Artificial intelligence is changing how students access information and redefining the role of teachers in Chilean classrooms, according to academic Magdalena Claro.
This shift matters because it challenges the traditional reliance on textbooks and internet searches, forcing educational systems to rethink how students validate knowledge. As AI tools become primary interfaces for learning, the pedagogical relationship between student and instructor is undergoing a fundamental transition.
During an interview on the program TVN Exponencial, Claro said that the way young people access information is shifting and that internet access alone is no longer sufficient.
This evolution occurs alongside a broader trend where AI companies are increasingly valuing physical and niche data sources. The cost of acquiring specialized knowledge can be high; for example, one consumer reported paying 35 euros [1] for four books with shipping costs totaling 67 euros [2].
The infrastructure required to support these AI systems also faces significant economic pressures. Fabien Curto Millet, the chief economist at Google, said that memories now account for 80% [3] of server material costs.
In the classroom, the focus is shifting from the mere retrieval of information to the critical analysis of AI-generated content. The role of the teacher is moving away from being the primary source of facts, a role previously shared with textbooks, toward becoming a guide who helps students navigate complex algorithmic outputs.
Claro said that the integration of these technologies requires a new framework for the school environment. The goal is to ensure that the efficiency of AI does not replace the critical thinking developed through traditional academic rigor.
““The AI is changing the way young people access information, it is no longer enough just with internet.””
The transition from search-engine learning to AI-driven synthesis represents a paradigm shift in literacy. While AI reduces the friction of finding information, it increases the necessity for human oversight to prevent hallucinations and misinformation. The rising cost of server hardware and the pursuit of rare physical data suggest that the 'digital' era of AI is ironically becoming more dependent on physical infrastructure and analog archives.
