Minister Naughton highlights AI and Youth Participation at EU Council Meeting
- Published on: 11 May 2026
- Last updated on: 11 May 2026
Ministers from across the European Union met today to discuss key priorities in education and youth policy, including the role of teachers in the age of artificial intelligence, strengthening youth participation in policymaking, improving basic skills across the European Education Area and shaping the future of the Erasmus+ Programme for 2028–2034.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton will chair the Education and Youth Council meetings during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026.
At today’s meeting in Brussels, Education Ministers discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in supporting teachers and explored how AI can be used in a responsible, ethical and inclusive way across education systems. There was also a comprehensive discussion on improving basic skills across the EU. The Council agreed its approach on the Erasmus+ Regulation for the period beyond 2028.
Ahead of the Council today, Minister Naughton met with EU Youth Delegates from across Europe in advance of Ireland’s EU Youth Conference which will take place in Dublin during Ireland’s upcoming Presidency.
A key focus of during these discussions was on the need to strengthen basic skills across the EU, particularly literacy, mathematics and science. In the area of youth policy, the focus was on making both EU and national policies more youth-friendly
Speaking today Minister Naughton said:
“As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, I look forward to advancing ambitious and inclusive cooperation across education and youth cooperation policies.
“I lead discussions today with my EU counterparts focusing on the importance of improving basic skills and ensuring that artificial intelligence is used in a way that supports teachers and enhances learning across our education systems.
“In youth, policy discussions today had a focus on strengthening young people’s participation in decision-making, developing more youth-friendly policies, progressing the EU Youth Strategy and supporting the EU Youth Dialogue as an important platform for young people’s voices.
“I am very proud to say that a key milestone during Ireland’s Presidency will be the EU Youth Conference in Dublin, where young people from across Europe will come together to discuss the issues that matter most to them, including information and constructive dialogue, one of the EU Youth Goals.”
Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July and will play a leading role in advancing European cooperation across education and youth policy priorities.