Open AI in Irish Schools

A recent interview in the Irish Independent with Sarah Friar, the Chief Financial Officer of OpenAI (best known for its tool ChatGPT), helpfully exposed a whole lot of assumptions about schools and about AI use in them in Ireland. The interview is by technology editor Adrian Weckler.

For any other industries thinking of a partnership with Irish schools, I have provided a template they can adapt for future articles.

The Government is considering installing vaping shelters in Irish schools, according to a senior executive in TEY (TrapEmYoung), the world's largest vaping manufacturer and distributor. The scheme would cover over 400,000 children in post-primary schools. The shelters would also be open to the sector's 48,000 teachers, and all users of the shelters will be able to avail of discounted rates for the vapes themselves.

Senior officials from TEY met this week with the Taoiseach and Ministers from the Department of Enterprise. A spokesperson for the Department of Health declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Youth also declined to comment, other than stating that all initiatives in school are accompanied by full and comprehensive suites of support measures and guidelines.

TEY Chief Financial Officer Anna Intell said that the proposed rollout would be an “enterprise” deployment, controlled by schools and teachers. She said that Ireland has expressed keen interest in deploying the infrastructure.

“They understand that it’s about health,” she said. “They’re receptive. Vaping is a proven far safer alternative to nicotine cigarettes.”

A recent survey of 1,300 Irish secondary students claimed that substantial numbers vape in school toilets and at snatched moments in corridors when teachers are not watching. The new shelters, which will be branded with TEY's logo, will provide comfortable sanctioned areas for vaping so that it can be properly controlled and monitored. The times the shelters will be used will be completely within the control of each school, which will also be able to decide if children can use their mobile phones while relaxing, depending on each individual school's phone policy. Sensors inside the shelters will send safety information about levels of use by groups and individuals to TEY's headquarters in Florida: this will be anonymised and controlled under strict data protection measures.

A spokesperson for a teachers' union expressed concern about the technology, saying that it was much too early to state that vaping is safe, and that the long-term risks are unclear.

A survey of our members earlier this year showed a growing concern at a lack of adequate guidelines and training on how to respond to vaping in schools.

Ms Intell also pointed out that “We have an incredible deal with Nordonia, where they’re already putting in vaping shelters and providing heavily-discounted vapes for secondary school students" and added "The UK government is using vapes as a central plank of its new well-being policy in schools."

TEY says that its deployments are aimed at making vaping “as fundamental as food service” in schools. It confirmed that it is the only company under consideration for the roll-out, and will have exclusive rights during the deployment. It plans to offer 10% discounts on the regular price of the sheds, which is likely to be in the region of the cost of the Leinster House bicycle facility.

“Most vaping users are under the age of 35 and the majority of conversations when using the vapes are focused on learning and schoolwork. The new shelters will formalise this, and become hubs of educational innovation and collaborative thinking about school work. They will prepare Irish students for the creativity and critical thinking that will be central to the 22nd century.”

“By supporting safe vaping arrangements, expanding access to vapes, and developing policies to make vaping training for teachers accessible and affordable, we can ensure students will be better equipped to be the healthiest workforce in history, able to work and contribute productively to the economy deep into their old age."

Ms Intell added that if the secondary school roll-out is successful, the company hopes to facilitate vaping use in the country's 3,300 primary schools, enabling TEY to expand their market to children from the age of four.

---