AWS and Code for Schools partner to empower the next generation of Australia’s AI builders

Today, AWS and not-for-profit, EdTech provider, Code for Schools, announced a partnership to create the first locally developed, co-designed AI education program in Australia that will be available to all K-12 students and teachers across Australia’s public, independent and catholic schools, plus parents and carers.

According to the Department of Industry and Science, Australia is projected to create up to 200,000 AI-related jobs by 2030, with AI potentially contributing between $170 billion and $600 billion to our GDP. The AI revolution presents Australia with an unprecedented opportunity to lead globally in innovation and economic growth. However, there is a critical skills gap threatening this potential.

New data from an AWS study of 2,000 Australian individuals and businesses reveals that 39% of businesses cite lack of relevant skills as the primary barrier preventing them from adopting or expanding AI use.

The program will help to meet current and future needs for AI skills by equipping K-12 students, teachers, parents, and carers with AI skills and building literacy across key focus areas, including a) knowledge of fundamental AI concepts like what AI is and how it can be used safely, responsibly, and ethically b) hands-on experience with different AI tools and services, c) real-world case studies that show how AI is being leveraged across various industries, and d) engagement in problem-solving learning scenarios.

Without a doubt AI is the most transformative technology of our generation. If Australia is going to unlock the full potential of AI through innovative solutions and responsible adoption, it will be crucial to make AI education accessible to build our literacy, confidence and trust in the technology, from the ground up. – Louise Stigwood, Director of ANZ Public Sector, AWS

The program will be developed throughout 2025 in collaboration with industry experts, student voices and educators from across Australia, and through comprehensive feedback from select schools taking part in a pilot program, before launching nationwide in Term 1 of the 2026 school year via a national Learning Management System (LMS).

AWS and Code for Schools will work together to develop, update and deploy age-appropriate, locally developed content that aligns with the Australian education curriculum, while meeting the specific needs of users across the program’s three streams: K-12 students, teachers, and parents and carers.

Students using the program will have the opportunity to engage in modules that are aligned with their age and grade. Younger students will begin with building knowledge around fundamental AI concepts like what AI is and how they can use it responsibly and safely. As they progress there will be opportunities to get hands-on experience with different AI services, learn about real-world case studies that show how AI is being leveraged across various industries, and engage in problem-solving learning scenarios.

Through this partnership with Code for Schools, we are aiming to reach one million Australian students in the first three years of the program. – Megan Woff, CEO, Code for Schools

For parents and carers, they will have access to a range of resources that help demystify AI concepts like use of generative AI tools, responsible usage guidelines to inform how they can adopt and use AI tools responsibly themselves, and frameworks for supporting children's AI literacy and responsible use at home. Ensuring parents and carers have the right tools and knowledge to speak openly and confidently to their kids about AI is critical in ensuring we ensure responsible use and adoption, and build trust in this transformative technology.

By continuing to develop and evolve the program in our schools, AWS and Code for Schools is helping teachers, students and parents/carers stay aligned in their learning as AI evolves, creating opportunities for support and informed conversations building a foundation of AI literacy that will support future generations of innovators, leaders, and adopters to help strengthen Australia’s economic position globally.

Access to AI tools presents a unique opportunity for Aussie teachers. Not just in their role as educators and supporters for the next generation of Australian’s entering the workforce, but as a tool for their own professional development, driving day-to-day application to enable learning and wellbeing outcomes and supporting critical thinking in and outside of the classroom.

Whether it’s leveraging AI tools to develop tailored lesson plans, supporting inclusive learning through development of diverse learning materials, or simply building their own literacy to support their student’s learning, the opportunity for teachers is clear.

Teachers play a critical role in ongoing responsible AI adoption and innovation in Australian schools, but time constraints and a lack of mandated professional development for building AI literacy presents challenges in building a solid foundation on confidence and trust in the tech. – Megan Woff, CEO, Code for Schools

When launched, the new program will represent a significant step toward helping teachers build their confidence to leverage AI tools, ensuring they are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-powered future, and confidently take a leadership role in the responsible adoption of AI.

Since 2017, AWS has trained more than 400,000 people across Australia through initiatives like our Work-Based Learning Program and AI Ready initiative, which was developed to provide free AI skills training to two million people globally by 2025 – a goal that we met a year ahead of schedule.

Realising Australia's AI potential requires us to act now to develop the skills pipeline that will power our future success, beginning with our youngest learners. Building these foundational skills will help cultivate the next generation of technology professionals and provide the confidence needed to pursue further learning. We also offer more than 100 courses and learning resources on AI, ML, and generative AI available through AWS Skills Builder and AWS Educate—our digital learning centres for beginners to advanced learners.

Australia's culture of ambitious thinking, experimentation, and innovation positions it perfectly to lead in the global AI revolution—but only if we invest and develop the skills needed at all levels of society, starting with our youngest learners.

The new AI literacy program, in partnership with Code for Schools, is a key component of AWS's recently announced AI Spring program, designed to help Australia realise the full economic and productivity benefits of AI.

The AI Spring initiative includes multiple programs targeting different segments of Australia's economy, from the AWS Generative AI Accelerator supporting early-stage startups to the AWS AI Launchpad helping enterprises begin and accelerate their AI journey. By adding this comprehensive school-based AI literacy program, we're ensuring Australia builds a continuous pipeline of confident, AI-capable talent from classroom to boardroom.

AI Spring is further supported by our planned AU$20 billion investment in cloud infrastructure across the AWS Asia Pacific (Sydney) and AWS Asia Pacific (Melbourne) Regions by 2029, demonstrating our long-term commitment to Australia's digital future. Through AI Spring Australia, AWS is leveraging our world-class infrastructure, deep AI expertise, and security with guardrails to boost local productivity while nurturing a generation of AI innovators. Working together with the private sector, industry, and government, we can ensure Australia emerges as a global leader in responsible AI adoption, powered by a generation that's prepared to harness its full potential at every stage of their education and career journey.