AI Technology Empowers Special School Pupils in Bangor
Pupils at Clifton School, a controlled school in Bangor, are discovering new ways to express themselves through artificial intelligence as part of a successful Education Authority pilot programme.
The special school is one of three participating in this initiative that enables pupils, including those who are non-verbal, to create art and music through AI-assisted tools.
The technology works through a simple process. Teachers present pupils with choices between prompts like "happy or sad" or "big or small" and pupils share their favourite things. The AI tool then generates unique images based on these selections, allowing pupils to create art reflecting their interests.
Pupils have also collaborated on a song titled 'Rise', using the AI tool with lyrics they selected themselves. For many non-verbal pupils, this provides a powerful new form of communication.
Teachers report that the technology allows pupils to thrive and learn in previously unimaginable ways, offering new avenues for self-expression.
The pilot's success has prompted the Education Authority to explore implementing this technology more broadly across Northern Ireland's special schools.
The controlled education sector is Northern Ireland's largest, most diverse education sector, comprising 49% of all schools across all phases: nursery, special, primary, secondary, grammar, integrated and Irish medium schools.
03 July 2025
