The Australian education system is set for a major transformation over the next 3-5 years, driven by the integration of AI. Moving beyond initial bans, a national framework (AFGAIS) now encourages strategic AI adoption to reduce teacher workload and enable personalised learning. While states are developing their own AI tools (e.g., SA's EdChat, NSW's NSWEduChat), this creates a risk of exacerbating educational inequality due to a fragmented policy landscape.
 
The curriculum will shift to foster "AI literacy" and human-centric skills like critical thinking and creativity, as AI handles rote tasks. Students will experience personalised learning pathways, with AI acting as a "study buddy," while teachers will transition to roles as facilitators and coaches, freed from administrative burdens by AI tools. Key challenges include bridging the digital divide, providing comprehensive teacher professional development, and ensuring robust data privacy and ethical AI governance, particularly through department-owned, secure tools. The overall vision is a human-centric education system where AI augments, rather than replaces, the essential human elements of teaching and learning.