It is no exaggeration to say that
technology has changed our lives like never before. It has revolutionised
modern living. As we step usher into yet another new decade of 21st
century, more than ever the world is seeking the refuge of science and
technology to tackle the daunting challenges. Advances in science and
technology offers the promise of providing solutions to the real-world
problems. The phenomenal transformation in general living conditions with the
advent of technology in modern times is seamless.
Triggering the spark of innovation,
technology seeded the development of gadgets which changed the way we
communicate, access information, voice our opinions, conduct business, shop for
goods and services. It radically transformed television viewing experiences and
added a new realm to the entertainment industry. Technology is enriching and
enhancing our lives like never before. Unlike in the past people are no longer
sceptical about embracing new technology. They are technologically savvy. By
consciously welcoming and adopting new technologies current generation is
heralding innovation. This wider acceptance is paving way for faster evolution
of technology.
With time, the creation of these
technological tools has become the most profitable and wealthiest of ventures.
The accelerating pace of technology has substantially increased ease of doing
business and generated immense business opportunities. Enthused by a
perceptible change brought about by new technologies, venture capitalists and
prospective businesses are investing billions into companies indulging in development
of cutting-edge technologies. Marshalling the World into the “4th
Industrial Revolution”, the next decade will portend the advent of “Frontier
Technologies or deep tech” which includes- Artificial intelligence or machine
learning, Robotics, Computational biology, Extended Reality (XR), Personalised
and predictive medicine, quantum computing, space technology, advanced
manufacturing using 3-D printing and
block chain technology.
Steadily Artificial Intelligence
(AI) is evolving as a useful replacement in service sector. It is now
increasingly employed for improving customer experience and streamlining
business activities. Last year, China has reportedly rolled out cyber courts
with AI judges and verdicts being delivered on chat apps. The pilot program is
now closely monitored for its largescale implementation. Under the banner of
digitisation of its sprawling judicial system China is putting cyber
technologies to use. Since the launch of the mobile courts in March 2019,
reportedly three million legal cases and judicial procedures were handled by
these cyber courts. India which is grappling under the burden of judicial
pendency can certainly take a leaf out of Chinese book.
Similarly, AI-monitored autonomous
driving is another important aspect which is being increasingly experimented in
developed countries. Google sister company Waymo has successfully completed the
trial of autonomous taxis in California last year. While there might be
glitches in the adoption of autonomous vehicles in public transport, they can
be extremely beneficial in shipping and truck industry.
Various health parameters which are
collected by the smart phones and other wearable devices are now used to
diagnose ailments if any. This health data is becoming an important primer for
the popular stream of personalised medicine. Instead of one size fits all
approach, personalised and predictive medicine is evolving as an effective
method to address specific disease conditions. Another important outcome of the
deep technologies has been the 3-D organ printing. 3-D bioprinting of tissues
and organs for transplanting has become heart and soul of the regenerative
medicine. While the 3-D bioprinting is in formative stages of development for
functional organs, it is successfully developed for skin and bones. Recently
San Diego based Organovo, successfully implanted 3-D prints of human liver
tissue patches in mice.
Already computational biology with
its immense potential to study biological, ecological, behavioural and social
systems through application of data-analytics, theoretical methods,
mathematical modelling and computational simulation techniques have marvelled
the world with the power of the interdisciplinary integration of knowledge
systems. New technological advances will perceptibly enhance our understanding
of the biological systems. Indeed, evolving technology will bolster the allied
fields of computational biology like applied mathematics, statistics,
biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, genetics and genomics. Advancements
in computational power will concomitantly help in data management, imaging &
sensing technologies and material sciences as well.
Latest devices endowed with
computer vision capable of facial or image recognition are changing the
contours of surveillance and monitoring. Google’s Image search is an offshoot
of this technology. Gadgets equipped with computer vision are now extensively
used by aviation sector. Dubai and Changi Airport which experience heavy
footfall of passengers have opened cutting edge digital terminal for automatic
check-in through facial scanning. Akin to the accessing smart phones through
facial recognition, these technologies are now put to use to monitor crowds,
identify criminals in some countries. Though it has potential danger of eroding
privacy, given its inherent facial recognition capabilities law and order
maintenance agencies are milling the large-scale use of these technologies to
identify criminal elements.
With its immersive digital
experience and capacities to create surreal experiences, virtual, augmented and
mixed reality is taking the world by a storm. This computer-generated virtual
world had added a new dimension to the entertainment industry. Virtual Reality
(VR) which has been a part of infotainment and high-end videogames is now being
put to business use as well. VR is used for training and simulation offering new
ways to interact with customers. VR together with block chain technology are
offering fascinating possibilities. Block-Chain is a ledger of transactions
secured due to its encrypted and decentralised nature. Employing the block
chain technology, Facebook planned to launch crypto currency Libra. Though it
couldn’t take off, the possibilities offered by the rising tide of improvised
technologies is vast.
Unfortunately, despite its huge
demographic dividend and sizeable technology savvy enthusiasts, India hasn’t
been a cradle of technological development. While India has firmly established
itself as a prominent player in space technology through commercial satellite
launching, it is not home to the big technological ventures as yet. Booming
technology startups are offering a new hope.
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