Source
O’Sullivan, James, Colin Lowry, Ross Woods & Tim Conlon. Generative AI in Higher Education Teaching &
Learning: Policy Framework. Higher Education Authority, 2025. DOI: 10.82110/073e-hg66.
Summary
This policy framework provides a national, values-based approach to guiding the adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in teaching and learning across Irish higher education institutions. Rather than prescribing uniform rules, it establishes a shared set of principles to support informed, ethical, and pedagogically sound decision-making. The framework recognises GenAI as a structural change to higher education—particularly to learning design, assessment, and academic integrity—requiring coordinated institutional and sector-level responses rather than ad hoc or individual initiatives.
Focused explicitly on teaching and learning, the framework foregrounds five core principles: academic integrity and transparency; equity and inclusion; critical engagement, human oversight, and AI literacy; privacy and data governance; and sustainable pedagogy. It emphasises that GenAI should neither be uncritically embraced nor categorically prohibited. Instead, institutions are encouraged to adopt proportionate, evidence-informed approaches that preserve human judgement, ensure fairness, protect student data, and align AI use with the public mission of higher education. The document also outlines how these principles can be operationalised through governance, assessment redesign, staff development, and continuous sector learning.
Key Points
- The framework offers a shared national reference point rather than prescriptive rules.
- GenAI is treated as a systemic pedagogical challenge, not a temporary disruption.
- Academic integrity depends on transparency, accountability, and visible authorship.
- Equity and inclusion must be designed into AI adoption from the outset.
- Human oversight and critical engagement remain central to learning and assessment.
- AI literacy is positioned as a core capability for staff and students.
- Privacy, data protection, and institutional data sovereignty are essential.
- Assessment practices must evolve beyond reliance on traditional written outputs.
- Sustainability includes both environmental impact and long-term educational quality.
- Ongoing monitoring and sector-wide learning are critical to responsible adoption.
Conclusion
The HEA Policy Framework positions generative AI as neither a threat to be resisted nor a solution to be uncritically adopted. By grounding AI integration in shared academic values, ethical governance, and pedagogical purpose, it provides Irish higher education with a coherent foundation for navigating AI-enabled change while safeguarding trust, equity, and educational integrity.
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