Optus launches first-of-its-kind Gen AI Workshop for students as part of Safer Internet Day 2025 initiatives

Thousands more primary and secondary students are also participating in national virtual sessions. Schools are encouraged to register for the virtual workshops by visiting the Digital Thumbprint website.

Expanding digital literacy with generative AI (Gen AI) workshops

As part of its ongoing commitment to digital education, Optus is introducing new facilitator-led workshops on Gen AI in 2025. These sessions will equip students with an understanding of AI tools, their real-world applications, and the benefits and challenges of emerging technologies.

Optus is the first Trusted eSafety Provider to offer a standalone session focused on AI’s role in online safety, helping young people navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.

To support families in these conversations, Optus is also launching a new Gen AI guide. This resource provides clear, accessible insights on distinguishing AI from Gen AI, understanding its everyday uses, and addressing the complexities of AI’s impact on daily life.

Optus Sydney Campus Two-Day Summit

In addition to the February workshops, Optus will host a two-day summit at its Sydney campus, bringing together youth, educators, industry experts, corporates, not-for-profit and government stakeholders.

From 9-10 April, up to 300 students will attend the summit featuring interactive workshops, panel discussions with student leaders, and hands-on activities exploring AI’s role in shaping the future of online safety.

Day two of the summit will dive deeper into digital safety and digital inclusion. With one in four Australians still being digitally excluded, a key focus of discussions will centre around multi stakeholder collaboration to address critical barriers to inclusion such as device access.  

These initiatives are part of Optus’ continued commitment to enhancing digital safety and inclusion, ensuring that young people, educators, and families are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the evolving digital landscape.

Optus Senior Director, Group Sustainability, Helen Maisano said: “For more than a decade, our Digital Thumbprint Program has equipped hundreds of thousands of Australian students with the tools they need to stay safe online.

“As technology evolves, so too do the risks. The use of Generative AI is growing rapidly and while it has many positive benefits, it can also deepen existing challenges such as cyberbullying and misinformation.

“Through Digital Thumbprint we engage with thousands of young people every year, and this gives us front row access to what they say are there biggest challenges online.  Our new Gen AI resources will educate and prepare young people to navigate these challenges, and support adults to have informed conversations.”

eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant said: “Safer Internet Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of education in fostering digital resilience and safer online communities.

“It’s encouraging to see our Trusted eSafety Providers throwing their support behind Safer Internet Day by helping make the online world a safer, more positive place.

“We can all play a role in making the internet safer by being respectful to others online and by reporting cyberbullying and abuse to the platform and then to esafety.gov.au.”

“Initiatives like Optus’ Digital Thumbprint Program provide practical tools that empower young people, families and seniors to have safer, more positive online experiences.”

Optus’ Digital Thumbprint Program offers free, curriculum-aligned workshops facilitated by experts. Schools can register for workshops via the Digital Thumbprint website.

Media contact:
Nicky Bonin
Optus Corporate Affairs
02 9037 8179
media@optus.com.au