Minister for Education, Paul Givan joined Microsoft at its innovation and education hub, Microsoft Dream Space, at W5 LIFE in Belfast as it unveiled a number of initiatives that aim to advance skilling and enable the responsible use of AI in education across Northern Ireland.
Since the launch of the Microsoft Dream Space programme in Belfast in October 2019, and the opening of its hub at W5 LIFE in August 2022 with an initial £1m investment, the company has engaged over 30,000 students and teachers across the region in STEM learning, providing the opportunity for them to develop the skills required for the era of AI.
Microsoft Dream Space in Northern Ireland
Today Microsoft committed to providing an all primary and post-primary students and teachers across Northern Ireland with digital and AI skills through its STEM-based learning experience, Microsoft Dream Space. This is part of the company’s ambition to provide every student and teacher across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to develop their digital and AI skills.
The STEM experience was designed by Microsoft in collaboration with educators to help young people pursue their interest in STEM and shift their perceptions about the role AI and other technologies can play in their future career choices. Students are encouraged and challenged to think creatively in areas such as computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), Mixed Reality, and robotics.
AI for Teachers
As part of Minister Givan’s visit, Microsoft also discussed a pilot initiative the company is undertaking in partnership with the Education Authority of Northern Ireland (EANI) and Ulster University, which is an evidence-based approach to exploring the potential of AI in education.
100 teachers and school administrators in schools of all types across the region have been provided with Microsoft Copilot to help manage the administrative burden on schools. This initiative aims to explore how AI can help educators save time, better prepare lessons, and spend more time with students.
Speaking during his visit to Microsoft Dream Space, Minister for Education Paul Givan said: “AI and other new technologies are helping to transform how we live, learn and do business, and it is vital that our young people and educators have the skills to harness its potential responsibly both in and outside the classroom. That’s why I warmly welcome Microsoft’s continued commitment to Microsoft Dream Space in Northern Ireland and helping the Education Authority unlock the power of AI right across our education system. These efforts will not only empower teachers, but they will also help to nurture future talent for Northern Ireland’s growing STEM and technology sectors.”
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Nigel Cunningham, Northern Ireland Lead at Microsoft said: “At Microsoft, we believe that every student and teacher should have the opportunity to unlock their full potential through the power of technology, and AI plays a central role in shaping that future. We’ve been proud to partner with teachers, schools, and state bodies across Northern Ireland, helping to shape the classroom of the future.
“We’re delighted to build on that strong foundation through our renewed focus on AI learning and skilling. Our commitment to Microsoft Dream Space and also the pilot project underway with the Education Authority and Ulster University underscores our dedication to equipping Northern Ireland’s young people and teachers with the skills and tools they need to thrive in the era of AI.
“Northern Ireland has the potential to be a global leader in AI, utilising the technology to improve competitiveness and create meaningful employment. Dream Space helps pupils understand how to use AI responsibly as a tool that supports learning and to develop the skills they will need for their future employment.”
Cynthia Currie, Director of Education, EANI: “Our key aim at the Education Authority is to inspire young people and AI has the potential to do that in so many ways. That’s why we joined forces with Microsoft on this important pilot project. What we saw in Microsoft Copilot was the opportunity to reduce teacher workload and to prepare lessons in a much faster but more meaningful way. And for us, that's a real game changer. Through the use of AI, we can give every young person the opportunity to develop their potential.”
Clifton Special School in Bangor is one of the schools that taking part in the pilot project. Using Microsoft Copilot, enables teachers in the school to incorporate students’ interests to inform lesson planning, making learning more engaging and customised rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
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Brenda Mullan, Vice Principal, Clifton Special School in Bangor said: “Microsoft Copilot has been absolutely fantastic in enabling our teachers to bring opportunities to children and young people who historically would have been unable to produce artwork independently. Using their likes and dislikes, they can now create a piece of art with minimal assistance. The very fact that the young person has been the architect of their own work based on their likes, dislikes, and choices, the pride that they show—the ownership of that— has raised their self-esteem.”
For schools to register for a free Microsoft Dream Space experience or to access resources for schools and teachers, visit: https://dreamspace.microsoft.com/en-us/dreamspace/ireland/w5.
To learn more about the AI in Education pilot project undertaken by Microsoft, EANI, and Ulster, visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en/customers/story/20323-eani-microsoft-copilot
Read Sync NI's free online Big Data Belfast autumn magazine here.
