New research released by Microsoft Ireland, unveiled alongside Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless TD, points to a decisive shift in how digital technologies and AI are reshaping classrooms across Ireland. The study of 201 educators reveals strong momentum behind digital adoption, with 87 percent using technology to streamline workload and 81 percent reporting higher student engagement when digital tools are integrated into lessons.

Teachers show growing confidence in the potential of AI, with 72 percent supporting greater classroom use and 64 percent expecting AI to positively shape the future of education. However, capability gaps persist. Eighty three percent of teachers say they lack formal AI training, and uneven adoption across regions and school types continues to widen performance divides. Uptake of generative AI is progressing quickly in Northern Ireland, reaching 74 percent compared to 33 percent in the Republic.

Digital maturity also reflects a clear urban to rural gap. Sixty four percent of urban schools report fast transformation, falling to 34 percent in rural areas. Schools already advanced in their digital journey are using student devices across most lessons, while slower adopters remain limited by training deficits and inconsistent access to tools.

Microsoft’s expansion of the Dream Space Teacher Academy aims to bridge these gaps. The free, multi-week programme will provide AI literacy, responsible-use guidance and practical application strategies for teachers in the 2025 and 2026 academic year. Participants will receive digital accreditation and ongoing development opportunities, supporting a more coherent national approach to digital and AI-enabled learning.

The move aligns with new Department of Education guidelines that seek to integrate AI literacy across curricula and strengthen both initial teacher education and continuous professional development.

Explore the full article for deeper insights into the research and the programme’s next steps.