Irish Centre for AI Research in Education (ICAIRE)
About
The Irish Centre for AI Research in Education (ICAIRE) at Mary Immaculate College was established in 2024 with the aim to research the integration of AI into education to empower stakeholders with knowledge and skills and promote collaboration among diverse disciplines. ICAIRE seeks to create a meaningful impact by addressing educational challenges and concerns, enhancing teaching and learning practices, and advancing the responsible integration of AI.
Our Mission
The Irish Centre for AI Research in Education (ICAIRE) aims to research the integration of AI into education.
Our mission is to:
- Foster Cutting-Edge Research - Conduct interdisciplinary research on the role of AI in transforming educational practices, with a focus on both general and subject-specific applications. We aim to contribute to the global body of knowledge while addressing the unique opportunities and challenges within the Irish educational context.
- Empower Stakeholders - Equip educators, policymakers, and learners with the knowledge and skills needed to harness the potential of generative AI. Through targeted training and resources, we aim to foster confidence and ethical competence in AI-driven education practices.
- Promote Collaboration - Unite academics, practitioners, and industry leaders across diverse disciplines and educational levels to create a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for exploring AI’s role in education.
- Champion Equity and Ethics - Ensure that the integration of AI in education supports inclusivity, equity, and ethical practices, preparing learners for a future where AI plays a central role in society.
By combining rigorous research with practical training and stakeholder engagement, ICAIRE seeks to become a centre of excellence in responsible AI innovation in education, driving meaningful impact locally and globally.
AI in Education Talk Series
AI in Education Talk Series
Hosted by the Institute for Collaborative Artificial Intelligence Research and Education (ICAIRE) and the Learning Enhancement & Academic Development (LEAD) unit at Mary Immaculate College (MIC).
ICAIRE and LEAD are pleased to announce the launch of the AI in Education Talk Series — an exciting initiative aimed at encouraging a deeper understanding of the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in education and research.
The talk series, featuring expert-led sessions, will explore key themes such as academic integrity and ethics, the use of AI in assessments, and the effective use of AI in research. The series will also provide educators and researchers with valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges AI presents in educational contexts.
The AI in Education Talk Series will take place across several dates, each featuring expert speakers exploring key aspects of AI in education.
Event Schedule
Session One: An Educator's Introduction to AI with Dr Loretta Goff, UCC — Tuesday 25 February 2025.
Session Two: Navigating Academic Integrity and Ethics in an AI Era with Dr Mary-Claire Kennedy, UL — Tuesday 18 March 2025.
Session Three: Adopting AI into Your Everyday Work with Benjamin McGrae & Rob Lindsay, University of Liverpool — Tuesday 1 April 2025.
Session Four: Reimagining Assessment in the Age of AI with Dr Patrick Buckland, MIC — Tuesday 22 April 2025.
Session Five: Strategies for Using AI to Enhance Your Research with Dr Zeta Dooley, SETU — Tuesday 6 May 2025.
Session Six: Adopting AI into Your Everyday Work – Part 2 with Rob Lindsay & Ben McGrae, University of Liverpool — Thursday 12 June 2025.
Session Seven: The State of Play of Generative AI in Education with Dr Keith Young — Monday 6 October 2025.
Research, Publications and Dissemination
Carcary, M. and Buckland, P.J. (2025) ‘Perceived risk of generative AI adoption in initial teacher education programmes’, 2nd International Conference on Education Research, Lisbon, Portugal, 6–7 November.
Carcary, M., Buckland, P., Ryan, M. and Purcell, R. (2025) ‘The AI Support Scale: a tool for enhancing transparency and integrity in teacher education assessments’, ATEE Annual Conference 2025, 26–28 August, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, Ireland.
Young, K., & Meegan, J. (2025). “It’s a tool, not a crutch”-Developing AI Literacy & Self-Efficacy via GenAI Scenario Intervention. In American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting: Research, Remedy, and Repair: Toward Just Educational Renewal.
Carcary, M. and Buckland, P. (2025) ‘Rebuilding confidence in higher education assessments – a conceptualised, holistic approach for the era of artificial intelligence’, 27th Annual International Conference on Education, 19–23 May 2025, Athens: ATINER.
Buckland, P.J. and Carcary, M. (2024) ‘The AI Contribution Scale’, New Frontier: Generative AI and Academic Integrity Conference, Limerick, 14–15 October 2025.
Buckland, P., & Carcary, M. (2026). Navigating the AI-Education Nexus: Mitigating Academic Integrity Challenges in the Era of Generative AI. Irish Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 9(1).
Young, K., Küçük, Z. D., Delahunty, T., Dempsey, M., & Maglaperidze, N. (2026). Evaluating the impact of a digital competency-based placement model on STEM pre-service teachers’ digital competence and teaching experiences. Teaching and Teacher Education, 175, 105466.
Buckland, P. and Purcell, R. (2025) Prompt to podcast: Reimagining assessment with generative AI, Irish Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 9(1).
Meegan, J., & Young, K. (2025). It's a Tool Not a Crutch: A Pilot Generative AI Intervention to Enhance Pre-service Teachers' Self-efficacy and AI Literacy. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 30(4), 1895-1916.
Young, K. (2026). Embracing the Digital Age in Contemporary Classrooms. In Contemporary Issues in the Psychology of Education (pp. 295-326). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
Young, K. (2026). AI and schools: Leading for inclusion: What helps, what matters, what to protect [Keynote]. IPPN Deputy Principals Conference, Johnstown, Enfield, Co. Meath, Ireland.
Carcary, M (2026) ‘Student perceptions of GenAI adoption’ Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG), MIC, Thurles.
Young, K. (2026). AI in student work: Recognition, responsible use and current guidance [Keynote]. Association of Teachers of Home Economics National Conference, Athlone, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.
Young, K. (2026). Student learning & assessment techniques: Perspectives from Ireland: Assessment reform as a pathway to computational thinking/data science/AI in mathematics [Invited talk]. International Practices in K-12 Mathematics Education: The Role of Computational Thinking, Data Science, and AI, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Washington, DC.
Buckland, P (2025). Algorithmic Leadership: Reimagining Goverance In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence. (pp 11-14). CUNIMA, Catholic University of Malawi.
Buckland, P (2025) ‘Coding with AI: Exploring the Generative AI Reporting Application (GARA)’ Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG), MIC, Thurles.
and Cashin, M. (2025). ‘Reimagining Assessment in the Age of AI’, AI in Education Series, Online, April 22.
Buckland, P (2024). ‘Integrating GenAI into Education’, The Catholic University of Malawi (Online).
Buckland, P (2023). ‘Transforming Pedagogy?: The Role of Generative AI in Research and Teaching’ Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG), MIC, Thurles.
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