With his project, VerifyMe: A new method to authorship attribution in the post-ChatGPT age, the fifth-year student from Coláiste Chiaráin won.

In his study, the 17-year-old examined the difficulties brought about by the development of artificial intelligence (AI), which has made it necessary to distinguish between content provided by AI and that developed by humans.

After doing in-depth study on the subject, he created a unique method for material authentication: he used stylistic variations to confirm whether an AI or a person created the content.

“The judges were hugely impressed by Sean's innovative approach to addressing a problem that has only recently emerged and his programming skills in architecting a complex software solution,” stated Leonard Hobbs, the head of the technology group judging panel.

At the RDS on Friday night, O'Sullivan received the €7,500 top award from Minister of Education Norma Foley.

Seán will now represent Ireland in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Katowice, Poland later this year, after the Minister praised him for his “tremendous achievement.”

In addition, Ms. Foley honoured Dr. Tony Scott and Fr. Tom Burke, the exhibition's founders, “who had the vision and determination to first establish this event in Ireland back in 1963” as she celebrated the exhibition's 60th anniversary.

“The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition continues to demonstrate the breadth of what’s possible in our world when open and inquiring minds ask questions and explore new opportunities and solutions,” she stated.

Abigail O'Brien-Murrya, Olivia O'Shea, and Erica O'Brian-Murray, all eighteen, sixth-year students from Loreto Secondary School in Balbriggan, Dublin, were awarded best group prize for their ash tree project.