Almost 50 schools across Ireland have signed up to a new programme by US EdTech company Merlyn Mind and The Learnovate Centre to pilot a ground-breaking AI assistant tool for teachers.

The programme is the largest trial of the Merlyn Origin AI assistant outside of North America.

Supported by Learnovate, a learning technology research centre in Trinity College Dublin, the programme will see 300 teachers across 48 post-primary and primary schools utilise the Merlyn Origin AI technology in the classroom to provide students with a personalised, dynamic and interactive learning experience.

The Merlyn Origin AI assistant tool been designed to support educators by streamlining the administrative and repetitive aspects of teaching. By leveraging generative AI, the system enables teachers to create lesson plans, generate grading rubrics and acquire instant feedback from their students with the push of a button.

It also offers unique voice-controlled technology that allows teachers to operate classroom devices - from computers to front-of-class displays - entirely hands-free, freeing them up to focus on engaging directly with students.

Phase one of the Irish pilot scheme during the academic year, just ended. Researchers will then incorporate feedback from teachers and learners into the technology ahead of phase two, beginning at the start of the 2025 academic year. It is hoped the success of the pilot will lead to a wider take-up of the technology in Irish classrooms.

Merlyn Origin is actively used in more than 10,000 classrooms across the US where studies have found it to be effective at helping teachers reduce time spent on administrative tasks, leaving more time for teaching and learning, in as little as seven weeks.

Research has also found that teachers using Merlyn experience reduced technostress - stress caused by technology tools and processes required in their work.

Mullingar Community College in Co. Westmeath took part in a limited trial of the cutting-edge AI technology earlier this year. The success of that project has paved the way for the current pilot programme.

Merlyn Mind has collected a series of industry honours in recent years, including Best AI Platform at the 2024 Global EdTech Awards and Best AI Solution at the 2024 Ed Tech Cool Tool Awards. The AI tool also won the Trendsetter category at the 2023 EdTech Awards, and the Back to School Primary and Secondary Education Awards at the Tech and Learning Awards of Excellence in 2023.

Jason Mayland, Vice President of International Business Development at Merlyn Mind, says: "We're extremely excited to begin piloting our Merlyn Origin AI assistant in 48 schools across Ireland. This is the largest trial of our technology in classrooms outside North America where we've already seen Merlyn Origin produce fantastic results in terms of reducing technostress and time teachers spend on administrative tasks.

"We're grateful to The Learnovate Centre, with whom we are a Patron Member, for its support on this project, which is a key milestone on our journey to bring Merlyn Mind to the European market."

Learnovate Head of Membership Services Dave Farrelly says: "Learnovate is delighted to partner with Merlyn Mind on this pilot scheme for its AI assistant for teachers. AI has vast potential to revolutionise the classroom experience, which is why Learnovate is committed to supporting cutting-edge research in this area. It's important that we fully embrace this technology so that we maximise the benefits for teachers and learners."