Schools and AI

A study carried out by Dr. Ann Marcus-Quinn and Professor Selina McCoy (ESRI) was covered by the education correspondent Jess Casey for The Irish Examiner. 

Following a review of all second level schools in the country with a student population of over 1,000 (now 51 schools as of July 2024), a concerning trend has emerged: very few Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) are current for this academic year (AY24/25), with many still dating from pre-2020. These policies largely lack reference to recent technological advancements, particularly in relation to AI, which is absent from all AUPs reviewed. In addition to this analysis, we surveyed 1 in 7 school leaders, who highlighted significant challenges in keeping AUPs up-to-date amid fast-paced technological and AI developments. 

A major takeaway is the urgent need for updated, relevant guidance—especially given the limited support currently available from the Department of Education.