State of AI in WA Schools Forum
Are you a teacher or school leader interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Join us for a dynamic two-day forum exploring the role of AI in Western Australian schools. Hosted by the Fogarty Foundation and the Beyond Boundaries Institute (BBI), this event brings together teachers, school leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to share insights, ask big questions, and collaboratively shape how AI can support teaching, learning, and leadership in our schools.
Join us on 18th & 19th November at Curtin University
Discover What’s Ahead at the Forum
AI is Reshaping Education — Is WA Ready?
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way we live, work, and learn, bringing both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. In education, AI has the potential to reduce teacher workload, personalise learning, and better prepare students for the future of work.
Yet, as AI adoption accelerates nationally and globally, Western Australia risks falling behind. Many of our schools, educators, and students are still navigating what AI means for teaching and learning.Â
The State of AI in WA Schools Forum will gather 200 educators and school leaders for two days of learning and hands-on exploration. The forum will be a space to explore these questions together; openly, thoughtfully, and with a shared commitment to shaping a future where AI supports equity, innovation, and excellence in education.
Day 1
Sector Showcase and Practical Updates
Theme:
Understanding the Current Landscape & Learning from Early Adopters
Audience:
K-12 educators, school leaders, policymakers, interested education sector professionals, industry and general public.
Guests are welcomed on arrival and guided through registration, where they will receive their program materials and name badge. This is an opportunity to settle in, enjoy tea/coffee, and connect with fellow attendees before the formal proceedings begin.
We begin the event with an Acknowledgment of Country, paying respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, and recognising their ongoing connection to learning, knowledge, and community.
The welcome address will then take place by the Fogarty Foundation and Beyond Boundaries Institute. This opening session will set the tone and purpose of the Forum, welcoming participants and outlining the day’s focus on innovation, learning, and collaboration in education. Including a Ministerial Address, providing insights into current government priorities and initiatives shaping education in Western Australia.
Elizabeth Knight
Fogarty Foundation CEO
Cameron Thorn
Director of the Beyond Boundaries Institute
Moderated by Alex Jenkins (WADSIH), this session features a panel with leaders from the Department of Education WA, Association of Independent Schools of WA and Catholic Education WA, to provide an update on current sector developments, policy shifts, and collaborative initiatives across Western Australian schools.
Alex Jenkins
Director at WA Data Science Innovation Hub
Milanaa Heberle
Executive Director, Enterprise Governance and Partnerships for the Department of Education
Lindsey Allen
Digital Learning Consultant at Catholic Education Western Australia
A chance for participants to refresh, connect, and exchange ideas with peers.
Moderated by Cameron Thorne, this session explores practical applications of AI in schools or examines how inequities are emerging or being exacerbated. Panelists will share insights on equitable access, implementation strategies, and unexpected opportunities and risks.
Cameron Thorn
Director of the Beyond Boundaries Institute
Kara Bombell
Cofounder EthicAi & listed as one of the top 10 AI problem solvers in Australia
Moderated by Elizabeth Knight (Fogarty Foundation), this discussion features Sharath Sriram (Chief Scientist WA), and Dr Jake Renzella (UNSW's Day of AI). The panel will explore how Western Australia compares to national and international education landscapes, and what Australia can learn from how other education systems and industries are responding to AI.
Jake Renzella
Senior Lecturer, Co-Head of the Computing and Education research group, and Director of Studies for Computer Science at UNSW
Elizabeth Knight
Fogarty Foundation CEO
Sharath Sriram
Chief Scientist of Western Australia
An opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and discuss insights from the morning sessions.
A dynamic session featuring multiple academics presenting diverse research on AI, education and what the research shows to date. The panel highlights key findings, trends, and implications for schools and educators.
Dr Juliana Peloche
Senior Learning Advisor (AI Literacy) Centre for Learning and Teaching, Edith Cowan University
This breakout session will showcase early adopters and innovators from WA schools. Details on all sessions will be available soon.
Selena Dhondea-Tenakov
Coordinator - ECU UniPrep Schools
A short break for refreshments and informal discussion.
This breakout session will showcase early adopters and innovators from WA schools. Details on all sessions will be available soon.
Drew Mayhills
Chief Learning and Innovation Officer, AIM WA
Moderated by Minh Hoang, this session highlights the perspectives of young innovators. Participants will hear from students and emerging leaders, including contributors from arts, AI, and entrepreneurship, who will share their experiences, creative approaches, and insights on the role of AI in learning and youth-led projects.
Paris McNeil
Online safety speaker, workshop facilitator and lawyer
Minh Hoang
Community Coordinator, Bloom
The day concludes with reflections from the Fogarty Foundation and Beyond Boundaries Institute, summarising key insights and providing a preview of Day 2.
Annie Fogarty
Chairperson
Day 2
Professional Development & Collaborative Design
Theme:
Building Confidence, Capacity & School-Ready Practice
Audience:
Educators, school leaders, and ITE students are all encouraged to attend, as there will be tailored sessions for each group. A Day 2 ticket can be purchased on its own or together with a Day 1 ticket. After purchasing your ticket, you will be able to select which session stream to attend closer to the event. If multiple people from your school are attending, each person can choose a different stream, allowing benefit from all sessions.
Guests are welcomed on arrival and guided through registration, where they will receive their program materials and name badge. This is an opportunity to settle in, enjoy tea/coffee, and connect with fellow attendees before the formal proceedings begin.
Hosted by the Fogarty Foundation and Beyond Boundaries Institute, this session will set the tone and purpose of the Forum, welcoming participants and outlining the day’s focus on learning and professional development in education.
Elizabeth Knight
Fogarty Foundation CEO
Cameron Thorn
Director of the Beyond Boundaries Institute
Format
These are interactive workshops; attendees will need to bring a laptop and can access wireless internet at Curtin University.
Stream 1
Day of AI: Teacher PL
This session is recommended for teachers and educators with little to no prior experience working with AI.
This tailored session is designed for classroom educators, focusing on practical, classroom-ready ways to integrate generative AI into teaching and learning. Participants will build confidence in prompting techniques, explore strategies for assessment in the age of AI, and learn how to deliver Day of AI in their own classrooms.
Participants will experiment with using AI to support lesson design, scaffolding, and differentiation, while advanced participants will design inquiry-based learning using AI and data science, and engage critically with ethics and digital literacy.
Stream 2
Day of AI: School Leaders & AI Champions PL
This session is recommended for key school leaders, digital technologies and IT related staff.
This tailored session is designed specifically for school leaders and AI champions, providing a strong foundation in generative AI; what it is, how it works, and its implications for school strategy and operations. Participants will explore policy development, and new approaches to assessment in an AI-enabled world.
Through streamed activities, early-stage participants will draft a school AI policy, while advanced participants will engage with AI governance frameworks, explore the use of AI agents in school leadership, and test their thinking through real-world policy scenarios tailored to the WA setting.
Stream 3
Build with AI: WA Data Science Institute
This half-day, hands-on workshop is tailored for educators who are already using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot and want to take their skills to the next level. Participants will explore the full capabilities of generative AI and learn to integrate these tools into classroom practice.
The session focuses on practical applications to enhance student engagement, support personalised learning (including for neurodiverse students and students with special needs), and experiment with AI-supported assessment. Educators will also co-create AI-driven classroom resources, gaining actionable strategies to enrich learning outcomes while reducing teacher workload.
Please note that this is a half-day workshop. Once it concludes, you will have the option to join either Stream 1 or Stream 2 for the rest of the day.
Jake Renzella
Senior Lecturer, Co-Head of the Computing and Education research group, and Director of Studies for Computer Science at UNSW
Zach Wingrave
Education Program Consultant at Day of AI Australia
Alex Jenkins
Director at WA Data Science Innovation Hub
An opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and discuss insights from the morning sessions.
A short break for refreshments and informal discussion.
The day concludes with reflections from the Fogarty Foundation and Beyond Boundaries Institute, summarising key insights and providing details of further work within AI in WA schools.
Elizabeth Knight
Fogarty Foundation CEO
Cameron Thorn
Director of the Beyond Boundaries Institute
Download Your Attendance Request Email
We know that getting approval to attend professional learning opportunities may require a quick conversation with your Principal or Department Leader. To support you, we’ve created a ready-to-use email draft that you can download and personalise.
What the Numbers tell us
Driving Educational Innovation Together
The Fogarty Foundation has partnered with the Beyond Boundaries Institute (BBI) at All Saints’ College to deliver the State of AI in WA Schools Forum. BBI is recognised for its leadership in educational innovation and its ability to bring together educators, researchers and community leaders to explore and test new approaches to teaching and learning. Their expertise and networks make them an ideal collaborator for this forum, ensuring it not only highlights the opportunities and challenges of AI in schools, but also provides a space for practical, future-focused dialogue that empowers educators to adapt with confidence and creativity.
From Conversation to Action: A Vision for WA Schools and AI
This Forum marks the beginning of an ongoing journey toward building a future-ready, ethically grounded approach to AI in education across Western Australia. While the event convenes leaders and practitioners in Perth, it is designed as a precursor to targeted regional engagement. The Fogarty Foundation recognises the importance of ensuring that educators and school leaders across WA, whether metropolitan, regional, or remote, have equitable opportunities to access knowledge, tools, and support for responsible AI integration.
Secure your place today
Your voice matters, be part of shaping the future of AI in WA Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
- Increase awareness and understanding of AI in education by providing foundational knowledge to teachers, school leaders, and sector stakeholders.
- Highlight practical AI initiatives currently being implemented in WA schools, showcasing real-world applications and early successes.
- Deliver hands-on professional development that equips educators and leaders with the skills, tools, and confidence to integrate AI responsibly in classrooms and school operations.
- Foster a collaborative, cross-sector network of educators, industry experts, and policymakers to support ongoing learning and innovation.
- Assess the current landscape of AI literacy in WA schools through pre- and post-Forum surveys of teachers and school leaders, identifying strengths, gaps, and future needs.
The Forum is a two-day event bringing together educators, school leaders, government representatives, and industry partners to explore the ethical and practical integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in WA’s K–12 education system. It is led by the Fogarty Foundation and co-hosted with the Beyond Boundaries Institute.
This Forum is designed for K–12 teachers, school leaders, and education sector professionals across all WA education sectors (government, Catholic, independent, and specialist). It particularly supports early adopters of AI and those new to the space. A limited number of general public tickets are also available.
No. Sessions are designed for a range of experience levels. Whether you’re an AI novice or already experimenting in your school, there will be valuable insights and practical resources for you.
Yes! The event is committed to equitable access and strongly encourages participation from metropolitan, regional, and remote schools. Travel support options may be available—please contact us for more information.
- Day 1: Sector showcases, keynotes, and school-led breakout sessions sharing real-world AI examples
- Day 2: Streamed professional development workshops for teachers and leaders, with hands-on training and co-design sessions
Select sessions may be recorded or summarised for inclusion in the final report. If recordings are made available, registered attendees will be notified post-event.
Presenters include leaders from WA’s major education sectors, national leaders and experts in AI, Data Science and education. The full program will be announced in the coming weeks.
Yes! Schools using AI in interesting or emerging ways are encouraged to submit proposals for breakout sessions. Contact us before 1st October 2025 to be considered.
Yes. Morning tea and lunch will be provided on both days.Â
Key sessions, including keynote speeches, panels, and presentations, will be recorded. However, the professional development sessions will not be recorded due to their interactive nature.
As we announce presenters for the forum, we will also share free resources that are already available to support professional development and AI literacy in schools. This forum is just the beginning; we hope to collaborate with schools to increase AI literacy across WA. If you have any questions about future professional development opportunities, resources, or connections, please get in touch.
We are very interested in gauging interest from regional schools and plan for the professional development to visit regional hubs in the future. We know that needs can differ significantly across regions, so one event can’t cover everything; regional engagements are a key way to ensure PD is tailored to each context.
We want to work closely with schools that are interested and ensure a range of voices informs our next steps in increasing AI literacy across WA, beyond the metro areas. If your school would like to get involved or stay updated on regional opportunities, please get in touch.
Due to the nature of this event, the Forum will be a no soliciting event.
We encourage industry and business owners to purchase a ticket to attend the Forum and contribute to the discussions if interested, however, selling or pitching AI products or solutions will not be allowed. The breakout sessions will primarily be a showcase and platform for schools to share what they are developing and delivering in their own communities, as such we will not be inviting expressions of interest from those selling AI products or solutions to present as part of the Forum.