Seek, and you shall find

PROF. RICHARD PAGE, CHAIR OF COUNCIL

As we come to the pointy end of the school year, with exams over and Summer ahead of us, there is a lot to reflect on and to celebrate. In this article, I look at the importance of developing informed views; the impact algorhythms and AI have on the facts we are delivered, and our own responsibility to continue to seek independent information and educate ourselves.

Digital technology is part of most people’s daily lives. We are heavily reliant on its convenience, the ease with which we can complete daily tasks such as shopping online, searching for information, or booking a holiday - and that’s only a snapshot of potential uses.

However, the humble smartphone is a tool few of us truly understand. That small device that fits in our pocket, and goes everywhere with us, gives us more potential than the massed national university computing power of the 1960s.

We undeniably live in a digital age, with a digitally enabled ‘Jetson’ lifestyle. It brings with it tremendous power, convenience and joy as it enables us to communicate, search, entertain and even order food to be delivered to our door.

Some of the parents, friends, Old Collegians and staff will remember the line ‘Beam me up, Scotty’. Captain Kirk would flip out his Transponder and Communicator and request ‘Scotty’, the Chief Engineer on Star Trek to transport him up to the Starship Enterprise.

In 2023, this once-futuristic world has become our norm; the only thing missing is transportation through space. The rest is a reality that we have in our hands and take for granted in our daily lives.

Underpinning this is the wonderful science of Artificial Intelligence, or AI. There is much debate about the role of AI in our lives and its impact on a range of issues from social interaction, creativity, employment and car safety – to the future role of humans in decision-making.

To test this, I have put AI to the test in writing part of this article. It was adapted from this year’s Valedictory Speech, and created with the assistance of Chat GPT. See if you can work out when it starts and ends!

As you stand on the cusp of a new chapter in your lives, it is impossible to ignore the profound impact that Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has on modern society.

AI has permeated every facet of our lives, from the way we communicate and travel, to the industries we work in and the decisions we make. Its presence is ubiquitous, and its potential is boundless.

In our interconnected world, AI is the driving force behind the personalised recommendations we receive on social media, the efficiency of supply chains that keep our stores stocked, and the autonomous vehicles that promise safer and more sustainable transportation.

It has revolutionised healthcare, helping doctors diagnose diseases more accurately, and it plays a pivotal role in addressing global challenges like climate change and pandemics.

However, with great power comes great responsibility. As Valedictorians, you must recognise the ethical and societal implications of AI. We are the stewards of this technology, and it is our duty to ensure that it is used for the betterment of humanity, while safeguarding against its misuse and the erosion of privacy.

The place of AI in modern society is undeniably central. It is a tool that has the potential to unlock incredible possibilities and reshape our world in ways we cannot yet fully fathom.

As we move forward in our academic and professional journeys, let us harness the power of AI responsibly, ethically, and with a keen awareness of its implications. Let us ensure that our society reaps the benefits of AI while preserving the values that make us human.

The above text took less than two seconds to generate, and I think you might agree, it is pretty close to the mark. Some may even say it’s better than the remaining, humangenerated text in this piece!

However, there was something missing.

Whilst the AI piece contained the key messages I sought to deliver, it did not contain any personal experience, emotion or humanity.

Distinguishing features of ‘being human’ include the need to socialise, the ability to ask questions and the drive to explore the world around us. It is the thing that leads the great explorers across oceans, jungles and deserts, to the depths of the seas, the top of the highest mountains, to the extremes of the world we live in and outer space beyond. The desire to explore and go beyond, asking questions and seeking answers in the name of discovery, is distinctly human.

We are undeniably influenced by what is presented to us on our smartphones. What we see across all forms of media has become part of our daily lives - for better or for worse.

Understanding how the information is generated and fed to us, and identifying the biases or inaccuracies that might come with the information, is crucial. To have a balanced understanding of the issues of the day is important.

The current era of clickbait journalism feeds on this human need for information as news media seeks to stay afloat in an increasingly fast-paced, competitive market. Providers utilise data, statistics and algorithms to tailor the information you receive; the process is designed to create a circular echo chamber of information likely to appeal to the reader. It rarely offers a balanced perspective and the accuracy of the information presented can also be questionable. The consequences of this cannot be underestimated when it comes to influencing individual beliefs and public opinion. It was highlighted as a key issue during the recent referendum on ‘The Voice to Parliament’.

It is critical to challenge the information presented to us and question its accuracy and balance.

• Does it represent a fair and considered view?

• Or is it just the repetition of one side of a discussion?

• How will the information impact people on either side of the equation?

These questions are particularly relevant to our Year 12 students as they transition beyond the classroom and into the next phase of their lives. From this point on, it is their responsibility to educate themselves on the facts of issues and current affairs. As each topic presents itself, each person must gather the information they need, filter it, and use it to form, inform and support their views.

Whilst the weight of this obligation cannot be underestimated, it is also important to acknowledge that leaving school is also an exciting time in the lives of our outgoing Year 12 students. The world is their oyster, one to be celebrated and enjoyed. We simply hope that they will seek and utilise the information they gather wisely, kindly and with humanity. For, when we achieve this balance, we gain control of our own destiny. We also gain the ability to be a positive influence in shaping the destinies of those around us.

To all in the College community, on behalf of Council, I wish you well as the school year races to its end and we move from this year into the next. To our School Leavers, good luck as you launch into the Digital Age. May your futures continue to be bright, innovative, and full of promise. Who knows, hand-held space transportation may be just around the corner.