Neither ideas nor ideologies... Technology, evolving at an unprecedented pace, is the new architect of our future.

For several hundred years, ‘ideologies’ have been shaping the course of history. From the French Revolution to the end of the 20th century (1980-90), ideologies and doctrines were at the helm of the world. However, as early as 1960, renowned thinker and sociologist Daniel Bell wrote the famous book ‘The End of Ideology’. 

In 1992, renowned thinker Fukuyama's book ‘The End of History and the Last Man’ was published. In 2023, thinkers Greg Berman and Aubrey Fox's much-discussed book ‘Gradual’ was published. The essence of this is that the world is being rebuilt from scratch.

For the past 200 years, ideas and technology have been locked in a race, much like the tortoise and the hare. But today, technology is in the driver's seat of the world. In this age of artificial intelligence, the world is undergoing a renaissance and massive change. Everything is changing and will change rapidly.

Experts say that between 2021 and 2030, artificial intelligence will completely transform the world and our lives. Miracles of AI are emerging in medicine and other applied sciences. They will come.

Three years ago, Russian President Putin said that artificial intelligence is the future. Not just for Russia, but for all of humanity and the world. It brings immense opportunities and possibilities. But it also brings challenges and destruction.

It is also bringing new variables, whose assessment or prediction is difficult. Whoever leads in this field will rule the world. In November 2021, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a public gathering that 'The digital age is changing everything around us. It has redefined politics, economics, and society. It is raising new questions about sovereignty, governance, ethics, law, rights, and security. It is reshaping international competition, power, and leadership from scratch. (These are the author's own views)   

Other states are calling for the best institutions... we are still stuck in the mud. Read part 6 tomorrow...

This has ushered in a new era of progress, prosperity, and opportunities. Technology has become a major tool and medium for international competition. It is playing a key role in shaping the future global order. Technology and data have become the new weapons. (Business Standard, November 18, 2021)

Sam Altman, the American champion and global leader of the AI boom, founded his startup at the age of nineteen. In 2015, he established 'OpenAI'. 'ChatGPT' is a product of this very company. In November 2022, OpenAI made ChatGPT publicly available for free for 'research review'. 

The world was stunned. In an earlier interview with a major American newspaper, Sam had expressed certain sentiments about its significance. He stated that this instrument (Artificial Intelligence) has the potential to provide the world with wealth, prosperity, or opportunities that are unimaginable. At the same time, it also possesses an unimaginable capacity-power that could devastate the world. Underlining its importance in human scientific research, he compared it to the Manhattan Project (America's first nuclear test in 1945, led by Prof. Robert Oppenheimer).

Are Putin's statement, the Indian Prime Minister's statement, and the words of the inventor of ChatGPT relevant to Jharkhand? Does it have any connection to this assembly election?

For the past several years, there has been a race to set up companies to manufacture advanced things like chips and semiconductors in various states of India. India is fully committed to becoming a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing. The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association says that by 2030, semiconductor consumption here will double to Rs 9.25 lakh crore. 

This will be 10% of the world's demand. Six lakh new jobs are coming up in the next six years. Currently, there are more than 35,000 engineers in this field. Renowned companies have invested Rs 1.5 lakh crore in this sector.

The future legislators of Jharkhand should tell us if there is any vision or plan for Jharkhand to get opportunities in this sector and establish its place. Until now, there has been no such vision from the previous governments.

So, the question is, is Jharkhand ready to take advantage of this opportunity? Does it have the required infrastructure, skilled manpower, and conducive policy environment?

The answer lies in the hands of the people of Jharkhand. They should elect representatives who understand the importance of technology and innovation, and who have a vision for Jharkhand's future. The question is, is Jharkhand ready for these changes?

Many states are rapidly formulating policies in this direction. They are attracting opportunities, knowledge, technology, and expert companies from both within and outside the country. Future jobs will be created in these sectors. Where will Jharkhand be in the future of India? We cannot simply dismiss it by saying we will see when the time comes. We must learn from the past. If we lagged in technology, we became enslaved or powerless. This is the past of many countries, including India. 

In the 1990s, changes occurred with liberalization and globalization. Southern states recognized opportunities, formulated their policies accordingly, and established a place for themselves in the global software industry. Moreover, talent from these southern states has become the backbone of the global software and technology industry. They are leading many of the world's major tech companies.

The responsibility of recognizing this opportunity and taking timely steps lies with the future representatives. Is there a plan to create fertile ground for the blossoming of such talent in Jharkhand? Do the representatives you are about to elect have the answer to this? This question must be asked, especially since this discourse is often absent in state elections. Ultimately, who is responsible for the overall development of states? Who is constitutionally responsible for law and order? Who formulates land and industrial policies? Who holds the keys to health and education? Whose responsibility is it to envision the future 25-30 years ahead?

A few decades ago (when Jharkhand was still young), many states (especially in the South) prepared vision documents for the next 20-25 years with the help of experts. They then formulated strategies and followed that path. Today, they have progressed significantly.

However, even after two decades of its formation, Jharkhand remains cursed with unemployment and underdevelopment. Which political party or candidate has such a vision document?

If this crucial issue does not become a central point of public discourse, then dreaming of a better future is impossible. States are the ones who formulate land policies. They are responsible for law and order. States control local policies for health, industry, and labour. The real key to health and education lies with the states.

Courtesy: Dainik Bhaskar

Translated & Edited by : Smita DeyTarafder