The “Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service” is an Irish Government document from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. It defines what AI is and sets out seven principles for responsible AI usage. In addition, it provides a decision framework and guidance regarding responsible usage to help public service bodies design, procure, use and monitor AI systems in line with EU and national law.
AI can make public services more efficient, responsive and accountable, but also acknowledges risks such as bias, opacity, privacy breaches and the dehumanisation of services. The guidelines translate the EU AI Act’s risk-based approach into practical expectations for the Irish public service, so that AI supports people’s rights and wellbeing instead of undermining them.
How school leaders can use it
School leaders can use the guidelines as a benchmark for governance. They can check whether AI is really the best solution by referencing the seven principles for responsible use of AI:
Schools may also refer to the decision framework and AI lifecycle to shape policies, conduct risk assessments and procurement and align school-level AI work with broader public service standards.
How teachers can use it
Teachers can use the principles and end-user guidance to judge whether tools are safe, lawful and educationally aligned. They also insist on human oversight of any AI that influences learners and that leaders build their own AI and data literacy, including knowing when to question, disregard or report problematic AI outputs.
Practical examples
Chapter 3 and Chapter 9 describe AI uses such as chatbots for queries, document analysis, forecasting, fraud detection, translation and content generation, with benefits and risks explained. These examples can help schools think critically about similar tools in education, such as automated screening of emails or generative tools used in administration and learning support contexts.
Read Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service.
