AI in Everyday Life
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just something people talk about for the future. It’s already part of everyday life. That’s exactly what students discovered when Commonwealth Bank partnered with Day of AI Australia to deliver a hands-on learning experience to regional NSW schools.
Year 7 and Year 10 students from Inverell High School and Macintyre High School took part in interactive sessions designed to make AI simple and practical. Students explored what AI is, how it works, and how to be responsible, safe, and ethical users of the technology. From voice assistants and streaming suggestions to online shopping and banking apps, the day helped students explore how AI is already helping people every day by making things faster, easier, and more personalised.
At CommBank, AI is also used to help keep customers safe. It can detect unusual activity, prevent fraud, and protect people’s money, while also improving digital banking experiences. Through the program, students were encouraged to question what they see, think critically, and understand how technology is shaping the world around them, no matter what career they choose.
Day of AI Australia is a free, national program developed in partnership with MIT and UNSW Sydney. It’s designed to help teachers and students from Kindergarten to Year 12 build foundational AI knowledge and skills in a practical, engaging way. In 2025, over 244,000 Australian students participated, and the program continues to grow. CommBank’s involvement in Inverell is part of a broader commitment to reaching students in regional communities who might not otherwise have access to this kind of learning.
The Human Skills AI Can’t Replace
While AI is powerful, there are some things it simply can’t do. During the Day of AI sessions, students explored the importance of human skills like critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, teamwork, creativity, empathy, and problem-solving.
These skills are just as important as understanding technology. They help people work together, think creatively, and solve real-world challenges. Things that machines can’t fully replicate, and key skills for workplaces like CommBank.
The program focused on building confidence and critical thinking, and encourages students to share ideas, ask questions, and collaborate. Whether it’s working on school projects, playing sport, or getting involved in the community, students are already developing these skills every day without realising it.
The future of work isn’t just about knowing how to use AI. It’s about knowing how to work alongside it. The students who will thrive are those who can combine technical awareness with the qualities that no algorithm can replicate: curiosity, judgement, empathy, and the ability to communicate well with other people.
From Regional Classrooms to Real Careers
The experience also opened students’ eyes to a wide range of career opportunities. Through a panel session, they heard about different pathways at CommBank and how AI is influencing industries far beyond traditional banking roles, spanning technology, cybersecurity, data, engineering, and more.
For students in regional NSW, this kind of direct exposure to industry professionals and career pathways is valuable. Many of the roles that will define the next decade, AI specialists, data analysts, cybersecurity professionals, and digital product designers, weren’t careers that existed in the same form when today’s teachers were at school. Bringing those conversations into regional classrooms helps bridge a gap that geography can sometimes create.
Students also learned about practical pathways into these careers, including CommBank’s Indigenous School-Based Banking traineeship program. This program offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the chance to gain real-world experience, build skills, and earn while they learn, without having to wait until after school to get started.
Representation plays a big role in helping students see what’s possible. By working with partners like the Clontarf Foundation, STARS Foundation, and Deadly Coders, CommBank is helping young people, especially those in regional communities, see bigger career possibilities and feel confident pursuing them.
The day didn’t stop at learning either. Students applied their new knowledge by designing ideas for the 2026 Day of AI Student Challenge, using AI to solve real-world problems and turn ideas into action.
Start Exploring Your Future
Programs like Day of AI Australia show that the future isn’t something to wait for. It’s already here, and students today have the opportunity to help shape it.
AI literacy is quickly becoming as important as reading and writing. Understanding what AI is, how it works, and where it fits into different industries is no longer something that can wait until university or the first day of a job. Starting that learning early, in a hands-on and practical way, makes a real difference.
For those curious about AI, future careers, and the skills that matter most, CommBank’s Explore Careers page is a great place to start. It provides access to work experience opportunities, Human x AI skills learning, and insights into what it’s like to work in an organisation at the forefront of technology and innovation.
👉 Learn more about CommBank here
