Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail the (i) use; and (ii) development, by (a) her Department; and (b) its arm’s-length bodies, of Artificial Intelligence products.
Minister of Education: The use and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as Microsoft (MS) Copilot to support departmental business is currently under consideration by my department.
A range of purposes are being considered, including the analysis of consultation responses, the summation of lengthy published and unpublished reports, researching policy across jurisdictions and legislative interpretations, assisting the preparation of minutes of meetings, reviewing and revising departmental policies, procedures and guidelines, amongst other administrative tasks.
The use of AI in my department, is subject to staff oversight and follows the guidance in the NICS AI Policy – Securing Maximising the Benefits of Artificial Intelligence.
In schools, a specific example of AI under development is the RAISE Programme, which provides schools with an opportunity to see how AI tools can support literacy. The Reading with AI Research Project will assess the effectiveness of evidence-based AI literacy tools on improving reading outcomes.
While CCMS, CnaG, GTCNI report that they are yet to consider how AI might support business practice, NICIE and MCA are using AI products, such as MS Copilot to support business efficiencies, CCEA are considering how generative AI can be used in areas such as multimedia and graphic design and the EA reports it is developing an AI strategy to guide adoption.
EA is also working with schools on the effective use of two Generative AI tools MS Copilot and Google Gemini and EdIS.
C2k has been leading a strategic and operational programme of work focused on the safe, ethical, and impactful integration of Generative AI across the education sector in Northern Ireland, with staff across EA now using MS Copilot to support productivity, collaboration, and innovation.
ENDS
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