The One Technology: Soch '21 | Prabandhan, IIT Kanpur

Soch ’21: The One Technology

We had earlier introduced you to the article writing competition Soch’21 which is part of Prabandhan at IIT Kanpur – the flagship management conclave, in 2021, where From The Experts Mouth (FTEM) is the Digital Media Partner. The theme of Soch’21 revolves around The One Thought which further branches out into five topics namely, One Idea, One Lesson, One Investment, One World and One Technology. We now present some prompts to trigger your thoughts on The One Technology that could make a significant impact and look forward to you sharing your thoughts and writing some enchanting words around this theme.

What Is The One Technology that can make a difference?

Soch’21 is giving you the opportunity to write on One Technology or any of the five themes as part of the contest. We are making it easier for you by adding some prompts in this post to help you get in the right zone to express your ideas and make an impact. Apart from getting published, you can also win exciting prizes and be a genuine contributor to this tech world of today. Take the initiative now and write about The One Technology that matters, whether or not your ideas are part of this post.

AR, VR & MR: The ‘Realities’ of Our Future

Over the last decade, we have witnessed some of the biggest technology breakthroughs of our lifetime. The world today is thriving on a fascinating spectrum of immersive technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality (AR, VR and MR) that have already begun to contribute tremendously to our lives by optimizing productivity across industries, streamlining workflows, enhancing efficiency and ensuring safety.

Remote working and learning, virtual healthcare and fitness, immersive entertainment and networked social interactivity are all a part of the ‘New Normal’. The new world order embraces these pathbreaking technologies as the permanent change and is all set to usher in a slew of innovations that will revolutionize our lives.

What do you think could be The One Technology to have a far-reaching impact on society and business? Can AR, VR, MR help solve critical global issues? Do you have the One Thought that can help the tech ecosystem of the world take a fresh perspective of the most pressing issues and come up with innovative solutions?

Related Read: Reality In Virtuality

Real Intelligence vs Artificial Intelligence

The debate has been brewing ever since Artificial Intelligence moved from the works of science fiction into the real world. Machines were created to make our jobs easy as they could carry out repetitive tasks. However, today, machines are expected to mimic how humans act, feel, speak, and decide and then take action in a given situation.

When compared to machines, the abilities of human beings are rather expansive. Humans can conceptualize, anticipate, feel, and form opinions in situations that are changing continuously. While human intuition carries immense potential to take decisions, the pace at which AI is evolving concerns many as they see a potential risk to mankind. On the other hand, there are some who feel that AI will augment human intelligence and not replace it.

Do you think AI carries the potential to outsmart humans and take their jobs? Do you think that AI is The One Technology that can control our society in times to come? Or the one that can peacefully coexist with humanity and can only be made to work for its benefit?

Man Vs Machine or Man and Machine

We are living in the age where the machines we created have revolutionized our workforce ecosystem with automation in areas that were once meant for only extensively trained specialists. From repetitive, factory jobs to highly intellectual professions, the full spectrum has been affected by the advent of AI that has been evolving at a dangerously good speed.

To avert a situation where the machine starts controlling the man, it is important to ensure that training imparted to the machine does not become a threat for humans. How do you think can this be achieved?

Can we envisage a world where man and machine can collaborate and carry out tasks that are aimed at the wellbeing of society and business? Do you agree talent management will need to be reimagined with the new workforce having both humans and robots? And, how do you think we can combine human and automated roles responsibly?

The One Personal Tech

Technology is intricately intertwined with our daily lives. From handheld mobile devices to wearables to virtual assistants, technology has raised our standard of living through its bundle of innovative solutions. Every other day a new product gets launched and its marketing strategies convince us of its indispensability. And, as if it were not enough, the market witnesses “upgraded and improved” versions of these products launched from time to time. We thus find ourselves perpetually tethered to devices, thus overlooking the other important aspects of our lives and neglecting our mental wellness.

While technology has indeed increased our efficiency and kept us informed, it has also made us more vulnerable by tightening its grip over our privacy, social life, health, finances, etc. How do we balance these two opposing forces?

Do you have a solution that can mitigate the adverse impact technology can have on our lives while we continue to harness its full potential? Which is the One Personal Technology that has helped you significantly? Which is the One Technology that you think can make a difference in personal lives as well as contribute to the society?

Related Read: Digital Tsunami

What’s the Next-tech?

Over the last few years the world witnessed an interesting trend emerge that emphasized the importance of technology at the core of every business. The trend called “EverythingTech” stressed that when businesses collaborate with technology, they efficiently disrupt old business models, develop innovative solutions, deliver value for money and enjoy high returns on investment. The trend got immense traction in the business ecosystem, and we saw sectors all across jumping onto the bandwagon. Thus came into existence Fintech, Biotech, Edtech, Agritech and so on. This robust collaboration of business and technology has taken the world by storm and is bound to witness many more sectors joining the league. What do you think is the ‘NextTech’ that is most relevant in the current times, a new-age tech that is not just aimed at benefitting businesses but also the society as a whole?

Next Steps In Your Quest For The One Technology

Some thoughts are coming your way and you want to materialize them? Then, let’s not wait and procrastinate anymore. Transcribe your thoughts into words and take action immediately.

Here are all the things that you need to get started:

Read more about Soch ’21, the article writing competition at Prabandhan at IIT Kanpur in association with From The Experts’ Mouth.
Register for Soch’21 on the event platform and read more about the submission guidelines

Don’t wait for the right time instead make this your right time and start writing.