AIEP professional institute has begun integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across its entire academic curriculum, aiming to adapt technical and vocational training to the new demands of the labor market, according to latercera.com.
Nicolás Ocaranza, Academic Vice Rector of AIEP, noted that the educational system must respond to an accelerated period of change where technical competencies quickly lose relevance. "The market needs professionals who know how to apply AI to their specific discipline to solve real-world problems," the executive stated.
The institution is facing the challenge of a drastically shortened lifecycle for technical careers. Ocaranza cited mining as an example, noting that remote operations transitioned from science fiction to an operational standard in Santiago just two decades ago.
Challenges in technical education
For the technical-vocational subsector, the speed of curriculum updates represents the primary structural barrier. A cutting-edge skill today may become automated or obsolete by the time a student receives their degree.
AIEP's strategy focuses on implementing more flexible educational models through modular coursework and micro-credentials. This approach seeks to maintain a permanent link with industry to prevent curriculum gaps.
The second priority is the functional integration of AI. According to the report by latercera.com, the goal is for the technology to be more than just theoretical content, serving instead as a practical tool in fields such as construction, healthcare, and data analysis.
Finally, Ocaranza highlighted the need to break the cultural hierarchy that positions university education above technical training. The Vice Rector pointed out that strong economies, such as Germany, Switzerland, and South Korea, base their success on robust and prestigious technical systems.
He maintained that technical and vocational education offers better youth employability rates and a higher return on investment. For Chile, strengthening this sector represents a strategic necessity for the country's productive development.
