A two-day international workshop examining the growing influence of artificial intelligence in education was held at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) on 22 and 23 October 2025. The event, titled AI-Driven Education: Opportunities, Risks, and the Path Forward, was organised by the Applied Research and Innovation Centre (ARIC) and supported through the Xjenza Malta Research Networking Scheme (RNS-2024-068).

The workshop brought together academics, researchers and education specialists from MCAST alongside experts from Dublin City University (DCU) and the University of Mons (UMONS) in Belgium. Its aim was to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping teaching, assessment and educational research, while strengthening international collaboration in this fast-evolving field.

The workshop opened with a welcome address by MCAST Principal and CEO, Mr Stephen Vella, who underlined the need for educational institutions to embrace AI responsibly. He emphasised that technology must support learning rather than replace the essential human relationship between educators and students. His remarks also highlighted the value of international partnerships in building research capacity and fostering innovation.

The first day focused on the role of AI in supporting teaching and learning. MCAST representatives provided an introduction to ongoing digital learning developments, accompanied by a technology showcase from the EdTech Hub. Guest speakers from UMONS, Prof Gaëtan Temperman and Prof Stéphane Dupont, discussed how AI can enhance learning experiences and examined the broader impact of large language models across sectors. Researchers from DCU’s Centre for Assessment Research, Policy and Practice in Education (CAPRE), Dr Darina Scully and Dr Francis Ward, shared insights into the potential of generative AI in educational assessment and the challenges surrounding its ethical use.

The second day shifted to research development, featuring an overview of funding opportunities, including Horizon Europe, presented by Mr Ian Gauci Borda from Xjenza Malta. Participants then engaged in collaborative sessions aimed at developing joint research concepts and forming proposals for future international projects.

The AI-Driven Education: Opportunities, Risks, and the Path Forward workshop (AI-FOCUS) was funded through the Xjenza Malta Research Networking Scheme (RNS-2024-068).