Pioneering Education and Public Engagement Initiatives Shortlisted for Media Literacy Ireland Awards 2025
ADAPT, the Research Ireland Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, is proud to announce that four of its pioneering Education and Public Engagement initiatives have been shortlisted – in four different categories – for the prestigious Media Literacy Ireland Awards 2025. This significant recognition highlights ADAPT’s commitment to fostering critical understanding of artificial intelligence across diverse sectors of Irish society.
Supported by Coimisiún na Meán, the Media Literacy Ireland Awards aim to recognise the work being undertaken to help citizens, especially within communities, develop skills, knowledge and competencies to be able to make informed choices about the media content and services that they consume, create and disseminate. A record number of nominations were received this year.
The ADAPT initiatives that have been shortlisted for awards are:
‘#DiscussAI: A National Conversation on Artificial Intelligence in Ireland’ has been shortlisted in the Best General Media Literacy Initiative category, recognising its considerable achievement in fostering national AI dialogue and media literacy in the context of AI among 80,000 people across all counties of Ireland. www.adaptcentre.ie/discussai
What the judges said: ‘This is an inclusive, well-researched, creative approach to AI literacy. With meaningful engagement from a range of stakeholders, it has the potential to reach and connect with diverse audiences across different age groups and demographics.’
‘AI Literacy in the Classroom, supported by Google’ has been shortlisted in the Best Community-Based Media Literacy Initiative category, acknowledging its success in helping boost the AI literacy of 450 post-primary teachers and helping them empower their students to use AI critically. www.adaptcentre.ie/ai-literacy-in-the-classroom
What the judges said: ‘This initiative addresses an urgent and growing need in media literacy by equipping teachers with the skills and confidence to bring AI concepts into the classroom through the provision of adaptable teaching resources, accessible to different classroom contexts and learner levels, and balancing technical skills with ethical reflection.’
‘Age-Friendly AI: Ireland’s National Artificial Intelligence Literacy Initiative’ has been shortlisted in the Best Media Literacy Initiative for Older People category, for its stellar work in ensuring that older adults have a strong voice in the development of future AI and empowering them to navigate and critically engage with the AI-driven media landscape. www.agefriendlyai.ie
What the judges said: ‘This project is a well-designed, inclusive and innovative public engagement initiative, built on a strong foundation of co-creation where older adults are active contributors to the development of the programme.’
‘Algowatch’ has been shortlisted in the Best Media Literacy Initiative for Young People category in recognition of its success in designing and deploying a game to help teenagers understand the influence of algorithms and how to navigate echo chambers and disinformation. https://algowatch.eu/
What the judges said: ‘Given the topicality of algorithms, AI and disinformation, this is a novel and timely initiative that tackles the urgent issue of disinformation through AI workshops and international collaboration, making it both relevant and impactful.’
‘This recognition from Media Literacy Ireland is a powerful testament to the impact of genuine collaboration’, says Laura Grehan, Head of Education, Engagement and Societal Impact at the ADAPT Centre at Dublin City University. ‘Our success in advancing AI and media literacy across Ireland is rooted in co-creation – bringing together our skilled team with invaluable partners across academia, communities, civil society, industry, and government. By working collaboratively, we ensure our initiatives meet the real needs of diverse audiences, empowering people to engage critically, confidently, and safely in today’s fast-changing digital world.’
As AI systems increasingly shape the media we consume, media literacy in the age of AI has become essential, but public understanding lags behind AI’s growing influence. ADAPT Education and Public Engagement aims to empower citizens with the knowledge and skills to engage confidently and critically with AI and media technologies.
ADAPT’s shortlisted initiatives have a proven track record of: helping people learn about AI and develop core media literacy skills in the context of AI; facilitating inclusive national dialogue on social impacts of AI; and ensuring that diverse voices and experiences shape the future of AI research and policy in Ireland.
The winners of the Media Literacy Ireland Awards will be announced at a ceremony at the Virgin Media Studios, Dublin on 6th October 2025. The full list of shortlisted nominees is available at www.medialiteracyireland.ie/the-mli-awards-2025-shortlist/
