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Generative AI

Overview

The rapidly evolving developments in Generative AI (GenAI) continue to have an impact on education with the potential to change the way we teach and learn. The capabilities of these technologies to create text, images, code, audio and video if used responsibly and with clear intention can support and enhance learning. However as educators we must be cognisant of key concerns across the teaching and learning higher education landscape particularly those in the context of academic integrity and plagiarism. Also the concerns raised about the impact of the over-reliance on GenAI and on students’ critical thinking, writing abilities and the acquisition of foundational knowledge remain valid. 

This set of web pages serve as continually evolving resources which provide context, support for understanding GenAI tools broadly, the GenAI landscape at UCD, and support for GenAI and assessment and will help educators navigate the use (or non-use) of GenAI.

Current GenAI Activities

During this academic year we are currently offering a number of activities for faculty, staff and students within the realm of GenAI in teaching, learning and assessment. As outlined below these include professional development webinars, workshops and practice sharing events, GenAI research and exploratory groups and a GenAI student-staff forum. 

Events: Workshops & Webinars

Workshops will be in two ‘streams’ - internally and externally focused. Internal will be practical workshops/webinars for UCD while external will bring in wider expert voices on GenAI from the national and international higher education sector. As we confirm events we will update here for each trimester.

Trimester 1 2025-26

Date/Time

Format

Title 

Audience & Booking

27 Nov 2025
(1-2pm) 

Webinar

The State of GenAI in Irish Higher Education 
Dr James O’Sullivan, Higher Education Authority

Faculty and staff please book here

Trimester 2 2025-26

Date/Time Format Title Audience & Booking
20 Jan 2026
1-2pm
Online Generative AI in Teaching and Learning Student-Staff Panel Discussion 

- UCD Staff please book here

- UCD Students please book here

27 Jan 2026
2-3pm
Webinar Generative AI in Higher Education Speaker Series:
Dr Martin Compton

- UCD Staff please book here

- UCD Students please book here

5 Feb 2026
10-11:30am
In Person Workshop A Programme Approach to Generative AI in Assessment

- UCD Staff: Please book here

24 Feb 2026
2-3pm
Webinar Generative AI in Higher Education Speaker Series:
Dr Marie Heath

- UCD Staff please book here

- UCD Students please book here

24 Mar2026
3-4pm
Webinar Generative AI in Higher Education Speaker Series:
Dr Carter Moulton

- UCD Staff please book here

- UCD Students please book here


T&L Generative AI Interdisciplinary Research Group

This initiative, which is underway, brings together faculty representatives from each UCD College to form a community of practice that will serve as a platform for cross-disciplinary discussion, reflection, and sharing of insights through an academic publication about the realities of working in an AI-influenced educational environment. 

T&L Generative AI Tool Exploratory Special Interest Group (SIG)

The rapid advancement of GenAI technologies and emerging tools necessitates responsible engagement through exploration, experimentation, and reflection on their practical implications for pedagogical practice. This initiative affords a practical exploratory opportunity of using GenAI tools within teaching practice. Simultaneously, the initiative will also bring together a special interest group of those involved which will facilitate discussion and sharing practical experiences of using GenAI tools while offering a platform for sharing of practice across UCD. 

Student - Staff Forum on GenAI for Teaching and Learning

With the assistance of our Student Partners in Teaching and Learning we will organise online and in-person panel events for both students and staff to discuss and share insights and experiences of using GenAI with the broader UCD student and staff community. Once these forums are scheduled we will share information here but in the meantime if you are a staff member or a student who is interested in participating in these panels please get in touch: leone.gately@ucd.ie