RAJ IAS ACADEMY Yojana (June 2022) Page 1

RAJ MALHOTRA’S IAS ACADEMY, CHANDIGARH

YOJANA (JUNE 2022) - NEW AGE TECH 2
Decoding Modern Tech Terms 2
Digital Disruptor 3
Deep-Tech Startups 4
AI in Education 5
Non-fungible tokens 5

 RAJ IAS ACADEMY Yojana (June 2022) Page 2

YOJANA (JUNE 2022) - NEW AGE TECH

Decoding Modern Tech Terms
Blockchain Technology -

• A system whereby information about transactions is stored on a countless computers spread

across the glob.

• It is considered an alternative to the conventional banking system.

• Along with banks, this also applies to mobile payment system.

NFTs -

• The success of Blockchain as an independent means of storing and authenticating information

has created many more innovations, one of these is Non Fungible Token or NFT.

• Here the information is stored in the blockchain system itself, especially in a system called
ethereum.

• Under NFT system a kind of digital certi cate is issued that such an original thing unique in
the world.

IOT -

• Internet of Things or, more accurately the internet of devices, is all about connecting devices
over the internet and letting them ‘talk’ to us, applications and each other.

• This allows huge amounts of data to be collected and transferred, which can then be used for
multiple practical purposes.

• However, Internet of Things doesn’t necessarily have to be connected to the internet, it can also
be a network of things.

• A common example are wristwatches with sensors that can track the wearers’ heartbeat and
pass on the information to our smartphones via bluetooth.

• The smartphone can store that data on cloud after which it can be accessed at any point of time
to view a report card of how your heart has been behaving for over a period of a week or a
month.

Metaverse -

• A simplistic way to look at the metaverse is as a parallel, virtual, world where users can have
di erent identities, possessions and characters.

• In the complex explanation, Metaverse is supposed to be the post-Internet world, a

decentralised computing platform of sorts if you will, which is continuous, and live.

• It is an entirely digital economy, and the way most Silicon valley intellectuals see this,
metaverse exists both in the digital and physical realm.

• Virtual reality would be an element of this metaverse, but the idea goes beyond just donning a
VR headset and starting to play a game.

• According to Ball, the metaverse does not reset or pause or end, but “continues inde nitely.”

• Metaverse is not something that just one company can build. Nor is Facebook the only one
working on this. Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, has big plans for the metaverse using its
unreal engine.

• In fact, Fortnite already has many elements which would conform to the idea such as live
events, its own currency, etc.

Quantum Computing -

• The Quantum computing is much talked about because of its in nite power.

• A Quantum computer can perform calculations millions of times faster than a normal
computer, and that is why it can prove to be a boon for humanity.

• Traditional computers work based on a fundamental unit of binary digits (0-1 Bit).

• On the other hand the quantum computers adopts qubit(quantum bit).

• The qubit value can be 0, 1 or both.

Arti cial Intelligence -

ff
fi
fi
fi
fi
 RAJ IAS ACADEMY Yojana (June 2022) Page 3
• AI refers to ability of human beings to learn analyse think, understand, solve problems, make
decision, etc, similar to human being.

• Machines equipped with AI will become powerful and intelligent and compete with human
beings capabilities.

For example features like machine translation, voice to text conversion and voice assistance
these days are reached to us because of AI.

Cloud Computing -

• Cloud computing implies using the resources available on the internet on your computers
or devices.

• Cloud computing has made vast computational power and storage space available to us, and
technology like AI required for its calculations.

Digital Disruptor
The economic and nancial landscape are being revolutionised by rapid breakthroughs in
technology, which more often than not are disruptive with immense long-term potential to bene t
society at large.

What is a Digital Disruptor?

• Digital disruptor describes the change that happens when new digital technologies,
services, capabilities and governance models a ect and change the value of the existing
services.

• Generally, digital disruption happens after a digital innovation, such as big data, machine
learning (ML), internet of things (IoT).
• It is often confused with the term disruptive technology.

Why do we need e ective digital technology?

• E ectively governing digital technologies is an urgent necessity in a world interconnected by
and reliant on information and communications technologies (ICT), for both economic and social
exchange.

• Right now, the numerous failures of governance – in terms of cybersecurity, privacy,

consumer protection, antitrust and other legal and regulatory measures – have signi cantly
destabilised institutions around the world.

• Even more importantly, these erosions of institutional capacity and credibility threaten to
destabilise the functioning of democracy itself.

• In order to save democracy from our own digital tools, we need to adopt a new model of
governing digitally – public leaders must take a systemic approach to these problems and
collaborate widely and e ectively to meet these challenges.

Some of the Broad Domain Areas with respect to Technology -

• AI and Machine Learning - AI technologies provide a plethora of opportunities to complement

human intelligence and combat socio-economic issues.

• Quantum Computing - Applications in secure communication, disaster management through

better prediction, computing, simulation, chemistry, healthcare, cryptography, imaging, etc.

• Semiconductor Technology including Semiconductor Nanotechnology - Aim to give a major

push to the hardware industry by eliminating boundaries between digital and physical world.

• Smart Manufacturing - Use of Internet of things(IOT), Block chain, Big data analytics, AI and
Robotics as a part of Industry 4.0, More commercial use of additive manufacturing i.e. 3D
printing.

• Smart Mobility - Use of IOT and AI/ML in new age transportation and logistics solutions,
autonomous and remotely piloted vehicles, vehicles powered by renewables and clean fuels.

• Advanced Communication Technology and its Security - Adoption of 5G, Cloud Computing,
Optical Fibre, Tele Health, More Secure Cryptography Solution, Use of Homomorphic
Encryption Technologies.

• Space Technologies - Satellite-Based Quantum Communication, Quantum Radar, Self Eating

Rocket, Self Vanishing Satellite, Self Healing Materials, Humanoid Robotics, Space-Based Solar
Power, Make in Space Concept, AI Based Space Application.

ff
ff
fi
ff
ff
fi
fi
 RAJ IAS ACADEMY Yojana (June 2022) Page 4
• Blockchain-Based Technologies - Decentralised Financing(DeFi), Sovereign Digital
Currencies.

• Biotechnology - Synthetic DNA, Development Of Vaccines, 4D Printing and Tissue Engineering,

Gene Editing, Gene Sequencing, Quantum Microscope, Biosensors, etc.

• Agri-Food Technologies - Climate Resilient Farming, High Yielding Seed Variety, Resource
conscious and frugal irrigation

• Climate and Environment Conservation - Green and Sustainable Technologies, Renewable

Energy such as Solar, Green Hydrogen, etc.

Conclusion -

Digitalisation in this age has to be the common link in all the sectors of any successful economy
as well as in all the aspects of a progressive society.

Deep-Tech Startups
The startup India Platform which started in 2016, has been instrumental in encouraging startups
and integrating them with the corporate and investment community.

Over 26 states in India have a startup policy. Yet, in India’s population of 130 crores, only the top
25% (a uent and middle class) bene t from the fruits of technological progress. This is because
most of the high-tech goods and services are designed in the developed world for rich
people. India is behind developed countries because we lack deep-tech startups.

What is Deep-tech Startup?

• Deep-tech startups are those whose business models are based on high-tech innovation in
engineering or signi cant scienti c advances.

• The term deep tech is intended to set it aside from its opposite, “shallow tech”. Shallow tech is
a relatively simple technological advance moving a business from a non-digital business model
to a digital one.

• India had about 2,100 deep-tech startups as of 2020, as per industry body Nasscom.

• Deep tech startups constitute less than one per cent of the number of startups, far below
what is a fast growing complex and large economy like India should have.

What India is Loosing?

The absence of deep tech startups harms India considerably by weakening her capability to
meaningfully address complex socio-economic challenges that a ict our society in multiple
sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transportation, energy, etc.

Need For deep tech startups -

• Deep tech startups arise from research-based disruptive innovations from STEM labs of
academic/research institutions and solve hard problems and challenges.

• Some examples are Recycling Sewage, a ordable solutions for treating diseases, and creating
an alternative to Lithium-Ion batteries and a low-cost satellite launching system.

• Few examples – Moderna, SpaceX, Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Tesla, etc.

Challenges before deep tech startups -

There are three major challenges that a deep tech startup has vis-a-vis other startups(including
tech-based startups) face —

• Need longer gestation for development (5-8 years).

• Require di erent types of inputs — They require more patient capital, specialised talent and
expert knowledge in more than one domain.

• Follows a di erent development path-Breakthrough technology.

Way forward -

By linking development grants/seed investment programmes for deep tech startups with a robust
customer discovery exercise, we can create in India a signi cant amount of robust and creative
deep tech ecosystem.

ffl
ff
ff
fi
fi
fi
ff
fi
ffl
 RAJ IAS ACADEMY Yojana (June 2022) Page 5

AI in Education
The UGC has recently recommended the application of modern teaching techniques which
include hybrid mode.

In this scenario, Arti cial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to address some of the biggest
challenges in education today, innovate teaching and learning practices, and ultimately accelerate
the progress towards SDG 4. However, these rapid technological developments inevitably bring
multiple risks and challenges, which have so far outpaced policy debates and regulatory
frameworks.

About AI -

• Arti cial Intelligence (AI) uses the ability of the computer or computer-enabled system to
process the information and produce outcomes similar to human rational behaviour for solving
the problem and for decision making.

• The goal of AI is to make smart computer system like humans to solve complex problems.

• The technology can be applied in education system.

Applications Of AI in Education -

• Robot Teachers

• Personalised Education

• Tutoring

• Automated Grading System

• Natural Language Processing

• Administrative Tasks

• Creation Of Smart Content

• Multilingual Teaching

Beijing Consensus On AI -

• Representatives from the UNESCO’s Member States, international organisations, academic

institutions, civil society and the private sector have adopted the Beijing Consensus on
Arti cial Intelligence and Education, at the International Conference on Arti cial Intelligence and
Education held in Beijing in 2019.

• It is the rst-ever document to o er guidance and recommendations on how best Member

States can respond to the opportunities and challenges brought by AI for accelerating the
progress toward SDG 4.

• The Consensus rea rms a humanistic approach to deploying AI technologies in education

for augmenting human intelligence, protecting human rights and for promoting sustainable
development through e ective human-machine collaboration in life, learning and work.

• The Consensus details the policy recommendations on AI in education in ve areas —

• AI for education management and delivery;

• AI to empower teaching and teachers;

• AI for learning and learning assessment;

• Development of values and skills for life and work in the AI era; and

• AI for o ering lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• It also elaborates recommendations corresponding to four cross-cutting issues —

• Promoting equitable and inclusive use of AI in education;

• Gender-equitable AI and AI for gender equality;

• Ensuring ethical, transparent and auditable use of education data and algorithms; and

• Monitoring, evaluation and research.

Non-fungible tokens
NFT(Non-fungible tokens)  is a technology that allows creators and artists to bypass
intermediaries altogether. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), a type of digital asset, have exploded in
popularity these days, with NFT artworks selling for millions of dollars.

With the invention of NFT, decentralisation has taken place and has allowed artists and creators
to gain control – not just over the nancial value of their artworks but also over the ownership and
copyright of the same.

fi
fi
ff
fi
ffi
fi
ff
fi
ff
fi
fi
 RAJ IAS ACADEMY Yojana (June 2022) Page 6

What is an NFT?
• An NFT is a digital asset that exists on a blockchain. The blockchain serves as a public
ledger, allowing anyone to verify the asset’s authenticity and ownership.

• So unlike most digital items which can be endlessly reproduced, each NFT has a unique
digital signature, meaning it is one of a kind.

• NFTs are usually bought with the cryptocurrency Ether or in dollars and the blockchain
keeps a record of transactions.

• While anyone can view the NFTs, the buyer has the status of being the o cial owner – a kind of
digital bragging rights.

What kind of NFTs exist?

• All kinds of digital objects – images, videos, music, text and even tweets – can be turned into
an NFT.

• Digital art has seen some high-pro le sales, while in sports, fans can collect and trade NFTs
relating to a particular player or team.

• NFTs can also be patches of land in virtual world environments, or exclusive use of a
cryptocurrency wallet name.

When did NFT start?

Started with a set of 10,000 randomly generated pixelated images that proved the demand for
digital ownership of non-physical objects and collections in 2017, and the market has been
evolving ever since.

Why NFT now?

• Some attribute it to lockdowns forcing people to spend more time at home on the internet.

• But NFTs are also a way to have possessions that can be viewed by owners’ online friends.

• For others, the lure lies in rapidly rising prices and the prospect of big returns.

• Recent years have also created a lot of crypto millionaires with Ethereum to spend.

Who controls NFT?

NFTs are based on the decentralised cryptocurrencies where the control does not remain with
any nancial institution constituted by the government but is purely driven by market forces and
volition of the people or computers connected in a Blockchain Network.

Why are NFTs important?

• Enthusiasts see NFTs as the future of ownership. All kinds of property – from event tickets to
houses – will eventually have their ownership status tokenised in this way, they believe.

• For artists, NFTs could solve the problem of how they can monetise digital artworks. They can
receive more income from NFTs, as they can get a royalty each time the NFT changes hands
after the initial sale.

• NFTs could also transform music.

What are the risks?

• Given that anybody can create NFTs, the scarcity of each piece does not guarantee value.
Losses can stack up if the hype dies down.

• In a market where many participants use pseudonyms, fraud is also a risk.

fi
fi
ffi