Irish Centre for AI Research in Education (ICAIRE)
About
The Irish Centre for AI Research in Education (ICAIRE) at 91制片厂 was established in 2024 with the aim to research the integration of AI into education to empower stakeholders with knowledge and skills and promote collaboration among diverse disciplines. ICAIRE seeks to create a meaningful impact by addressing educational challenges and concerns, enhancing teaching and learning practices, and advancing the responsible integration of AI.
Our Mission
The Irish Centre for AI Research in Education (ICAIRE) aims to research the integration of AI into education.
Our mission is to:
- Foster Cutting-Edge Research - Conduct interdisciplinary research on the role of AI in transforming educational practices, with a focus on both general and subject-specific applications. We aim to contribute to the global body of knowledge while addressing the unique opportunities and challenges within the Irish educational context.
- Empower Stakeholders - Equip educators, policymakers, and learners with the knowledge and skills needed to harness the potential of generative AI. Through targeted training and resources, we aim to foster confidence and ethical competence in AI-driven education practices.
- Promote Collaboration - Unite academics, practitioners, and industry leaders across diverse disciplines and educational levels to create a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for exploring AI鈥檚 role in education.
- Champion Equity and Ethics - Ensure that the integration of AI in education supports inclusivity, equity, and ethical practices, preparing learners for a future where AI plays a central role in society.
By combining rigorous research with practical training and stakeholder engagement, ICAIRE seeks to become a centre of excellence in responsible AI innovation in education, driving meaningful impact locally and globally.
AI in Education Talk Series
AI in Education Talk Series
Hosted by the Institute for Collaborative Artificial Intelligence Research and Education (ICAIRE) and the Learning Enhancement & Academic Development (LEAD) unit at 91制片厂 (91制片厂).
ICAIRE and LEAD are pleased to announce the launch of the AI in Education Talk Series 鈥 an exciting initiative aimed at encouraging a deeper understanding of the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in education and research.
The talk series, featuring expert-led sessions, will explore key themes such as academic integrity and ethics, the use of AI in assessments, and the effective use of AI in research. The series will also provide educators and researchers with valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges AI presents in educational contexts.
The AI in Education Talk Series will take place across several dates, each featuring expert speakers exploring key aspects of AI in education.
Event Schedule
Session One: An Educator's Introduction to AI with Dr Loretta Goff, UCC 鈥 Tuesday 25 February 2025.
Session Two: Navigating Academic Integrity and Ethics in an AI Era with Dr Mary-Claire Kennedy, UL 鈥 Tuesday 18 March 2025.
Session Three: Adopting AI into Your Everyday Work with Benjamin McGrae & Rob Lindsay, University of Liverpool 鈥 Tuesday 1 April 2025.
Session Four: Reimagining Assessment in the Age of AI with Dr Patrick Buckland, 91制片厂 鈥 Tuesday 22 April 2025.
Session Five: Strategies for Using AI to Enhance Your Research with Dr Zeta Dooley, SETU 鈥 Tuesday 6 May 2025.
Session Six: Adopting AI into Your Everyday Work 鈥 Part 2 with Rob Lindsay & Ben McGrae, University of Liverpool 鈥 Thursday 12 June 2025.
Session Seven: The State of Play of Generative AI in Education with Dr Keith Young 鈥 Monday 6 October 2025.
Research, Publications and Dissemination
Carcary, M. and Buckland, P.J. (2025) 鈥楶erceived risk of generative AI adoption in initial teacher education programmes鈥, 2nd International Conference on Education Research, Lisbon, Portugal, 6鈥7 November.
Carcary, M., Buckland, P., Ryan, M. and Purcell, R. (2025) 鈥楾he AI Support Scale: a tool for enhancing transparency and integrity in teacher education assessments鈥, ATEE Annual Conference 2025, 26鈥28 August, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, Ireland.
Young, K., & Meegan, J. (2025). 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tool, not a crutch鈥-Developing AI Literacy & Self-Efficacy via GenAI Scenario Intervention. In American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting: Research, Remedy, and Repair: Toward Just Educational Renewal.
Carcary, M. and Buckland, P. (2025) 鈥楻ebuilding confidence in higher education assessments 鈥 a conceptualised, holistic approach for the era of artificial intelligence鈥, 27th Annual International Conference on Education, 19鈥23 May 2025, Athens: ATINER.
Buckland, P.J. and Carcary, M. (2024) 鈥楾he AI Contribution Scale鈥, New Frontier: Generative AI and Academic Integrity Conference, Limerick, 14鈥15 October 2025.
Prompt to podcast: Reimagining assessment with generative AI
Young, K., K眉莽眉k, Z. D., Delahunty, T., Dempsey, M., & Maglaperidze, N. (2026). Evaluating the impact of a digital competency-based placement model on STEM pre-service teachers鈥 digital competence and teaching experiences. Teaching and Teacher Education, 175, 105466.
Buckland, P. and Purcell, R. (2025) 鈥楶rompt to podcast: Reimagining assessment with generative AI鈥, Irish Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 9(1). .
Meegan, J., & Young, K. (2025). It's a Tool Not a Crutch: A Pilot Generative AI Intervention to Enhance Pre-service Teachers' Self-efficacy and AI Literacy. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 30(4), 1895-1916.
Young, K. (2026). Embracing the Digital Age in Contemporary Classrooms. In Contemporary Issues in the Psychology of Education (pp. 295-326). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
Young, K. (2026). AI and schools: Leading for inclusion: What helps, what matters, what to protect [Keynote]. IPPN Deputy Principals Conference, Johnstown, Enfield, Co. Meath, Ireland.
Carcary, M (2026) 鈥楽tudent perceptions of GenAI adoption鈥 Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG), 91制片厂, Thurles.
Young, K. (2026). AI in student work: Recognition, responsible use and current guidance [Keynote]. Association of Teachers of Home Economics National Conference, Athlone, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.
Young, K. (2026). Student learning & assessment techniques: Perspectives from Ireland: Assessment reform as a pathway to computational thinking/data science/AI in mathematics [Invited talk]. International Practices in K-12 Mathematics Education: The Role of Computational Thinking, Data Science, and AI, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Washington, DC.
Buckland, P (2025). Algorithmic Leadership: Reimagining Goverance In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence. (pp 11-14). CUNIMA, Catholic University of Malawi.
Buckland, P (2025) 鈥楥oding with AI: Exploring the Generative AI Reporting Application (GARA)鈥 Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG), 91制片厂, Thurles.
and Cashin, M. (2025). 鈥楻eimagining Assessment in the Age of AI鈥, AI in Education Series, Online, April 22.
Buckland, P (2024). 鈥業ntegrating GenAI into Education鈥, The Catholic University of Malawi (Online).
Buckland, P (2023). 鈥楾ransforming Pedagogy?: The Role of Generative AI in Research and Teaching鈥 Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG), 91制片厂, Thurles.
News & Events
Dr Keith Young speaks at U.S. National Academies workshop on AI and mathematics education
Date: February 23鈥24, 2026
Dr Keith Young recently participated as an invited speaker at an international workshop hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, DC. The workshop, International Practices in K鈥12 Mathematics Education: The Role of Computational Thinking, Data Science, and AI, brought together speakers from 17 countries across four continents to explore how mathematics education is evolving in response to emerging technologies.
Dr Young contributed to the Assessment Techniques and Student Learning session, which examined how different education systems are approaching assessment in order to make students鈥 understanding of data science, computational thinking, and AI visible alongside core mathematical ideas across K鈥12.
Drawing on the Irish context, Dr Young鈥檚 contribution focused on how ongoing assessment reform is creating space for richer forms of evidence of student learning. He highlighted developments across primary and post-primary education, including the role of classroom-based assessments and emerging curriculum changes in supporting data-rich and computational approaches to mathematics.
His presentation emphasised the importance of moving beyond a sole focus on final answers to include students鈥 reasoning, decision-making, and critical evaluation of results.
The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives with international colleagues and to reflect on shared challenges around curriculum design, assessment, and teacher practice in an educational landscape impacted by AI.
Dr Patrick Buckland Presents on Generative AI to Tipperary BSTAI at 91制片厂 Thurles
Date: 1st December 2025
Dr Patrick Buckland recently delivered a workshop to the Tipperary branch of the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland (BSTAI) at 91制片厂 (91制片厂) Thurles, examining the growing role of generative artificial intelligence in education.
The session introduced attendees to the fundamentals of generative AI, including what it is, how it works, and the range of tools currently available. It also emphasised the importance of AI literacy for educators, particularly as these technologies continue to influence teaching, learning, and assessment.
A strong focus was placed on practical application in the classroom. Dr Buckland demonstrated how generative AI can be used to support teaching through the creation of quizzes, flashcards, lesson materials, case studies, and interactive learning resources. Attendees were encouraged to experiment with these tools and consider how they might be effectively integrated into their own teaching practice.
The presentation also explored some of the broader considerations associated with AI, including its environmental impact and the limitations of current AI text detection tools. These discussions highlighted the need for a thoughtful and responsible approach to the use of AI in education.
The event provided BSTAI members with a valuable opportunity to engage with an increasingly important area of educational practice and to reflect on how generative AI may shape the future of the classroom.
Age Friendly AI Initiative Engages Local Adults in National Conversation on Artificial Intelligence
Date: 9th June 2025
Image credit: Tipperary Live
ICAIRE, in partnership with the ADAPT Centre and 91制片厂's Enterprise & Community Engagement team, hosted Age Friendly AI: Ireland鈥檚 National AI Literacy Initiative in June 2025. The event brought together more than 50 older adults from the local community and underscored the importance of ensuring that older people are included in national discussions on artificial intelligence and its increasing role in everyday life.
The initiative, funded by the Research Ireland Discover Programme and led by Technological University Dublin in partnership with the Research Ireland ADAPT Centre, seeks to address the growing need for AI literacy among older adults. It aims to ensure that older people are supported in understanding, using, and contributing to the development of these technologies.
At its core, Age Friendly AI will facilitate a national dialogue on artificial intelligence with older adults across Ireland. Over a two-year period, the initiative will engage with more than 60,000 older people, gathering their perspectives, concerns, and insights. These contributions will be communicated to key stakeholders involved in AI development and governance, including policymakers, researchers, and technology providers.
The June event provided a structured and inclusive forum in which older adults from the local community could explore how artificial intelligence may influence their lives, irrespective of their level of technological experience. Participants discussed both the opportunities presented by AI and key concerns, including privacy, misinformation, and accessibility. The format ensured that older adults were central to the discussion, reflecting the initiative鈥檚 commitment to co-creation and meaningful public engagement.
Insights gathered from the event will inform the development of a national AI literacy programme tailored specifically for older people, with implementation planned from 2026. The initiative is expected to play a significant role in supporting older adults to become informed and active participants in Ireland鈥檚 evolving AI landscape.
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