Newmag and Galaxy initiated the “21 lessons and 21 challenges” discussion series (photos, video in Armenian)

The most relevant and vital challenges and lessons of the 21st century can be found in Yuval Noah Harari's books. In 2020, Galaxy Group of Companies and Newmag Publishing House published the Armenian translation of Harari’s most popular trilogy: “Sapiens”, “Homo Deus'' and “21 Lessons for the 21st Century”. The discussions were held around the challenges presented in these books.

Artak Aleksanyan, the executive director of Newmag, claims that the education sector already has new requirements and soon we will encounter the requirements of the 21st century in the field of our chosen profession. “Over the next two years, 75 million jobs will be closed due to artificial intelligence. Instead, 135 million new jobs will be created worldwide. Artificial intelligence is not terrifying, but it should be alarming, because it creates new economic realities, new economic units and consequently, requires new knowledge.”

   

After all, is technology the greatest evil created by humans or the salvation of mankind? How have computers and robots changed human life? Shushan Harutyunyan, the director of communications in Galaxy Group of Companies, states that Harari’s formulations are sometimes disturbing. “We are now going through a rather interesting phase in the history of mankind, where new technologies, new values have been created, but we continue to live with the old mentality, old ethical and legal regulations. We will either overcome the system and live in solidarity for the next century, or Harari’s predictions will come true.”

    

Harari talks about a new standard of acquiring knowledge. If in the past you received your knowledge at university, specialized in it, got a job, now it is the minimum you can do. If you want to become a competitive professional, get a high salary, live a dignified life, then congratulations, every 5 years you need to learn a new profession. 

   

The company founded by Hayk Manasyan, one of the speakers during the discussion, helps young people to choose a profession and presents the modern tendencies. “I have been working for many years in this sphere and during all these years I have been supporting the business sector through educational channels. Currently I have a 75-year-old student, who has just finished the sales course. He is very enthusiastic.”

Meetings in the format of “book, wine and discussions” will be held continuously. The evening is summed up around a glass of wine.