Fifth Years Engage in AI Workshop with Dr Jim O’Mahony

On Monday 23 February, our 5th Year students had the opportunity to attend an insightful and highly relevant workshop delivered by Dr. Jim O’Mahony, focusing on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in completing the Leaving Certificate Additional Assessment Components (AACs).

As AACs now form a significant element of assessment across a variety of Leaving Certificate subjects, this session provided students with practical guidance on how AI can be used effectively and responsibly to support their research, planning and drafting processes.

Dr. O’Mahony shared clear and practical tips on:

  • Using AI tools to structure research

  • Refining questions and improving clarity of written work

Importantly, the workshop also emphasised the ethical and responsible use of AI. Students were reminded of the necessity of acknowledging AI use in their referencing, ensuring transparency and academic integrity in line with assessment guidelines.

The session also explored wider considerations surrounding AI, including:

  • Privacy and data protection

  • Misinformation and reliability of sources

  • Bias in AI-generated content

  • Environmental impact

  • Ethical implications

The workshop encouraged students to think critically about both the opportunities and limitations of AI, empowering them to use technology as a support tool rather than a substitute for their own thinking and creativity.

We would like to sincerely thank Dr. O’Mahony for delivering such an engaging and informative session. Thank you also to Ms Catherine Coughlan for organising this enriching event for our students.  As our 5th Year students continue to prepare for their AACs across subjects, the knowledge and skills gained from this workshop will undoubtedly support them in producing high-quality, responsible and reflective work.

Maria Brosnan