{"url":"https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html","title":"Teachers using AI will replace those who don't, Oireachtas chair warns","domain":"independent.ie","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/5306480/pexels-photo-5306480.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"teacher using AI","category":"Tech","language":"en","slug":"7b2ec054","id":"7b2ec054-ada8-4dc3-9e38-9ffe7d70cb84","description":"Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne warned that teachers adopting AI will edge out those who resist it.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne warned that teachers adopting AI will edge out those who resist it.\n- Byrne, chair of the Oireachtas AI committee, fears Ireland lags in responsibly integrating AI into schools.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n- AI must lead education debates now to avoid falling behind in a fast-changing tech landscape.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n\n## The story at a glance\nFianna Fáil TD **Malcolm Byrne**, chair of the Oireachtas committee on artificial intelligence, told a teacher conference that teachers using AI will replace those who do not. He raised concerns that Ireland risks falling behind on how to responsibly bring AI into formal education. The article reports this amid ongoing teacher talks on AI, pay, and exams, published on April 8, 2026.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)[[2]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/secondary-teachers-issue-stark-warning-that-leaving-cert-reforms-leave-examination-wide-open-to-ai-abuse/a514917861.html)\n\n## Key points\n- Teachers who use AI “will replace those who don’t”, according to Byrne.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n- Technology must be at the forefront of the education debate, Byrne said.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n- Ireland is at risk of falling behind discussions on responsible AI integration in the formal education system.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n- AI issue should be central to teacher conferences, classrooms, and society, per Byrne.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n- “This technology is changing the shape of society. This is not one where we have a long period of time to consider these issues,” he added.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n\n## Details and context\nByrne chairs the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, which has issued reports with recommendations like boosting AI literacy from primary school onward and ensuring equitable access to AI tools for teachers.[[3]](https://www.williamfry.com/knowledge/oireachtas-joint-committee-on-artificial-intelligence-publishes-85-recommendations-for-irelands-ai-future)\n\nThe warning came as Irish teachers raised AI-related worries at conferences, including risks of AI abuse in Leaving Cert projects worth up to 40% of grades from 2027 and broader fears over pay and funding.[[2]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/secondary-teachers-issue-stark-warning-that-leaving-cert-reforms-leave-examination-wide-open-to-ai-abuse/a514917861.html)\n\nNo full policy changes or data on current AI use in Irish schools were detailed in available coverage.\n\n## Key quotes\n- “Teachers who use AI ‘will replace those who don’t’.” — **Malcolm Byrne**, chair of the Oireachtas AI committee.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n- “This technology is changing the shape of society. This is not one where we have a long period of time to consider these issues.” — **Malcolm Byrne**.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html)\n\n## Why it matters\nAI adoption could reshape teaching jobs and methods across Ireland's schools, pushing for urgent national guidelines. Teachers and schools face pressure to upskill quickly or risk competitive disadvantage, while students gain from better tools if handled responsibly. Watch for government responses at teacher conferences or Oireachtas hearings, though firm plans remain unclear.","hashtags":["#ai","#education","#ireland","#oireachtas","#teachers","#technology"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teachers-who-use-ai-will-replace-those-who-dont-oireachtas-committee-chair-warns/a86904458.html","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/secondary-teachers-issue-stark-warning-that-leaving-cert-reforms-leave-examination-wide-open-to-ai-abuse/a514917861.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.williamfry.com/knowledge/oireachtas-joint-committee-on-artificial-intelligence-publishes-85-recommendations-for-irelands-ai-future","title":""}],"viewCount":3,"publishedAt":"2026-04-08T15:38:30.714Z"}