By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Pictured attending AI Policy & Risk: The Way Forward for Ireland at Griffith College’s South Circular Road campus are Alan Smeaton, Michael-Philippe Bosonnet, Neil McDonnell, Sana Khan, Jeanette Garcia Kola, David Korowicz, Labhaoise Ní Fhaoláin and Sewali Ghosh. The Griffith College Business & Innovation Hub event centered on insights from leading experts on the future of AI in education.
Leading the Vision for Education in Ireland and EU
Griffith College’s Business and Innovation Hub recently hosted a series of public events centred on AI, what it is, and what it means for the future.
Griffith College hosted the final instalment of the AI4VET4AI event series on 4th October 2024. It is a cutting-edge European-funded research project dedicated to establishing a transnational platform for AI in education and training excellence. This concluding event focused on policy and brought together some of the influential voices in AI to discuss the future landscape of AI policy in Europe.
Michael-Philippe Bosonnet, Research and Innovation Director at the Hub, said: “As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across Europe, the need for robust and forward-thinking policies has never been greater.”
About the Project
The AI4VET4AI Erasmus+ research project covers 11 European countries and has over 26 HEIs, secondary schools, FET providers and corporate businesses involved. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across Europe through the AI Act, the need for robust and forward-thinking policies has never been greater.
Project research has indicated that 52% of European educators believe that artificial intelligence will have a transformative impact on education and training within the next five years, while 40% of educators surveyed reported using AI-powered tools for personalised learning experiences in their classrooms.
The project has previously explored critical AI areas such as higher education, human resources, and diversity. This final event covers the policy and risk dimension, offering a unique platform to discuss the regulatory frameworks that will guide the integration of AI into Education systems across Europe.
Speakers
Speakers included:
Keynote Speaker: Professor Alan Smeaton
(Founding Director, Insight Centre for Data Analytics DCU, Professor of Computing at DCU, Government of Ireland AI Advisory Council)
Alan shared his insights on the intersection of AI, policy and education, drawing from his extensive experience in AI research and his role in advising the Irish Government on AI strategy.
Featured Speaker: David Korowicz (Director of Risk and Response at the Geneva Global Initiative, Human Systems Ecologist & Physicist)
David explored the broader societal risks associated with AI integration, particularly on how it might influence critical infrastructures, economic stability, and societal resilience. His insights offered a critical perspective on how AI policy can address these challenges.
Featured Speaker: Dr Susan Leavy
(Assistant Professor, UCD School of Information and Communication Studies & Member of the Government of Ireland AI Advisory Council)
Susan explored the ethical challenges and opportunities in AI, particularly focusing on mitigating bias and discrimination in AI systems. She discussed how these issues influence education, and the development of AI policies rooted in human rights and social justice.
Featured Speaker: Labhaoise Ní Fhaoláin
(PhD Researcher in AI Governance UCD, Solicitor, SFI Researcher, Law Society’s Technology Committee)
Labhaoise delved into the governance of AI, exploring how policy can balance innovation with ethical considerations in vocational training.
Featured Speaker: Sana Khan
(DPO & Head of Data Governance Affairs – National Broadband Ireland, Society of King’s Inns -Lecturer at Griffith College
Sana discussed the legal implications of AI in education, focusing on privacy, data protection, and compliance in the evolving AI landscape.
About Griffith College Business and Innovation Hub
Griffith College’s Hub is a leading centre for innovative research and development in Ireland, committed to advancing knowledge and driving impactful change in sustainable entrepreneurship, education, AI, and health. The Hub is pivotal in fostering collaboration, supporting cutting-edge research projects, and contributing to growth and grassroots support for SMEs across Ireland.
