The ADAPT Education and Public Engagement team played a key part in the annual Media Literacy Ireland (MLI) conference on 26 November 2025, hosting a timely and engaging panel discussion: “Making Sense of AI: Building Literacy for a New Media Landscape.”
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we consume, create and interact with media. This panel at the Media Literacy Ireland conference 2025, hosted as part of the ongoing #DiscussAI national conversation, focused on the challenge of preparing society for this shift. The wide-ranging discussion tackled the core question of AI literacy: How can we equip citizens with the necessary skills to navigate this evolving media environment responsibly?
The session was expertly moderated by Sci-tech journalist, editor and broadcaster Elaine Burke, who skillfully guided the conversation across key aspects of AI literacy, from foundational skills to ethical considerations.
Setting the scene for the lively discussion, Dr. Cara Greene, Education and Public Engagement Projects Lead at the ADAPT Centre, drew upon real-world examples and community engagement approaches developed through ADAPT’s #DiscussAI programme, demonstrating how public dialogue can inform effective literacy strategies.
The panel consisted of leading experts and practitioners, offering diverse perspectives on the challenge:
Dr. Yvonne McKenna from Solas’s Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) programme provided insights into foundational and adult education approaches necessary to bridge the digital and AI literacy gap.
Dr. Dympna O’Sullivan from TU Dublin offered technical and ethical perspectives on how AI systems function and the importance of including community voices in research and development of AI technology.
Dr. Eamon Costello from Dublin City University discussed the role of educational institutions in integrating AI literacy into their curricula and teaching methods.
Thank you to Media Literacy Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán for the opportunity to host this timely discussion among a jam-packed and insightful conference programme.
#DiscussAI is committed to continuing this national conversation, ensuring that Ireland is prepared to embrace the opportunities and address the challenges presented by AI.
