In a unique blend of classic literature and modern technology, students across Australia are engaging in a nationwide competition called “Win the Farm.” This program is a companion to George Orwell’s classic political fable, Animal Farm. As the book turns 80 years old this year, students will explore how social media bots shape our experiences. Through developing their own bots, participants will just explore how various configurations affect social media persuasion, especially in political scenarios.
Animal Farm, which came out in 1945, tells the tale of farm animals who successfully take over their farm from Farmer Jones. Led by pigs Snowball and Napoleon, the animals are determined to set up a peaceful, utopian society. But before long their utopia descends into a dictatorship of avarice, where the rich thrive at the expense of the poor. Orwell’s central warning about language’s ability to control the discourse is more relevant than ever in our digital public square.
Launching the Competition
We are a philanthropic organization. It’s committed to improving young people’s understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and is leading the charge on this “Win the Farm” competition. The new initiative aims to get schools on board with an immersive journey into AI’s societal impact. Ballina Coast High is one of the first schools in Australia to participate in this exciting, challenging and stimulating experience.
Participants will use Animal Farm as a jumping off point to design and construct social media bots. According to Day of AI Australia, bots accounted for 17 percent of social media engagement during the 2025 Australian Federal election campaign. These bots were clearly in the service of promoting some negative agenda. This concerning stat highlights the importance of knowing how bots swayed the election while technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace.
“So we are trying to get the students to think about: how do bots actually impact the social media world? How does it impact what you see in political environments and also non-political environments?” – female educator
Relevance of Orwell’s Message
The issues that were introduced in Animal Farm speak very loudly to our kids today, who are wrestling with a much more complicated digital landscape. Orwell’s famous quote, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” serves as a critical reminder of how power dynamics can distort truth. This mirrors complaints that many students have expressed about their inability to discern truth from falsehood in the online information landscape.
One student expressed the importance of discernment in media consumption, stating, “I think it absolutely matters because there is truth that needs to be told and if it’s all fake, how do you know the truth?”
When students learn how these social media bots work, they make some really valuable discoveries. These tips shed light on how bots can be weaponized to manipulate, deceive, and distract. John Livingstone, an educator involved in the project, acknowledged the uncertainty many young people feel regarding AI’s role in their lives.
“I guess young people themselves at the moment aren’t sure.” – John Livingstone
Navigating AI’s Challenges
Even as students eagerly adopt AI technology, educators like Hogue argue that proper use of the technology is essential. Koby Ross, one of the competitors in the competition warned against being too dependent on AI tools.
“AI is always going to be around, but we don’t want to use it too often because it can lead to problems.” – Koby Ross
Day of AI Australia equips youth with the skills to use AI safely and responsibly. It helps keep them in control, so they don’t get swallowed up by it. As one representative noted, “What we are very keen to do is to make sure our young people are empowered to use AI as a tool and that it is not controlling them.”
