HEA Publishes National Policy Framework on Generative AI in Teaching and Learning

Posted: 22 December, 2025

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has published Generative AI in Higher Education Teaching & Learning: Policy Framework, a new national framework to guide the responsible, values-based adoption of generative artificial intelligence in Irish higher education.

The framework provides a shared reference point for higher education institutions as they navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by generative AI tools, including large language models such as ChatGPT, in teaching, learning and assessment. It is accompanied by a suite of supporting instruments, principles and guidance designed to help institutions translate policy intent into practice while respecting academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

The framework is grounded in five core principles:

• Academic integrity, transparency and accountability
• Equity and inclusion
• Critical engagement, human oversight and AI literacy
• Privacy and data governance
• Sustainable pedagogy

Together, these principles establish a coherent national approach that supports innovation while safeguarding the public mission and values of higher education.

Welcoming the publication, Dr Alan Wall, HEA CEO, said:

“Generative AI presents a system-wide challenge for higher education and requires a coordinated and principled response. This policy framework supports institutions to act with clarity and confidence, ensuring that innovation is guided by the core shared values of higher education as a public good. It provides a strong foundation for sector-wide coherence while enabling institutions to exercise academic judgement and autonomy as they engage with rapidly evolving technologies.”

Dr James O’Sullivan, Teaching and Learning Policy Advisor at the HEA and lead author of the framework, highlighted its focus on teaching and learning and its role in supporting informed decision-making across the sector:

“This framework is designed to support educators, academic leaders and professional staff in making deliberate, values-based choices about generative AI in the context of teaching and learning. Our sector needs to move beyond both uncritical adoption and uncritical rejection and towards a principled approach that keeps academic judgement and educational excellence at the centre of teaching and learning. This will be an ongoing challenge, but coherent national policy is a robust first step.”

The framework reflects the current state of generative AI adoption in Irish higher education and will evolve in response to technological developments, emerging evidence and continued sectoral engagement. The HEA will issue updates as required, and institutions are advised to refer to the most recent published version when developing or reviewing their own policies.

A formal launch event for the framework is planned for early 2026, at which further sector engagement opportunities will be outlined.

The Policy Framework, alongside the Principles for Ethical AI Adoption and a range of supporting instruments covering areas such as AI-resilient assessment, AI literacy, governance and compliance with the EU AI Act, is available through the HEA’s Generative AI resource hub.

For further information, visit the HEA teaching and learning Gen AI hub at https://hub.teachingandlearning.ie/genai

Generative AI in Higher Education Teaching& Learning Policy Framework

Generative AI in Higher Education Teaching& Learning Principles for Ethical AI Adoption