Ireland will host the international conference “Education in the Age of AI: Building Europe’s Digital Future” in Galway on 21 and 22 October, as part of the programme of events under Ireland’s EU Presidency.
The conference will examine the opportunities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, with a particular focus on strengthening AI literacy among learners and educators and supporting the safe, ethical and effective use of AI in teaching and learning.
As AI continues to develop rapidly, education systems across Europe are considering how best to equip teachers and learners with the knowledge and skills they need to understand, use and critically engage with these technologies. The conference will explore how a balanced, evidence-led and human-centred approach can ensure that AI enhances learning while protecting learners and supporting teachers.
The event which will be held over the course of a day-and-a-half will bring together policymakers, educators, students and national and international experts to share emerging practice, consider implementation challenges and explore how education systems can develop a common vision for AI literacy.
A strong focus will be placed on translating policy into practice, including what is needed at classroom level to support teachers and learners to engage with, create with and critically shape AI in a safe and responsible way. Students will also have an active role in the conference, ensuring that their perspectives and experiences are reflected in discussions about the future of AI in education.
Announcing details of the conference, Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton said:
“This conference provides Ireland with an important opportunity, as part of our EU Presidency, to share the work we are undertaking to support the safe, effective and responsible use of AI in education.
“This includes our Guidance on AI in Schools, the establishment of an External Advisory Taskforce on AI, and our involvement in the EU Technical Support Instrument project, FutureProof Education: Supporting Schools in the AI Evolution.
“AI is developing at an extraordinary pace, and our education system must ensure that teachers and learners have the knowledge, skills and confidence to engage with it critically and responsibly. Our focus must be on using AI to enhance teaching and learning, while ensuring that human judgement, creativity and relationships remain at the heart of education.
“This conference will bring together national, European and international expertise to look at what this means in practice, particularly in the classroom. It will provide an opportunity to share practical experience, learn from emerging developments and consider how we can ensure that no learner is left behind as AI becomes an increasingly important part of our digital future.
“I am particularly pleased that students will have a voice at the conference. Their experiences and perspectives are essential to ensuring that our approach to AI in education remains grounded in the needs of those at the centre of our education system.”
The conference will also provide an opportunity to highlight Ireland’s participation in the EU Technical Support Instrument project. UNESCO will present the findings of the AS IS Analysis, examining the current use of AI within the school system as part of this project.
Speakers from Ireland, the EU and internationally will share their practical experience, current work and emerging developments in AI and education, with discussions focused on moving from policy to practice and identifying the support required at classroom level.
The themes explored at the conference will support the implementation of the 2023 EU Council Recommendation on key enabling factors for successful digital education and training, and on improving the provision of digital skills and competences in education and training.
The conference will also complement the recently published AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education by the EU Commission and OECD as well as the European Commission’s guidance on the ethical use of AI in teaching and learning, the Council conclusions on teachers in the era of artificial intelligence, and the ambitions of the EU AI Act, which recognises the importance of promoting AI literacy.
Through dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange, the conference will consider how education systems can harness the opportunities presented by AI while managing its risks. It will focus on ensuring that teachers and learners are equipped with the knowledge, skills and support they need to navigate an increasingly AI-enabled world, while keeping inclusion, safety and the human dimension of education at the centre.
