ADAPT’s flagship ‘#DiscussAI’ initiative has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Education Outreach – Community & Public Engagement’ category of the Education Awards 2026. Led by ADAPT’s Education and Public Engagement team based at Dublin City University, #DiscussAI fosters a national conversation on artificial intelligence. Through inclusive, community-led dialogue and learning, the initiative has strengthened AI literacy and agency among 85,000 people, ensuring diverse public voices shape Ireland’s AI innovation and policy. More than 170 ADAPT researchers across eight academic institutions have contributed to dialogue-driven events and learning activities since the initiative’s launch in September 2021.
Partnerships with community stakeholders around Ireland are instrumental in ensuring diverse voices are represented in the dialogue. By co-designing engagement formats and content with these partners, #DiscussAI ensures that all resources genuinely speak to participants’ experiences and interests. This collaborative approach, centred on adaptable toolkits and a train-the-trainer model, is the key to achieving extensive national reach with meaningful, sustainable local impact.
#DiscussAI’s success is already reflected in best practice recognition by the European Commission and Media Literacy Ireland. It is also cited in the implementation report and strategy refresh of Ireland’s national AI strategy AI – Here for Good as a key contributor to the country’s ‘AI and Society’ goals.
The Education Awards 2026 recognise outstanding achievement across higher education, further education, and professional training. This year’s finalists demonstrate how Irish institutions continue to set standards in teaching innovation, research impact, and community engagement. Finalists now await the verdict of an independent judging panel comprising Irish and international education leaders, who evaluate entries against rigorous criteria measuring innovation, impact, and scalability.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on 16 April 2026 at the Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath, where Ireland’s education community will gather to celebrate the achievements shaping the future of learning.
