The Handshake | Ep.9 | Dr Daithí Ó Murchú | AI, Singularity & Implications for Education (Part 1)

In this compelling episode of ‘The Handshake’ - Teacher and Student Roles in Classrooms of the Future) Teresa continues her insightful dialogue with Daithí Ó Murchú delving into the transformative power of AI in reimagining classrooms, with Teresa expertly placing AI within the psychology of the developing child and the organisational setting of the “living classroom.” Dáithí shares his vision for AI as a tool to augment learning, imagining a future where teachers and students become co-creators in ethically conscious, adaptable learning spaces. Their dialogue revisits Ó Murchú’s 2005 vision of a technology-supported classroom, now viewed through the lens of AI singularity, where constructivism provides a robust foundation. This pedagogy empowers AI to create a culturally responsive, personalised, and collaborative ecosystem, with AI acting as an ally rather than a replacement for human connection.
They consider the “elephant in the room” of AI’s role in human-machine convergence and its implications for the evolving roles of teachers and students. Teresa argues that, while AI enhances educational pathways, it must never replace the foundational "handshake" of human connectedness and collaboration. The discussion explores how AI might impact teacher training and curriculum design, emphasising the need for frameworks that support critical thinking, ethical awareness, and adaptive learning. Ultimately, they challenge educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers to prepare students for an AI-driven future that prizes critical discernment, creativity, and ethical responsibility at every stage of development.
Part 2 to follow this Thursday