International Day of Education, AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation
Jan 21, 2025 |
5 Mins ReadEvery year on January 24, people around the world come together to celebrate the International Day of Education. It’s a time to reflect on how AI in education shapes our lives, opens up opportunities, and helps build more knowledge and discoveries. For 2025, the theme is both timely and thought-provoking: "AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation."
The 2025 theme highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. It’s about exploring how learning can help us navigate new technology while making sure we stay in charge of the decisions and ideas that shape our future. With automation becoming more common, the conversation focuses on how we can balance these advances with our values and individuality while using AI responsibly.
What’s Happening This Year?
UNESCO will host a gathering at the United Nations headquarters to explore the relationship between AI and education, focusing on how education can adapt to these changes and exploring its opportunities and challenges
- Global Event in Paris: On January 24, 2025, UNESCO will host a global event in Paris focusing on the intersection of AI and education.
- Global Event in New York: A parallel event will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, addressing similar themes.
- Webinar on Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI: Organised by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, this online webinar on January 24, 2025, will explore the implications of AI for lifelong learning.
Why This Day Matters
The International Day of Education is a reminder of how essential learning is to solving big challenges, such as poverty, climate change, inequality, conflict, public health, and access to resources. It’s a moment to share progress, build connections, and spark new ideas for making education better and more inclusive. By focusing on AI this year, the goal is to encourage thoughtful discussions about how technology can work for us without losing sight of what makes us human.
Zendy and Oxford University Press Sign Agreement to Broaden Access to Academic Research
Oxford, UK – Sep, 2025 – Zendy, an AI-powered research library, and Oxford University Press (OUP), a department of the University of Oxford and one of the world’s largest university presses, have signed a licensing agreement to increase the accessibility and visibility of OUP’s academic publications. This collaboration will bring a selection of OUP’s highly regarded research and scholarly journals to agreed territories within Zendy’s user base, supporting students, researchers, and professionals across diverse fields. With over 700,000 users in 191 countries and territories, Zendy continues to grow as a trusted destination for research and discovery. By integrating a subset of OUP journals into its platform, Zendy is advancing its mission to ensure that high-quality scholarly resources are available to the people who need access the most. Oxford University Press has been publishing academic and educational resources for more than 500 years, making it one of the most established and respected publishers worldwide. Its catalogue includes thousands of journals, books, and digital resources spanning disciplines such as humanities, social sciences, medicine, law, science, and technology. These resources are central to advancing knowledge, shaping academic dialogue, and supporting evidence-based research. OUP’s owned-journals will now be available on Zendy, complementing the platform’s growing collection of journals, articles, and reports. This agreement will support researchers, educators, and policymakers by improving the discoverability of essential academic content, furthering the shared goal of building inclusive knowledge societies. For more information, please contact: Lisette van Kessel Head of Marketing Email: l.vankessel@knowledgee.com .wp-block-image img { max-width: 75% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Zendy to Showcase AI-Powered Library Innovations at the Charleston Conference 2025
We’re thrilled to announce that Zendy will be taking the stage at this year’s Charleston Conference, one of the most anticipated gatherings for librarians, publishers, and information professionals worldwide. Join us on November 4 at 11:30 AM in Salon 2, Gaillard Centre, for our live demo session titled: “Transforming Your Library Services with Zendy AI Tools.” In this interactive session, Mike Perrine (VP of Sales and Marketing, WT Cox) and Kamran Kardan (Co-Founder, Zendy) will demonstrate how Zendy’s innovative AI-driven tools are revolutionising the way libraries manage content, empower discovery, and enhance user engagement. Zendy helps solve one of the biggest challenges libraries face today, providing users with faster, smarter access to research insights. Our platform enables instant article summarisation, concept extraction, and trusted AI-powered answers through our intelligent assistant, ZAIA. With Zendy, libraries can streamline their services and give researchers a more intuitive, efficient way to interact with scholarly information. We’re also proud to share that Zendy has been selected for the prestigious Charleston Premiers, a showcase recognising the most innovative and forward-thinking products reshaping scholarly communication. Representing Zendy at the Premiers will be Kamran Kardan (Co-Founder) and Lisette van Kessel (Head of Marketing), who will present how Zendy’s mission to make knowledge accessible and affordable continues to evolve through technology and partnership. The Charleston Conference has long been a hub for meaningful dialogue and collaboration in the world of academic information services, and we’re excited to be part of shaping its future. Event Details: Session: Transforming Your Library Services with Zendy AI Tools Date: November 4, 2025 Time: 11:30 AM Location: Salon 2, Gaillard Centre We look forward to connecting with fellow innovators, librarians, and partners, and showcasing how Zendy AI is redefining what’s possible for libraries and researchers alike. Don’t miss it, see how Zendy is shaping the future of knowledge discovery. To register and learn more about the Charleston Conference, please visit: https://www.charleston-hub.com/the-charleston-conference/about-the-conference/ .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Zendy Sponsors the 4th Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA
This October, American University of Sharjah will host the 4th Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM), a leading regional event dedicated to advancing open access, collaboration, and community capacity building across the Arab world. Zendy is proud to be among the official sponsors of this year’s Forum, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to making research more accessible and equitable for all. Organised by the non-profit Forum for Open Research in MENA, the fourth edition will bring together: 26 sessions across four days 88 expert speakers Representation from 60 global institutions Delegates from 27 countries Dozens of formal and informal networking opportunities, connecting thought leaders, practitioners, and advocates throughout the MENA region Participants will explore strategies to strengthen open science practices, build sustainable infrastructures, and promote shared learning across borders. A Shared Vision for Accessible Knowledge Zendy’s mission to make academic knowledge affordable and accessible worldwide aligns closely with FORM’s goal of fostering open, collaborative research communities in the region. As a sponsor, Zendy supports initiatives that not only expand access to scholarly literature but also empower researchers, educators, and students to participate in a more transparent and connected research ecosystem. Hosted by the American University of Sharjah This year’s Forum, hosted by the American University of Sharjah, arrives in the UAE under the national theme, “The Year of Community.” The theme underscores the importance of collective progress and shared learning—values that sit at the heart of both open science and Zendy’s approach to research discovery. Theme Spotlight: “Becoming Open—Capacity Building and Community Collaboration” The 2025 theme, “Becoming Open,” highlights the human side of open science: community collaboration, capacity building, and sustainable growth. Through workshops, panels, and discussions, the Annual Forum will address how regional institutions can implement open research policies, share resources effectively, and strengthen local research infrastructures. Join us in Sharjah from October 20–23, 2025, as we celebrate and support the growing movement toward open science across the Arab world. The registration is now open, visit https://forumforopenresearch.com/registration/ .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom