Aug 27, 2026

Who gets to decide how AI is used in education? Government decides what happens to assessment. Google decides whether Gemini appears by default. OpenAI and parents decide controls for teenagers. Universities and unions decide workplace AI arrangements. Regulators decide expectations around consent. And schools are trying to work out what they should decide.

In this episode, Dan and Ray explore that question through a packed week of AI in education news. They look at Australia’s response to AI and take-home assessment, the arrival of parental controls in ChatGPT for Teens, and why Ray is uncomfortable with Google enabling Gemini by default for students.
The conversation moves from the classroom to the workplace, with Adelaide University putting AI transparency, human oversight and staff consultation into its enterprise agreement, while new ASQA guidance raises important questions about consent and the use of student data in AI systems.
They also unpack new Australian eSafety research into children’s use of AI assistants and companions, and tackle the increasingly heated debate about data centres, energy and water use.
As Ray puts it, “We’re building this plane as we fly it.” The challenge is making sure education still gets a say in where it’s going.

Here's the links to go deeper into our topics:

Watch: Moment robot beats Usain Bolt's 100m record in China

How education departments across the country are cracking down on students using AI to cheat
Education Minister Jason Clare says AI must support learning, not replace it
Revealed: The NSW universities using AI in lectures and as ‘study buddies’ 

AI labs begin to muscle in on $6tn education market

Datacentres: The New NSW Regulations

ChatGPT for Teens

Google turns on Gemini AI for students using its classroom app

An Australian first: Adelaide University's new enterprise agreement has explicit provisions on the use of AI in the workplace.

Australia's Vocational Education regulator starts to catch up with responsible AI

Talking to machines: Children’s experiences with AI assistants and companions
As discussed, good stuff on this from Tim kitchen
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-ai-becomes-someone-talk-tim-kitchen-3vznc