The Digital Education Conference (DEC 2024) took place on December 10-11 at South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford, Ireland, bringing together educators, students, and stakeholders to explore the role of digital innovations in education.
Among the highlights was Dr. Daithí Ó Murchú’s presentation on The Implementation of AI4EDU in Primary Education: A K12 Pilot Study, which showcased how artificial intelligence is transforming classroom experiences. Dr. Ó Murchú’s presentation provided an in-depth look at the AI4EDU initiative, a pilot study conducted in K12 classrooms across Ireland, exploring the potential of AI to personalize learning, improve student engagement, and support teachers through innovative tools.
The K12 pilot study revealed several promising outcomes, demonstrating that the integration of AI tools significantly enhances student engagement and academic performance. Teachers reported improvements in classroom interactivity and collaboration. Personalized AI-driven learning experiences enabled students to receive targeted support based on their individual needs. However, the study also highlighted challenges, including accessibility issues and the need for extensive teacher training, which were addressed by offering professional development programs and ensuring equitable access to AI technologies across different schools.
The conference attracted a diverse audience, with approximately 150 teachers, 50 students, and 350 stakeholders in attendance. Participants actively engaged in discussions about scaling AI4EDU nationwide and addressing policy-level challenges to ensure a smooth integration of AI in educational settings. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the practical applications and transformative potential of AI in primary education. The event fostered collaborative discussions on further scaling AI implementation across the country and exploring policy frameworks to support it. Dr. Daithí Ó Murchú’s contributions at DEC 2024 emphasized the growing importance of AI in primary education.
