Google Ireland is backing two new education programmes on artificial intelligence aimed at supporting AI literacy among thousands of Irish students.
The initiatives – Experience AI, co-developed by Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind, and AI Literacy in the Classroom – are designed to give students and teachers essential AI skills.
Experience AI will provide classroom resources and professional development for teachers to help them teach up to 14,000 students about AI and the changes the technology is bringing.
“AI is rapidly shaping our world, and we believe every young Irish student deserves the opportunity to understand and engage with this transformative technology,” said Obum Ekeke, Google DeepMind’s head of partnerships.
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“By making AI education more inclusive, we can help young people make more informed decisions about using AI applications in their daily lives, and encourage safe and responsible use of the technology.”
Funded by a €360,000 grant from Google’s charitable arm Google.org, Raspberry Pi foundation is working with Kinia in Ireland to provide interactive content in Irish and English.
Kinia chief executive Marianne Checkley said the programme was a “unique chance” to access immersive content that combines real-world relevance and the future view of artificial intelligence.
Research centre Adapt, meanwhile, will lead the AI Literacy in the Classroom programme, which aims to boost AI literacy among secondary schoolteachers and help students to use AI critically, thorough practical means such as workshops and online resources created in partnership with teachers.
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The initiative will guide students to safely and ethically use AI tools, and teach the technology in a responsible manner.
Adapt director Prof John Kelleher said teachers were excited to bring AI into the classroom but found it daunting if the right supports were not in place.
“We want to make sure they can use AI tools confidently and critically, so both teachers and students can thrive in this AI-driven world. This initiative reflects Adapt’s commitment to real-world education and ensuring we’re equipping the next-generation to embrace the future as responsible digital citizens.”
The new programmes are part of a global effort by Google to increase education and digital literacy around AI. Last month, the foundation announced more than $25 million in funding to support teachers and students in developing AI skills.
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“AI has the power to reshape our approach to society’s biggest issues, promising extraordinary breakthroughs that can improve billions of lives. That’s why we want to equip Ireland’s young people and educators with the skills needed to understand and navigate this transformative technology,” said Vanessa Hartley, head of Google Ireland.
“Our support for Kinia and Adapt underlines our commitment to making AI literacy accessible across Ireland, ensuring that students are prepared to shape an AI-enabled future that benefits all of society.”
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