Artificial intelligence will change how children learn in Irish schools, but the Minister for Education has warned that safeguarding children, both online and in the classroom must remain the priority.

Speaking on The Anton Savage Show, Minister Hildegarde Naughton said AI will have a “huge impact on society right across the world," bringing “really positive opportunities, but also challenges."

 “This is an ever-evolving space,” she said.

“We need to make sure that our laws are legally robust and that we’re keeping our children and our citizens safe online.”

Addressing concerns about AI-generated abuse material and social media platforms, Nocton was firm.

“The sharing of non-consensual intimate images is illegal in Ireland. The generation of child sexual abuse material is illegal.”

She urged the public to report concerns to Gardaí, Hotline.ie and platform providers, stressing:

“This is a really serious issue that government is responding to.”

Turning to education, Naughton said AI will change “how young people engage in learning” and how schools must prepare students for the future.

“We need to make sure that our education system responds to that,” she said.

She highlighted the launch of a National Conversation on Education, calling it “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” to rethink education in light of AI and changing work patterns.

“What are the skills our young people will need in the future?” she asked.

“How do we make sure they can develop, flourish and reach their full potential?”

“The experts are not just academics,” Naughton said.

“The experts are our students themselves.”

She recalled a primary school pupil who told the convention launch they wanted learning to be “more interactive - not just the teacher always talking."

“That was just an insight from a 10 or 11-year-old child,” she said.

“But it matters," she added.

Preschool girls and teacher reading storybook in classroom. Image: Connect Images / Alamy. 5 

While acknowledging pressures on schools, the minister said Ireland’s education system remains strong.

“We do a lot of things really, really well,” she said, noting Ireland ranks top in the EU for reading and above the OECD average in science and maths.

But she warned that standing still is not an option.

“The job for life is not so common anymore,” Naughton said.

“We need to be preparing our young people for a future that will be constantly evolving.”