‘Children need to think for themselves’ — Former Tipperary teacher calls for AI classroom ban
A Tipperary councillor and former primary school teacher has called for a national moratorium on the use of generative AI by primary school students.
Independent councillor John O’Heney said that children need to be able to think for themselves, and not learn to rely on AI from an early age.
He added that Ireland should take inspiration from New York, which has placed a moratorium on the use of generative AI software for students from pre-school, right up to 8th grade, the equivalent of second year in secondary school in Ireland.
Older students will be introduced to AI in a more controlled way, with adult supervision, and carefully vetted programmes.
“From my time as a primary school teacher, I have always believed that children learn best through interaction, discussion, reading, writing, problem-solving, creativity and, above all, relationships with their teachers and classmates,” Cllr O’Heney said.
“That is why I believe Ireland should seriously consider adopting a policy similar to New York City’s new approach to artificial intelligence in schools.
“I would like to see the Department of Education consider a national moratorium on student-facing generative AI at primary-school level, followed by tightly controlled and age-appropriate use in secondary schools,” he added.
Tipperary councillor John O’Heney is a former primary school teacher.
“I am not anti-technology and I am certainly not anti-AI. Our children will live and work in a world where AI will be increasingly important, and our education system must prepare them for that reality,” the independent councillor said.
But, he added that “preparing children for AI does not mean putting AI in front of them from an early age”.
The former teacher said that children need to learn to read, write, spell, calculate and reason before technology does the work for them, and that independent thinking needs to be encouraged in classrooms.
The move would also help children to develop their creative skills, as well as reducing their dependence on screens.
“AI is developing at an extraordinary speed. A temporary pause would allow Ireland to properly examine the educational, developmental, privacy and social implications before widespread adoption,” Cllr O’Heney said.
“We should not be afraid of technology. We allow the excitement around AI to run ahead of what is educationally best for our children,” he added.
Classrooms should remain places where children can think for themselves, ask questions, get answers wrong and learn from one another, Cllr O’Heney added.