Unlock the future by empowering students in the age of AI
Across Australia, students are diving into the cutting edge of technology through the Optus Digital Thumbprint program – a free series of innovative Australian curriculum-linked national workshops.
These highly interactive workshops are specifically designed for primary and secondary students, introducing young people to the incredible world of Generative AI, while powerfully reinforcing the importance of digital safety and online literacy skills.
Our workshops are perfectly aligned with key national initiatives, making them even more impactful for your students:
- National Science Week (9 - 17 August): Explore the fascinating science behind AI and digital safety.
- Bullying No Way: National Week of Action (11 - 15 August): Equip students with powerful strategies to help combat cyberbullying and build a kinder online community.
- Scams Awareness Week (25 - 29 August): Support your students with scam-spotting pro-tips, helping to protect them from online deception and fraud.
- R U OK? Day (11 September): Spark vital conversations about digital wellbeing and the importance of supporting one another online.
These engaging workshops help young people understand how AI is already an integral part of their daily lives – from predictive text and streaming suggestions to smart assistants and facial recognition.
They will also learn how Generative AI takes things one step further. This special kind of artificial intelligence can create entirely new content like images, stories, music, and even video.
The workshops also shine a critical light on the risks associated with Generative AI. Deepfakes – realistic but fake images, audio, or video – can be entertaining, but they can also be used to deceive or spread harmful content. Students learn practical strategies and are given a handy checklist to help them spot a deepfake – all the while encouraging them to question anything online that seems too good, or too strange, to be true.
Digital safety and online literacy skills remain a core focus throughout the workshops. Students are continually reminded of essential practices like using strong passwords, keeping personal information private, and thinking critically before sharing content online.
They’re also strongly encouraged to turn to parents, teachers, or trusted adults when something doesn’t feel right, reinforcing the vital message that it’s always okay to ask for help with cyberbullying, cybersecurity, or digital balance concerns.
To further support a holistic understanding, resources are also available for parents to help them navigate AI and guide their children on how to use this incredible new technology. You can find these valuable tools at Resources – Families – Digital Thumbprint.
Optus Digital Thumbprint is provided at zero-cost to schools and students, and has been endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.
Join us in Term 3!
These free workshops, tailored for primary and secondary students across Australia, are an invaluable resource for your school. Register now for the Primary and Secondary Workshops.
As technology continues to evolve, programs like Optus Digital Thumbprint help ensure that young people aren’t just passive users; they’re confident, curious, and capable digital thinkers, ready to achieve, thrive and belong in the digital world.
Do you have an idea for a story?Email rcox@intermedia.com.au
