The Urgent Need for AI Literacy

The transformative power of AI in education stands unmatched in our history. While it holds immense potential to enhance student learning and development, this potential can only be realised when both students and teachers understand AI's power, possibilities, and pitfalls. Yet currently, many educators have been left in the lurch, creating an urgent crisis in our educational system that demands immediate attention.

This crisis is particularly acute given the imminent rollout of the first tranche of reformed Leaving Certificate subjects in September 2025. While teachers' unions have made reasonable calls to delay implementation until proper AI training is in place, both the Department of Education and the NCCA appear determined to press ahead with the original timeline. This creates a deeply frustrating position for educators who must somehow implement new curricula while simultaneously grappling with unprecedented AI challenges—all without comprehensive, standardised training.

There's an AI elephant sitting in every Irish classroom, and we can no longer pretend it isn't there. While teachers and students grapple daily with this new reality, educational leadership—the Department of Education, NCCA, and SEC—has acknowledged AI's presence and taken initial steps to address it. However, the scale and speed of AI's impact on education demands a more comprehensive response.

The Reality Behind Last Week's Headlines

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