Coleg y Cymoedd, one of Wales’ largest higher education institutions, has achieved over £5.9 million in financial benefits from the deployment of its bilingual AI Assistant, ARNY. Developed by ICS.AI, this innovative platform understands both Welsh and English, significantly enhancing the College's student recruitment efforts. The results have underscored the growing strength of Welsh language speakers, particularly among younger people, with recent statistics estimating 891,800 individuals could speak Welsh by September 2023. The Welsh Government aims for this number to reach at least one million by 2050, representing a concerted effort to preserve and promote the language.
Rory Meredith, Director of Digital Strategy and Innovation at Coleg y Cymoedd, remarked on the impact of the AI Assistant: "Working with ICS.AI, we’ve totally overhauled and improved the student recruitment... ensuring no student inquiry goes unanswered. This innovation has transformed the way we engage with prospective students..." The deployment of ARNY aligns with the 1993 Welsh Language Act, which mandates equal standing for both Welsh and English languages within public bodies.
Formed in 2013, Coleg y Cymoedd serves over 10,000 students across four campuses and offers various courses from entry to degree level across 15 curriculum areas. The newly implemented AI Assistant delivered approximately £5.9 million benefits during its first year alone, breaking down as follows: £2,981,100 from increased enrolment, £376,200 from improved retention, £2,525,100 from enhanced conversion rates, and £50,800 from staff time savings.
The college has seen an 18% increase in enrolments, amounting to 523 additional students. The conversion rate jumped from 72.68% to 80.21%, resulting in 443 more successful applications. An impressive 46% of inquiries were resolved outside of normal hours, previously leaving many questions unanswered and potentially costing students their interest. Since its launch, ARNY has managed over 5,000 queries, facilitating upwards of 3,000 conversations—another indicator of its acceptance among prospective students.
Martin Neale, CEO of ICS.AI, viewed this partnership as pivotal for demonstrating the educational sector's ability to adopt advanced AI solutions. He stated: "By integrating advanced AI... setting a new standard for efficiency and user experience..." Following this initial success, the college secured government funding through the D2030 FE Capital Fund to expand its AI capabilities, with plans for ARNY to recommend courses using GPT-4 technology.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Bréanainn Lyness of Mid and East Antrim has warmly welcomed the festivities for Irish Language Week 2025, calling it a chance to promote the Irish language and culture. The events, which run from March 1 to 17, celebrate heritage through engagement with the community. Kicking off on March 12, there will be a lively evening of entertainment at the Studio Theatre at The Braid, Ballymena, featuring traditional Irish dancing, folk tales from storytellers, and performances by local musicians.
"The events will be packed full of entertainment—celebr... the rich history of the Irish language..." Lyness remarked, emphasizing the diverse lineup aims to inspire greater interest and involvement among attendees. Additional events include Cattle Battle, taking place at Carrickfergus Town Hall on March 13, 2025, which invites history enthusiasts to immerse themselves in medieval challenges through interactive gaming. The week will culminate on March 14 with a free Irish History Walking Tour of Ballymena, led by Alastair Donaghy.
These efforts by Lyness and the Mid and East Antrim council create spaces for cultural interaction, showcasing the significance of language. Given the broader push associated with Irish Language Week, authorities are reminded of the need for community-led initiatives to advocate for the preservation and growth of not only Irish but all native languages.
On the global stage, advocates like Ludmila Golovine are championing the cause of equitable language access and digital inclusion. Despite recognition of the benefits of mother tongue education, she points out major challenges remain. "Globally, 40% of learners still do not have access to education..." Golovine emphasizes the importance of governments prioritizing policies promoting mother-tongue instruction and community engagement. 2.6 billion people still lack internet access, limiting educational resources and materials available for non-mainstream languages globally.
The Sámi community serves as one successful model, where educational policies support students' rights to mother-tongue instruction. Golovine advocates for utilizing technology to advance multilingual education access. "Successful multilingual education models already exist... their communities play a pivotal role," she asserts, stressing the need for broad government support and shifts toward embracing the importance of mother-tongue education.
Combined, these stories demonstrate the intersection of innovation, cultural preservation, and educational equity across languages. From AI-enhanced student recruitment to vibrant cultural celebrations during Irish Language Week and the relentless advocacy for multilingual education, the collective efforts reveal the powerful role language plays not just within individual communities, but also globally. Engaging with these initiatives can inspire action and stimulate dialogues around cultural identity and education's pivotal role, ensuring flourishing linguistic diversity for generations to come.