We Can't Understand What We Can't See: The AI Capability Gap in Schools

Hi everyone,

Over the past few weeks I've had the pleasure of speaking with dozens of school principals across Australia. I've heard from them directly at events like the Australian Principals Federation AGM and the recent Victorian Academy symposium on Leading AI, and have been reflecting on the biggest challenges they're facing.

On the blog over the past few weeks I've written about shadow AI, chatbots, and policies, but there's another issue that keeps rearing its head: the gap in understanding the capabilities of AI systems.

For most people, AI is still "that chatbot thing that kind of works like a search engine". The reality is that companies are pushing ever-capable models that can automate entire systems, drive a computer, and work rapidly and constantly (and often in ways which are unsafe.)

Closing the gap between "what AI is" and "what we think AI is" should be a priority for all education providers, but it's no small challenge.

In this week's post I look at the problem, and offer a few solutions. And if that's not tempting enough, at one point I even make the bold statement that Microsoft Copilot might occasionally be useful:

Practical AI Leadership: A New Cohort for 2027

I’m launching Practical AI Leadership, a new online course and community for 2027.

Running across 20 weeks from February to July, the program is for people leading AI in schools, TAFEs/RTOs, universities, and other education organisations, whether by design or by accident.

Across six one-hour live online sessions, we’ll work through how to:

• Define your responsibilities, priorities, and what to delegate.
• Review your organisation’s current approach using a policy self-audit and community pulse survey.
• Develop practical approaches to governance, professional learning, and conversations with students and communities.
• Build a strategic AI plan for the second half of 2027 and into 2028.

Join individually, or bring colleagues from curriculum, IT, or leadership. Organisation packs and association or network rates are available.

Early bird places are AUD $1,620 + GST. Early bird closes 4th December 2026. The standard individual price is AUD $1,800 + GST.

​Explore the program and register your interest​

Cheers,

Leon

PS: Have you checked out the latest course at practicalaistrategies.com? Cyber Safety Project has produced an excellent short course for educators on Deepfakes and Synthetic Media. Check it out here.

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