The Teachers' Union of Ireland has called on the Government to intensify engagement on the threats and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence in the education system.
The TUI said that departmental guidelines and regulatory safeguards should be formalised and regularly assessed and updated to ensure the education system is in no way "outpaced" by AI.
The union said that the potential of AI to reduce the significant administrative burden in the teaching profession should be fully explored.
It is also warning however that the technology must not be allowed to replace or displace the work of teachers or lecturers.
The TUI is hosting a conference on AI in education in Mullingar today.
"Every effort must be made to ensure that we maximise the positives that AI can potentially provide and work to limit and control the range of risks that arise," said TUI President David Waters.
"In terms of opportunities, the potential of AI to reduce the ever-growing administrative burden on educators should be fully explored.
"In a number of surveys, our members have cited bureaucratic overload as an ever-increasing and demoralising distraction from teaching and learning, one that in many cases is driving teachers and lecturers from the profession," Mr Waters said.
"Overall, we must embrace the positive benefits of AI and ensure that any risks are adequately mitigated and policed," he added.
