AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce to be established

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton today (Tuesday) announced the establishment of the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce as a decisive step in the department's ongoing work to consider the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching, learning and assessment across the school system.

This also delivers on a commitment in the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures document published last May to establish such a group.

The taskforce will provide a structured forum for engagement with key education stakeholders, teachers' unions, management bodies, relevant agencies and experts to examine the evolving implications of AI for teaching, learning and assessment and to inform the ongoing development of policy, guidance and supports in this evolving area.

Invitations for membership on the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce will issue this month to all relevant education stakeholders, with the first meeting of the taskforce expected to take place next month (May 2026).

Announcing the establishment of the taskforce at this year's teachers' conferences Minister Naughton said:

"The establishment of the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce is an important step to ensure our education system stays ahead of rapid technological change and delivers for both teachers and students.

"We will not leave schools to navigate artificial intelligence on their own. Building on existing policy and guidance, this taskforce will bring together teachers, school leaders and experts to shape clear, practical advice that supports high-quality teaching and safeguards the integrity of learning and assessment.

"Our priority here is simple: to equip teachers with the tools and confidence they need, while ensuring every student benefits from innovation in a way that is fair, safe and inclusive."

Continuing, Minister Naughton said:

"AI brings significant opportunity, but also real risks. That is why we are taking a balanced, evidence led approach, grounded in the experience of educators and focused on delivering tangible supports in classrooms. This taskforce will help ensure that Ireland's response is responsible, forward looking and centred on the best possible outcomes for our students."

The taskforce will also build on wider national and European work in this area. This includes Ireland's participation in the EU-funded Technical Support Instrument project, Futureproof Education: Supporting Schools in the AI Evolution, which is supporting the development of policy advice, guidance and practical tools for the ethical and evidence-informed use of AI in school education.

The taskforce will in the first instance focus on Assessment (summative and state certified), while also progressing work on Teaching, Learning and Formative Assessment. As AI continues to evolve, the taskforce will support the Department in considering the implications for these areas, including relevant work in progress through the State Examinations Commission (SEC). This will include consideration of how best to support teacher confidence and competence in the pedagogical use of AI, how to strengthen students' digital and AI literacy, and the implications of AI for assessment.

The taskforce will be outcome-focused and will support the delivery of tangible outputs on agreed priority areas, including reports and recommendations to inform future policy, guidance and supports for schools. Its work will draw on ongoing developments at national, European and international level, including work across the education system through Oide Technology in Education (Oide-TiE) and other relevant agencies, engagement with school management bodies, teacher unions and other key education stakeholders, and consideration of developments in other EU Member States.

"The taskforce's initial priority areas reflect where AI is already beginning to raise important questions for schools, teachers and learners. I welcome the recent engagement between my department and teacher unions, which has underlined the importance of continued structured engagement with stakeholders on this issue. By bringing together key education stakeholders and relevant experts, the taskforce will help ensure that the department's response is informed by practical experience, ongoing work across the education system, and emerging national and international developments."

Notes to editors

• The AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce will support and advise the Department of Education and Youth on matters relating to the use of AI in the education system.
• The taskforce will provide a structured forum for on-going engagement with key education stakeholders and relevant experts to help inform policy, guidance and supports relating to AI in education.
• In its initial phase, the taskforce will focus on Assessment, including summative and state-certified assessment, while also progressing work on Teaching, Learning and Formative Assessment.
• The taskforce will take a phased approach to its work, with further thematic areas to be considered over time.
• Invitations for membership on the taskforce will issue this month to all relevant education stakeholders, teachers' unions, management bodies, relevant agencies and experts.
• The first meeting of the taskforce is expected to take place next month (May 2026. With relevant experts and academics in to present and have discussions around specific topics.
• The work of the taskforce will build on activity already underway across the department and the wider education system, including the publication of Guidance on AI in Schools, supports for schools, and wider national and European work in this area.
• This includes Ireland's participation in the EU-funded Technical Support Instrument project, Futureproof Education: Supporting Schools in the AI Evolution, which is supporting the development of policy advice, guidance and practical tools for the ethical and evidence-informed use of AI in school education.
• The taskforce will prioritise representation from those bodies most directly connected to teaching, learning and assessment i.e. management bodies, teacher unions, SEC, Oide, NCCA, NCSE and relevant agencies.
• In May 2025, the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures (SCRISM) document was published. It included a commitment that the department would '.. establish a task force to examine the appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching, learning and assessment relevant to SCR. .... The task force will focus on the appropriate and ethical use of AI in education, especially in relation to SCR (inclusive of pedagogy, assessment and administration).'

Further information on the membership, Terms of Reference and work programme of the taskforce will be made available in due course.

Some Key References

• Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools - Published 21st October 2025:

https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/dee23cad/Guidance_on_Artificial_Intelligence_in_Schools_2025.pdf

• The AI Hub supports teachers and school leaders engaging with AI

https://www.oidetechnologyineducation.ie/ai-hub/

• European TSI Project for safe, ethical and meaningful use of AI in schools

https://www.oidetechnologyineducation.ie/projects-initiatives/european-tsi-project-for-safe-ethical-and-meaningful-use-of-ai-in-schools/

• Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures - Published 8th May 2025

https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Senior_Cycle_Reform_Implementation_Support_Measures.pdf