Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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217. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy and or guidance developed and disseminated by her Department to schools and teachers on the use of AI by students, particularly in cases where there is a possibility of students submitting work in homework, assessments and or continual assessment and or examinations of which they are not the author of and have relied on AI to generate answers; whether she or her Department have considered what the appropriate use by students of AI is; if there is a danger of falling standards as a consequence of the use of AI by students; if she and or the State examination commission have conducted an impact assessment in the context of the CAO points system as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16381/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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There is a need to ensure careful consideration about the use of AI in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment, and that teachers and school leaders have the necessary resources and information to support them. While AI has the potential to enhance education and inclusion, there are also issues and challenges with its use. Education and training have a key role to play in promoting the safe, effective and ethical use of AI, in line with data privacy/protection, and relevant legislation, regulation and guidelines.

When used responsibly, in a planned and informed way, AI has the ability to support teaching and learning, and to help students achieve their potential. In order to support teachers and school leaders in this area, the Department of Education with the support of Oide Technology in Education (OIDE TiE), the support service for teachers and school leaders, is currently developing guidance on the use of AI in teaching and learning. It is intended that this guidance will be published and circulated to schools shortly. The guidance will provide information on the opportunities and risks associated with the use of AI and highlight what should be taken into consideration to inform schools and teachers in educating on AI and considering the use of AI and that it done in a safe, ethical and responsible manner. It is important to note that the guidance will not address the use of AI in assessment.

Since the 2023 examinations, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has included an instruction in relation to material generated by artificial intelligence (AI) software in its documentation. The requirement for any material generated by AI software to be appropriately referenced is in line with the approach taken currently by the SEC. The arrangements for the acceptance and authentication of coursework for the state examinations are outlined in Circulars S69/04, S68/08 and S76/22 and in the individual subject specific circulars which issue annually from the State Examinations Commission (SEC).

The recently published Additional Assessment Component Guidelines, in each of the subjects being introduced through the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme, includes information about referencing material generated by AI software in the development of the coursework. Further subject specific guidance on the permitted use of generative AI in Additional Assessment Components will be provided in future SEC documents.

In addition, the SEC is currently in the process of commissioning research into the use of Generative AI in the context of teacher based and external central assessment in the Senior Cycle of education in the Irish State, having regard to the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme.

This research will consider both the unique opportunities and challenges associated with generative AI in the context of assessment for certification. In particular, it will explore how the use of generative AI, and possible approaches to allowing or restricting it, impact on assessment integrity. It will also examine how generative AI might support improved assessment processes.

Currently, information for schools on AI in education can be found on the OIDE Technology in Education (OIDE TiE) website on their dedicated AI hub. This includes resources developed through participation by OIDE-TiE in an EU project, AI4T, the EU Ethical Guidelines for Using AI in Teaching & Learning, and the UNESCO Guidance for generative AI in education and research. OIDE-TiE will continue to develop resources to support teachers, and teachers already engage with such professional learning supports as part of their ongoing teaching practice. Research, EU and national regulatory changes, and insights from Coimisiún na Meán will continue to guide the Department's efforts to support schools and teachers in navigating the challenges and opportunities AI brings to education. The Department of Education will continue to examine what other Member States are doing in this space.