Future Ready with AI

Interested in learning practical AI tools and insights at UQ? Join us for an engaging full-day professional development event designed to equip educators with the skills and knowledge to lead the future of learning using Artificial Intelligence.

This two day event will focus on empowering educators with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to integrate AI into their teaching and assessment practices. Participants will explore the fundamentals of AI, hands-on prompting techniques, practical classroom activities, assessment redesign, and real-world applications. With a focus on integrating AI into content-based learning and developing students' problem-solving and logical reasoning in the classroom, this workshop offers interactive demonstrations, collaborative discussions, and actionable strategies to help teachers harness the potential of AI while maintaining academic integrity and supporting meaningful learning outcomes.

Event: Future Ready with AI
Date: Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 July 2026
Travelling to join us? Why not look into our discounted accommodation partner: Essence Suites Taringa

• 15% discount valid for stays on 28th, 29th and 30th July 2026.
• Use code: Future Ready for our special rate.

Essence Suites website

What you will receive: You will receive a certificate of participation, access to all tools, websites and software used during the PD for teachers and students in the Education QLD Environment, a copy of teaching resources and ongoing educational support beyond the PD

Schedule - Day 1

8:45 am: Welcome

We will meet at the University of Queensland in Collaborative Room (20-273) at the Global Change Institute.

9:00 am: Presentation

• AI in Education Perspectives - Dr Luke Zaphir, philosopher and learning designer, will lead an inspiring session on making AI accessible for educators. Learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, discover how large language models work, and explore the ethical and practical considerations of using AI in education. Interactive polls and live demonstrations show how AI can enhance teaching by scaffolding learning and sparking creative ideas.

10:00 am: Morning Tea

Enjoy morning tea in the Atrium.

10:30 am: Masterclass

• Generative AI Prompting Masterclass - Professor Jason Tangen has been exploring the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence through his research and teaching for many years. His videos and community have been early showcases of possibilities which have inspired academics internationally. In this Masterclass Professor Tangen will demonstrate a range of opportunities and invite you to explore ways you can improve your teaching and your students’ learning with Generative AI tools.

12:00 pm: Lunch

Enjoy a delicious lunch in the Atrium.

12:45 pm: Hands-on Workshops

• Teaching with Text Generators -  Dr Leah Henrickson, lecturer in Digital Media and Cultures who studies digital storytelling for critical self-reflection, will explore student engagement with AI in this hands-on session. Participants will experiment with popular, free generative AI systems through a series of adaptable classroom activities designed to develop students’ communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Each activity will be followed by reflective questions that encourage deeper consideration of generative AI and emerging technologies. No prior experience with generative AI is required - just enthusiasm for discovering what these systems can do.

Schedule - Day 2

8:45 am: Welcome

We will meet at the University of Queensland in Collaborative Room (20-273) at the Global Change Institute.

9:00 am: Presentation

• Assessment redesign for Generative AI - Professor Jason Lodge, Professor of Educational Psychology and Director of the Learning, Instruction, and Technology Lab in the School of Education at The University of Queensland, will lead this interactive presentation exploring how the rapid rise of Generative AI tools has challenged many traditional assessment practices in higher education. Participants will examine the core capabilities of Generative AI that are driving this change, analyse how assessment tasks may need to be adapted or fundamentally reimagined in response to AI technologies, and engage in a forward-looking discussion on the short-, medium-, and long-term implications of Generative AI for student assessment in Queensland Education.

10:30 am: Morning Tea

Enjoy morning tea in the Atrium.

10:30 am: Hands-on Workshops

• Demystifying AI - Professor Tim Miller, Professor of AI, will lead an engaging workshop designed specifically for teachers to build their AI literacy and confidence. This session will demystify AI, introduce the latest advancements, and unpack their implications for teaching, learning, and assessment. No prior knowledge of AI, machine learning, or statistics is required, making it ideal for educators at all levels. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in education, participants will gain practical insights into how AI works (it’s maths, not magic!), how it is evolving, and what it means for supporting students in responsible assessment practices while upholding academic integrity. This is a valuable opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and develop the knowledge needed to guide students in ethical and effective AI use.

12:30 pm: Lunch

Enjoy a delicious lunch in the Atrium.

1:15 pm: Hands-on Workshops

• From Prompts to Practice -  Dr Aneesha Bakharia, Senior Lecturer in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Queensland, will lead this dynamic workshop on the practical and emerging applications of AI in education. In this workshop, participants will gain practical insights into how AI can transform teaching and learning, examine real-world examples, and develop strategies for integrating AI tools effectively and ethically in educational contexts.

Registrations coming soon