Zubair Junjunia, founder of ZNotes, on embracing edtech in an AI-shaped future
Fresh from featuring in the latest Forbes 30 Under 30 list for social impact, our next guest on Heads & Tales is the prodigious entrepreneur Zubair Junjunia. At 16, Zubair founded ZNotes, a student-powered learning platform that aims to level the global playing field in education. Ten years later, the revision platform now supports over six millions students across 190 countries, providing equal opportunity regardless of educational background.
His career is decorated accordingly – Zubair was awarded the Diana Legacy Award and Freedom of the City of London, and was named a UK Youth Leader for the Global Partnership for Education and Generation17 Young Leader. He has a master's degree in maths from UCL and has run 5k every day for the last nine years – equating to nearly 16,500 km of running. But beyond the veneer of his accolades, Zubair is a true champion of student empowerment, peer-led learning and using education to transform communities. In this episode, he discusses his career to date and where he sees the future of education heading into an AI-dominated world.
🎙️ Episode highlights
Zubair shares the story of how ZNotes came about from his GCSE revision notes.
He recalls teaching him and his friends A level maths and further maths in an empty classroom, going as far as setting up mock exams.
He reveals ZNotes's first setback: a hacking attack in the midst of studying for his A levels.
He discusses the importance of student empowerment and how it doesn't undermine the role of teachers.
Zubair reveals his predictions for the future of education and how AI will play its part for good.
He shares his thoughts on the issue that's currently dividing the sector: smartphones in schools.
His parting wisdom – embrace technology or risk being left behind...