Letterkenny student wins national essay writing competition
Loreto's Fatima Memon collected prize at Leinster House
Loreto Secondary School pupil, Fatima Memon was declared the National Winner of the fourth Annual Oireachtas Essay Competition.
The Letterkenny student received her prize at Leinster House, accompanied by parents, teachers and former Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, for her efforts on the essay theme, ‘Is AI a threat to Democracy?’
Fatima argued that AI could threaten democracy “through manipulation of truth and weakened accountability” whilst also defending the “democratic potential” of AI.
Judges said of Fatima’s essay: “This essay is hugely impressive and demonstrates a sustained line of argument.
“It establishes at the start that AI threatens democracy through speed, manipulation of truth, weakened accountability and other factors, and returns to these themes throughout. The essay interprets and synthesise ideas (e.g. Habermas, Irish democratic history, EU regulation) with skill and ability and uses the widest range of sources among all the entries shortlisted.
“The essay presents and develops a sophisticated argument, engaging thoughtfully with both the risks and democratic potential of AI.”
Eamonn Crowley, CEO of PTSB, attended the event, who has made a three-year commitment as Principal Sponsor of Aiste an Oireachtais. Crowley commended essay participants for engaging early with how AI technology should be used.
He said: “Understanding AI is no longer a niche skill. It is becoming a core part of how work happens across every sector,” Mr Crowley said. “By exploring the role of AI now, questioning it, analysing it, thinking about its impact on wider society, you are developing exactly the kind of capabilities that will define the workforce of the future.”
“You are learning how to navigate complexity.”
The Oireachtas Essay Competition was devised by Senator Rónán Mullen in 2022 with the support of An Ceann Comhairle and the Oireachtas Education Unit.
Senior Cycle students and AS/A Level students across the island of Ireland were invited to submit essays in Irish or English and to compete for a total prize fund of €6,000.
Over 1,000 students entered this year’s Competition.
Winners were determined by an expert panel of judges, which included Professor Patrick Geoghegan of TCD and journalist, writer and academic, Alan Titley MRIA.