The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked fears among teachers that it could compromise the integrity of the Leaving Cert.
That’s according to the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) who say it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell if someone has used AI in their school projects.
As coursework becomes more of a focus in the Leaving Cert, TUI are voicing their worries over how they can authenticate each student’s final year project work when AI is so accessible.
For years, coursework has played a role in the Leaving Cert grading system, with subjects like history requiring students to submit research projects that make up part of their final results.
However, teachers are now struggling with the challenge of verifying whether students’ work is genuinely their own or enhanced by AI.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, TUI representative Michael Gillespie said it is a growing conversation among teachers.
“There are real concerns about the ability to authenticate student submissions,” he said.
“If AI tools are used to complete research projects, not all students may have equal access to the same quality of assistance, which could distort the grading system.”
From September, all senior cycle students will have to submit research projects across their subjects, which opens up an opportunity to use AI at home for these assignments.
Gillespie described the ongoing Leaving Cert changes as “highly complex” and said he has reservations about the rapid pace of its implementation.
“We had agreed to a more gradual transition, but new challenges – AI among them – have emerged,” he noted.
TUI are calling on the Government to act on these changes and to put safe guards in place to ensure that each student’s work is their own.
The Department of Education has not formally addressed these concerns or released a statement yet.
More to follow.
