On 20 June 2025, Ulster University’s Belfast campus hosted the fourth National Conference on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education (GenAIEdu 2025).
GenAIEdu 2025, which was sold out, provided a well-rounded and timely exploration of how generative AI is challenging the way we learn, teach and assess and how it is impacting on the workplace.
The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Exploring the challenges, practicalities, pitfalls, and opportunities of using Generative AI in education’, framed a programme of talks, keynote addresses, discussion panels and live demonstrations.
The keynote session from Damian Harvey (EA C2k) and Sammy Taggart (Ulster University) focused on the recently released Trailblazing NI Report on the EdIS/C2k GenAI Proof of Concept project with local schools.
Organised by the School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, and delivered in partnership with South West College and supported by BringITON, the event brought together educators, researchers, technologists, students, and industry professionals to examine the growing impact of generative AI in educational settings.
The conference, chaired by Michael Callaghan and Joanne McGovern, explored a range of generative AI technologies, including leading large language models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok and various co-pilot tools and AI agents. Speakers highlighted how these systems are enabling new forms of personalised and interactive learning, facilitating automated feedback and content generation, and supporting both learners and teachers in various ways.
A key feature of GenAIEdu 2025 was the return of the Practitioner Showcase and Networking Event, which highlighted innovative practice and real-world AI applications in local schools and classrooms.
For educators, researchers, teachers, students and industry professionals attending the conference, it provided a gateway to understanding how generative AI is revolutionising the way we learn, teach and assess. It also showcased best practice in the use of AI in the classroom to improve AI literacy and future proof employability prospects for the region.
The conference programme featured an impressive line-up of speakers highlighting the variety and depth of expertise in the region demonstrating how AI can be meaningfully integrated into day-to-day teaching practices.
Damian Harvey - Interim Head of EA C2k at Education Authority said:
"If we are to land AI in schools, we need to ensure that we embed it successfully and safely with teachers. We can theorise all we want around how best to achieve that. It's only when co-designing professional development opportunities with those who know best, the teachers themselves, do we really get traction on how best to achieve this. The GenAIEdu conference creates a space for meaningful dialogue, helping educators explore the challenges, opportunities, possibilities and pitfalls of AI in education.”
Professor Stephen Farry and Professor Jodie Carson, Strategic Policy, Ulster University said:
"AI is set to profoundly change the skills landscape. There is a challenge for policymakers and the education system to provide the skills for those directly involved in the AI revolution, and more widely to ensure that the current and future workforce as a whole is equipped with AI literacy. The risk of a further widening of the digital divide must also be mitigated. This conference provides an ideal platform for networking, discussion and dissemination of best practice across the sector in the region."
Professor Colin Turner, Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of Faculty of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment, Ulster University added:
“The education and skills landscape is changing quickly, with a majority of students now using AI in their studies, in some cases without even realising it. It is vital for policy makers and educators to engage thoughtfully with this shift, to ensure the quality of the educational experience but also to enhance experiences and outcomes for all students. We must also consider how AI can and should enhance our delivery and assessment in ways that respect the diversity of students and staff at all education levels. The GenAIEdu conferences have played an important part in realising these aims while ensuring a two-way conversation with the wider context of AI in evolving government policy in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Find out more:
Further information on the August conference (being held from 26-28 August in Belfast), including details of agenda, speakers and registration information, is available on the GenAIEdu 2025 website.
You can also follow @GenAiEdu on Twitter/X.
