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5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS institutions revolution ical parallels to previous techno- logical disruptions. "It happened 300 years ago when the book was introduced in the classroom, and the academics complained be- cause now students would have the book, and so in their mind they didn't need teachers any- more. The same thing happened in 1993 when the internet was in- troduced." He predicted AI integration will follow similar patterns but faster: "It took the internet 10 to 15 years to gain acceptance. Generative AI will likely be accepted in about five." However, he warned against "cognitive unloading", the risk that over-reliance on technology could erode critical thinking skills. "Cognitive unloading is that point where the technology is not assist- ing me. It's replacing me, and this is what we want to avoid." Sant also predicted AI would transform education "from being reactive to proactive", with re- al-time progress tracking allowing early intervention for struggling students. "Assessments will likely shift from memorisation-based exams to process-driven evaluations that value creativity, problem-solv- ing, and critical thinking," he ex- plained. Montebello also described AI as an advanced collaborator, ex- plaining how researchers can now analyse hundreds of papers in- stantly, a process that previously took weeks. However, Theuma said the tools must be "fit for purpose" and sup- ported by proper training. "If AI tools are used blindly, without context or adaptation, they lose their value," he explained. "Teach- ers need to know how to interpret AI outputs, not just rely on them." Theuma also noted that while AI can simplify certain academic processes, it must not replace the core of learning. "Students still need to think critically, analyse sources, and create their own ar- guments," he emphasised.