JA Celebrates UNESCO International Day of Education 2025, Dedicated to Artificial Intelligence
January 24, 2025
Each year, UNESCO sets aside January 24 as International Day of Education. This year, UNESCO—the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization that promotes international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information—has dedicated International Day of Education 2025 to the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expects the day to highlight the global investment needed to train both teachers and students on the responsible use of this technology within the field of education. “AI offers opportunities for education,” Azoulay said, “provided that its deployment in schools is guided by clear ethical principles. To reach its full potential, this technology must complement the human and social dimensions of learning, rather than replace them. It must become a tool at the service of teachers and pupils, with the main objective being their autonomy and well-being. UNESCO hopes for a aiming for a global discussion on the place of this technology within education. Today, January 24, UNESCO has scheduled in-person conferences in Paris and New York, as well as an online webinar.
JA’s commitment to AI education and skills
Over the last year, JA has significantly ramped up our investment in AI education. We’ve partnered with some of the world’s largest corporations and foundations to strengthen AI literacy among young people through JA’s foundational learning experiences in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial health. Here’s an additional sample of JA’s AI initiatives and publications:
January 22, 2025: During the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, International Telecommunication Union announced the AI Skills Coalition spearheaded by AI for Good. More than 25 organizations—including JA Worldwide—will serve as founding contributors to the AI Skills Coalition, the world’s most up-to-date platform for delivering AI skills, knowledge, and expertise.
June 18, 2024: JA Worldwide and Microsoft launched the JA Worldwide AI Center of Excellence, combining JA's expertise in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial education with Microsoft's leading capabilities in artificial intelligence and technology services.
September 2024: JA Worldwide launched first wave of a global update to the JA Company Program, including masterclasses on critical topics like artificial intelligence, the circular economy, and more, aligned with the UN Global Goals (SDGs).
April 18, 2024: The JA global network celebrated AI Literacy Day with a roundup of AI initiatives around the JA network. Read more about cutting-edge work from INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA, INJAZ UAE, JA Europe, JA Hong Kong–SAR China, JA Korea, Junior Achievement USA, and Prestasi Junior Indonesia (JA Indonesia).
April 28, 2024: World Economic Forum (WEF) showcased a JA Europe pilot program that blends AI with entrepreneurship education in a new report with eight best-practice case studies.
February 26, 2024: JA Worldwide COO Caroline Jenner—along with co-authors Gus Schmedlen (TextHelp), Laura Turkington (EY), and Bhakti Vithalani (Big Spring)—spoke to staff, teachers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to better understand the benefits, challenges, and learning opportunities surrounding this transformative technology, and then published their findings and advice in EdTech Digest.