Responsible Voice-enabled AI in Schools – Stage 1 Report

In this report, we explore the growing use of voice-enabled Artificial Intelligence (AI) in primary and special school education, examining its potential to support oral language development, inclusion, and personalised learning. Drawing on international research and the Irish policy context, the report introduces a framework for Responsible Voice-enabled AI and considers how these technologies can be designed and used safely, ethically, and effectively with young learners.

The evidence highlights promising benefits, including reduced language anxiety, immediate feedback, and extended learning opportunities, while also identifying important limitations such as speech recognition challenges, limited Irish-language support, and a lack of long-term research in Irish schools. The report concludes that voice-enabled AI should complement rather than replace human-led teaching, and outlines recommendations for technology design, teacher professional development, and future investment to support responsible adoption across Irish primary and special school settings.