What next after Chandrayaan-3?: Technology trends shaping the nation
India's audacious endeavours in space exploration reached a zenith with the successful launch and landing of Chandrayaan-3, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Launched on July 14, 2023, this monumental mission saw the spacecraft make a triumphant touchdown in the Moon's elusive south polar region on August 23, 2023. However, the Chandrayaan-3 mission is not merely about landing on the lunar surface. Both the lander and the rover brim with advanced scientific instruments, each meticulously designed to unveil deeper mysteries of the Moon and augment our understanding of our celestial neighbour.
As we bask in the success of Chandrayaan-3, one can't help but wonder: Where does India head next in the grand scheme of technological advancement? Let's explore the technology trends charting India's path forward.
Artificial Intelligence:
As India marches ahead in its tech journey, Artificial Intelligence (AI) remains pivotal. Predictions by TeamLease Services Ltd reveal a promising 18% growth in India’s AI sector by 2025. It's not just the numbers that talk; it's the pervasive application of AI across various sectors.
AI's reach is vast, from aiding e-commerce with chatbots to fortifying data security and revamping healthcare. The increasing reliance on virtual assistants and the intertwining of AI with industrial automation showcase a trend where AI will soon touch every aspect of human existence. Education, travel, tourism, robotics, gaming, and lifestyle sectors will experience significant shifts.
Web 3.0
Web 3.0 signifies the ongoing metamorphosis of the World Wide Web, marking its third evolutionary phase. Beyond the simple reading functionalities of Web 1.0 and the "read- write" features of Web 2.0, Web 3.0 champions a "read-write-execute" paradigm. At its heart lies decentralisation, fostering an open-source, interactive web platform bolstered by user contributions.
By intertwining the prowess of AI and machine learning, Web 3.0 heralds a new era of community-centric networks. These networks empower users to craft, disseminate, and bond over diverse web content unfettered by any central authority. It’s not just about content creation; it's about redefining digital enterprise. Start-ups and entrepreneurs stand to gain significantly, as they can now devise disruptive, decentralised business frameworks, capitalising on groundbreaking technologies like blockchain, decentralised finance, and expansive metaverses.
5G
Having been unveiled last year, 5G wireless technology has earmarked a promising digital future for India. Forecasts suggest that by 2024, this transformative tech will have widespread coverage in India. But what does 5G offer?
For starters, heightened mobile broadband capabilities, astonishing data speeds, and an uptick in network reliability. But the real magic begins when 5G meets AI. This union promises an interconnected world, bridging everything from humans to devices.
The impending future teems with possibilities: envision futuristic factories, augmented AI capabilities, cutting-edge entertainment, and healthcare that transcends boundaries.
Extended Reality
Extended Reality (ER) is set to redefine how humans perceive the world. ER’s potential is evident in the increasing investments within India, encompassing virtual, augmented, and mixed reality.
Beyond providing fascinating user experiences, these technologies promise a paradigm shift in the professional realm. Enterprises will leverage them for remote collaborations, enhancing team communications, design decision-making, and immersive product demonstrations.
Robotic Process Automation
The business landscape in India is transforming, thanks to Robotic Process Automation (RPA). The benefits? Enhanced processes, improved productivity, reduced human errors, and significant cost and time savings. According to the IDC APJ Automation Survey of 2022, 84% of Indian businesses are set to amplify their RPA efforts by 2025.
Across diverse sectors, from manufacturing to telecom, RPA is ushering in an era of hyper- automation, streamlining operations and enabling humans to take on more strategic roles.
Quantum Computing
Positioning itself as the next big tech disruptor, Quantum Computing is on track to define India's technological future. This emerging field leverages quantum mechanics, promising solutions to problems deemed insurmountable by conventional computing. Its applications are vast, from reshaping chemical engineering to revamping financial portfolio management.
Precedence Research states that the global quantum computing market is on track to reach $125 billion by 2030. India is not lagging, with the government playing a proactive role. With massive investments in research and developments related to quantum materials and applications, India stands ready to embrace the quantum revolution, echoing sentiments expressed in the recent NASSCOM-Avasant study.
Final Thoughts
As Chandrayaan-3 marks a glittering chapter in India's space odyssey, it symbolises India's technological prowess and commitment to exploring the great unknowns. But this achievement is just one facet of a rapidly evolving tech landscape that promises to redefine Indian society and its position on the global stage.
Artificial Intelligence, Web 3.0, 5G, Extended Reality, Robotic Process Automation, and the nascent promises of Quantum Computing are a testament to India's spirit of innovation, adaptation, and forward-thinking. While the gaze of many remains skyward, the nation's real journey lies in using these transformative technologies to sculpt a future where digital empowerment and innovation are not mere buzzwords.
As India stands at this pivotal juncture, one thing remains certain: Chandrayaan-3, though a monumental milestone, is a stepping stone in the nation's expansive journey of discovery, innovation, and progress. The universe might be vast and enigmatic, but so is the potential and ambition of India as it charts its course, both into the cosmos and into the dynamic terrains of technology.
