83% of Teachers Say They Lack Formal Training in AI

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD joined Microsoft Ireland to unveil research on the use of digital technologies and AI in Irish classrooms, and to announce the expansion of the Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy, a free programme designed to empower teachers with the skills to effectively and responsibly use AI and digital technologies in the classroom.

Powering new teaching models

The research entitled, ‘Digital Learning in the Era of AI’, reveals how AI and digital technologies are helping to enhance learning and engagement in the classroom. Conducted by 3Gem for Microsoft, the survey of 201 educators across Ireland found that:

· 87% use digital technologies to improve productivity and optimise classroom time

· 86% say apps and platforms help personalise teaching to meet students’ needs

· 81% report stronger student engagement when digital tools are used

· 72% support increased use of AI tools in the classroom

· 83% say they lack formal training in AI

While AI is one of the key technologies that teachers are embracing to enhance education and 64% of teachers believe it will positively transform education, adoption varies across the island of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, 74% of teachers report rapid uptake of generative AI, compared to 33% in the Republic.

Digital Tools and AI in Classrooms: Opportunities and Challenges

When asked about ways to bring technology and AI into the classroom, the top three suggestions agreed on by teachers include collaborative learning (49%), student-led initiatives (47%), and project-based learning (41%), approaches that are at the centre of the approach taken by the Microsoft Dream Space team.

The research also highlights a growing integration of digital tools in classrooms, from online worksheets to interactive quizzes, with more experienced teachers using a broader range of tools compared to newer teachers. However, adoption is uneven, especially in schools slower to embrace AI.

While 83% of surveyed teachers agree they have not received adequate training to use tech and AI tools effectively, this issue is more pronounced in schools slower to embrace AI, where 67% cite insufficient training as a major barrier, compared to just 32% in faster-adopting schools.

Most educators report student use of laptops, tablets, or computers during lessons. In digitally advanced schools, 40% say devices are used in most teaching, compared to just 15% in slower-adopting schools. Overall, 26% of teachers report high usage (over 75% of teaching), while 51% report moderate use.

Generative AI has seen the fastest growth among digital tools in the past year, marking a shift in teaching approaches. Adoption also varies by location: 64% of urban educators describe their school’s digital transformation as fast or very fast, compared to 45% in suburban and 34% in rural schools. Teachers who use digital tools extensively are more likely to report rapid adoption (74%) than those who use them rarely (30%).

Despite these advances, confidence gaps remain, particularly among non-STEM teachers – only 18% feel fully equipped to use digital technology effectively in the classroom. Even among STEM educators, many report that a lack of ongoing support has limited the impact of their training.

In fact, 81% of teachers say they are lacking formal training in AI, and there is strong consensus among school leaders (92%) that AI training should be a mandatory part of both initial teacher education (ITE) and continuing professional development (CPD).

Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy

To help address the research findings and support teachers to leverage AI and digital technologies to enhance learning and engagement in the classroom, Microsoft today announced the expansion of its Dream Space Teacher Academy for the 2025/2026 academic year. This free, multi-week programme is designed to help primary and post-primary teachers begin their journey with AI in education. It focuses on building confidence and understanding, starting with the basics of how AI works and why AI literacy matters.

Teachers will explore how AI can support productivity, learn how to use it responsibly and ethically, and access resources to help students develop their own AI literacy and future-ready skills. On completion, participants will earn a digital badge via Credly, with opportunities for further professional development and accreditation.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD said: “Microsoft’s latest research underscores the opportunity for AI and digital tools to enhance teaching and learning, as well as the need to support educators with the right training and support to use them effectively. The new national guidance on AI in schools, published by the Department of Education, is an important step in that journey, providing a clear framework to help educators adopt these technologies responsibly and confidently.

“This aligns with the broader direction of our education system, including the new primary curriculum’s emphasis on digital literacy and modern skills. Across further and higher education, we remain focused on preparing both learners and educators to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Industry has a vital role to play in this, and I’m delighted to join Microsoft today in announcing this expanded AI skills offering for teachers through the Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy.”

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, added:

“Microsoft is committed to supporting Irish educators to bring a digital mindset into the classroom to enhance learning and student engagement. This research shows that teachers are ready to embrace AI, but they need the right support to do so confidently and responsibly. As the new guidance on the use of AI in the classroom highlights, it’s not just about having access to digital tools; it’s about understanding how AI works and how to use it in ways that truly benefit students.

“That’s why we’re expanding the Dream Space Teacher Academy and investing further in our ambition to Skill Up Ireland. We are committed to helping teachers build the skills, trust and AI literacy they need to confidently use AI in the classroom. By focusing on responsible use, digital understanding and practical classroom application, we hope to support educators to create more inclusive, engaging and future-ready learning experiences for every student across the island of Ireland.”

Educators interested in joining the free Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy can register their interest by the 13th of November at: Dream Space Teacher Packages.