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.
We Are Speaking at the Charleston Conference 2024
We are excited to announce our participation in this year’s Charleston Conference, where we will address critical issues in the academic world: accessibility and affordability in research. In our session, “New Perspectives: Exploring Hybrid Access Alternatives to Promote Accessibility and Affordability in the Global South,” Zendy’s Co-founder, Kamran Kardan, advisor and retired distinguished librarian emeritus David Hirsch, and Zendy’s Partnership Relations Manager, Sara Crowley Vigneau, will discuss the current barriers to accessibility and affordability and latest models that combine open access and paywalled resources for more inclusive knowledge access in the global south. Join Our Session "New Perspectives: Exploring Hybrid Access Alternatives" Wednesday, November 13 | 4:00 PM | Cypress Ballroom South, Courtyard Marriott What is Charleston Conference: The Charleston Conference is an annual event focused on issues in scholarly communication, academic publishing, and library management. It brings together librarians, publishers, vendors, and research professionals to discuss developments, trends, and challenges in the fields of libraries, publishing, and knowledge access. The theme for this year’s conference is “The Sky’s The Limit!” If you’re attending the Charleston Conference, we’d love to connect! Email hello@zendy.io to book a meeting, and let’s discuss how we can create a world with greater accessibility together.
We Are Speaking and Sponsoring the Forum for Open Research in MENA
Doha, Qatar - October 2024, We are a silver sponsor at the 3rd annual event Forum for Open Research in MENA 2024 (FORM), held from October 21 to 23. This year’s conference theme is: Transforming Knowledge Into Action, The forum will take place in Doha, Qatar and is hosted in collaboration with Qatar National Library and Knowledge E Foundation. FORM is a non-profit member of the Open Science organisation, acting as a spark for positive change towards more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable research and education models in the Arab region. The aim is to help libraries, universities, research councils, and policymakers collaborate on projects and resources that support open research. As a result, they can better meet the needs of local research communities. FORM focuses on guiding these groups by sharing the latest insights and practical solutions toward a more 'open' world and encouraging collaboration across different regions. About Zendy Zendy is an AI-powered library established in 2019 to enhance accessibility and discoverability for researchers, students, teachers, and professors. Over 636,000 users worldwide utilise our in-house AI tools in their pursuit of knowledge and the latest findings. About F.O.R.M 2024 The highly anticipated 3rd annual event, F.O.R.M. This October, will present panel sessions on research development in the Arab world and valuable case studies, in addition to a series of workshops led by experts to "Transform Knowledge Into Action" To register for online or in-person attendance, please visit https://forumforopenresearch.com/ .wp-block-image img { max-width: 65% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Zendy and UNESCO Sign Partnership Agreement to Amplify Global Report Impact
Pictured (left to right) are Laura Frank, UNESCO; Cristina Puerta, Editorial Specialist UNESCO; and Sara Crowley Vigneau, Partnership Relations Manager Zendy. Dubai, UAE – October, 2024 – Zendy, the AI-powered research library, and UNESCO have signed a partnership agreement to increase the impact and discoverability of UNESCO's flagship global reports and other publications. This collaboration will make UNESCO’s critical resources available to a broader audience, especially in the global south and underserved regions. With over 700,000 users in 191 countries and territories, Zendy has become a trusted resource for researchers, students, and knowledge seekers worldwide. By integrating UNESCO's publications into its platform, Zendy is furthering its mission to ensure that key scholarly and policy resources reach those who need them most. This agreement with UNESCO complements Zendy’s ongoing efforts to reduce barriers to accessibility and promote educational equity. UNESCO’s publications include flagship global reports on the state of education, water resources, scientific advancement and research, and cultural industries; monographs and technical reports that provide specialists with expert knowledge drawn from UNESCO’s fields of competence; and unprecedented regional history series projects. These publications are an important means of maintaining, advancing and sharing knowledge, which will now be more discoverable to researchers, educators, and policymakers around the world. “Partnering with UNESCO is a pivotal step towards our mission of reducing inequalities in access to knowledge,” said Zendy Co-founder Kamran Kardan. “This collaboration reinforces our shared commitment to increasing the accessibility of essential information, empowering communities that have long been excluded from the global flow of ideas and research. Together, we aim to create a more inclusive knowledge ecosystem where everyone has the opportunity to learn, contribute, and thrive.” UNESCO’s resources will now be available to Zendy’s growing user base, supporting informed decision-making and research endeavors across diverse fields. Translated into over 70 languages, UNESCO’s publications illustrate the Organization's mission to promote multilingualism, essential factor in harmonious communication among peoples. This partnership aligns with UNESCO’s vision of fostering inclusive knowledge societies and supporting the free flow of ideas, ultimately driving forward the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more information, please contact:Monica ChinsamiHead of MarketingEmail: m.chinsami@zendy.io About ZendyZendy is an AI-powered, mission-driven library dedicated to increasing the accessibility and discoverability of scholarly literature, particularly in the global south and underserved regions. The platform currently serves over 700,000 users across 191 countries and territories, offering a comprehensive collection of academic journals, articles, and reports to empower researchers, educators, and students around the world. About UNESCOWith 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2,300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2,000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13,000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.