Delegates at the annual convention of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) have debated a number of motions relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students.
"A licence to cheat" and a "minefield" were among the terms used by teachers to describe the potential for students to use AI to complete new non-exam elements of the redeveloped Leaving Cert.
Pupils sitting the Leaving Cert in 2027 will submit project work known as Additional Assessment Components (AACs) worth at least 40% of their final grade in certain subjects.
A recent ASTI/ REDC survey of 1,591 teachers found that an overwhelming majority expect difficulties verifying that the work has been completed solely by students.
Watch: ASTI delegate says new AI system will encourage students to become lazy
ASTI delegate Michael McGrath said the new system will encourage students to become lazy.
"People will think they can cheat and get 40%," Mr McGrath said.
"They'll all get full marks because teachers are going to risk being sued unless we get an indemnity," he added.
New AI advisory taskforce
Addressing delegates at the ASTI conference, Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton announced the establishment of an AI advisory taskforce for schools.
It is designed to provide a forum for engagement with education stakeholders, teachers' unions, management bodies, relevant agencies and experts to examine the evolving implications of AI for teaching, learning and assessment.
The taskforce will also inform the ongoing development of policy, guidance and supports in the area of AI in education.
Invitations for membership of the taskforce will issue this month, with the first meeting expected to take place in May.
"We will not leave schools to navigate artificial intelligence on their own," said Ms Naughton said.
"Building on existing policy and guidance, this taskforce will bring together teachers, school leaders and experts to shape clear, practical advice that supports high-quality teaching and safeguards the integrity of learning and assessment," she added.
Around 500 second-level teachers from across the country are gathering in Wexford for the ASTI conference which runs until Thursday.
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Pay and conditions
Amid soaring fuel prices, concerns around pay and the cost-of-living are expected to feature prominently at this year's convention.
Talks on a new public sector pay deal are due to begin in the coming weeks and a number of motions relating to wages will be debated by delegates.
One of the resolutions states that the ASTI should escalate industrial action in September unless there is a 6% increase to all levels of pay scales.
Another motion states that the ASTI should demand wage increases to match cost of living increases.
On the issue of teacher workload and stress, one motion up for debate calls for the establishment of an independent and mandatory audit of stressors and psychosocial hazards in second-level schools.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) began its annual congress in Killarney yesterday, with delegates hearing that teachers need a substantial pay settlement from any new pay deal to manage the impact of rising living costs.
The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) began its gathering in Kilkenny today.
