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undefined | ‘Teachers who use AI will replace those who don’t,’ Oireachtas committee chair warns

‘Teachers who use AI “will replace those who don’t,”’ warned Malcolm Byrne, the Fianna Fáil TD who chairs the Oireachtas committee on artificial intelligence. Speaking about the rapid emergence of generative tools in schools, Byrne said Ireland risks lagging behind if it does not have a clear, responsible framework for integrating artificial intelligence into the formal education system.

Byrne’s warning reflects growing anxiety among educators that AI‑savvy teachers will gain a decisive advantage in delivering personalised learning, assessing work and preparing students for a technology‑driven workplace. He argued that schools must move quickly to develop guidelines, training and safeguards so that AI enhances teaching rather than creating a divide between early adopters and those who remain cautious.

The committee’s message is a call to policymakers, the Department of Education and teachers’ unions to start a national conversation on curriculum updates, data‑privacy protections and the ethical use of AI in classrooms. If addressed promptly, Byrne believes Ireland can harness the benefits of AI while avoiding a future where teachers who ignore the technology are left behind.