At the 2026 Education Awards, which celebrate excellence across the third-level sector in Ireland, ADAPT at Dublin City University was named a finalist in the Best Education Outreach Award – Community & Public Engagement category.
While the top honour went to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, ADAPT earned recognition for its nationwide initiative, #DiscussAI: A National Conversation on Artificial Intelligence.
The #DiscussAI programme has engaged more than 85,000 people across Ireland through inclusive, community-led discussions and educational activities. The initiative focuses on improving public understanding of artificial intelligence while empowering individuals and communities to actively shape conversations around its development and use.
The impact of #DiscussAI has also gained international attention, with the initiative recognised by the European Commission as a best practice in digital education outreach.
The recognition highlights the growing importance of public engagement in shaping responsible AI innovation, as well as the role of Irish institutions in leading these efforts on both a national and European stage.
