by Elton Gomes
The terrible loss of a loved one has affected all of us at some point. While some of us might be able to cope effectively, others may have a tough time. In todays day and age, technology might just have an answer to deal with a loved ones absence. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has unveiled a technology called Cyber Twin. Cyber twin a digital replica of ones personality that can live on and adapt to new knowledge and thoughts after ones death can make such a scenario possible, the DSTs secretary, Professor Ashutosh Sharma said, India Science Wire reported.
While delivering a lecture on future of science, technology and innovation organized by the Research and Information System, Prof Sharma said that the DST is hoping to be a frontrunner in this technology as it seems well thought out. In future, people will be ready to pay for creating their cyber twins, and it could be a good business, he said.
Cyber Twin is just one of many technologies primed for take-off in India. The technology gives scientists a platform to contribute. The DST has launched an inter-disciplinary mission on Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) to work on future technologies, including machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and data science. In the 2018 budget, the Centre has allocated Rs 100 crore for research related to CPS. Government think tank, the NITI Aayog has been instrumental in promoting technology in India, and has recently published a discussion paper on the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.
Elaborating on how CPS functions, Prof Sharma said that the real or physical world is connected with the virtual world of information processing through communication networks, computing, sensors and actuators.
With the coming of AI and CPS in future, the anchors of knowledge as we know today will be threatened or challenged. Education, jobs and skills will have to be recalibrated. Companies may employ human-machine pairs. Yet human traits such as intuition, creativity and synthesis, and subjects like philosophy will continue to be handled by humans. No computer can deal with these at least for the next fifty years, Prof Sharma said, according to the Better India.
India promotes futuristic technologies
In February 2018, the Niti Aayog planned to set up a national programme to steer efforts in artificial intelligence towards national development. “We are not only focusing on ‘Ease of Doing Business’ but also ‘Ease of Living’,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, the Economic Times reported. In an attempt to reduce frauds, increase transparency of transactions, and boost the digital economy, the Niti Aayog planned to develop IndiaChain, the countrys largest blockchain network.
The Indian telecom industry seems to be investing heavily in Internet of Things (IoT). Kavita Gupta, a telecom consultant, said that IoT is one of the fastest growing segments for Vodafone in India. With a focus on smart cities, utilities, and people safety, Tata Communications has invested roughly $100 million in IoT. It can be said that India has taken substantive steps to promote future technologies. What remains to be seen is how fast will India be able to reap the rewards of such future initiatives.
Elton Gomes is a staff writer at Qrius