14 December 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Poised for a quantum leap   

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 15)

Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology

Context

The article emphasizes the urgent need for India to invest in and prioritize frontier technologies like quantum computing and AI to secure its position in the global technological race.

The Shift from Economic Dominance to Technological Supremacy

• In 1992, James Carville famously underscored the importance of the economy during Bill Clinton’s campaign with the phrase, “The economy, stupid.”
• However, the narrative of global dominance has shifted in the 21st century to technology.
• The real race now is not centered around GDP figures—often debated based on metrics like real terms or purchasing power parity—but around technological prowess.
• Frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, genetic engineering, and clean-tech are now the decisive factors in determining a nation’s global standing.

The Technological Battleground: Quantum Computing as a Case Study

• Quantum computing exemplifies the frontier technology era.
• Google’s recent quantum chip, Willow, can solve problems in minutes that would take the fastest supercomputers septillions of years.
• Innovations like these demonstrate the unprecedented pace and scale of technological advancements.
• While the US and China dominate this space, India must recognize the urgency to compete.
• Although India has made strides in supercomputing, such as the development of Param 8000 and AIRAWAT, it lags significantly in the race for quantum supremacy.
• With quantum computing poised to underpin advancements in AI, space exploration, and genome research, India’s delayed entry risks missing out on critical opportunities.

India’s Current Standing and Challenges in Frontier Technologies

• India’s progress in quantum technologies is modest compared to global leaders. Initiatives like the National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications, launched in 2020 with a $1 billion budget, are commendable but insufficient.
• India’s research output, as measured by the citation of its quantum research papers, ranks 20th globally, while its patent contributions stand at ninth.
• In contrast, China and the US dominate with a combined 85% share of global quantum patents.
• This disparity highlights the need for greater investment, collaboration, and focus on research and development.

Historical Lessons: The Role of Visionary Leadership

• Global history underscores the importance of visionary leadership in driving transformative growth.
• The US’s New Deal under Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Soviet Union’s industrialization under Stalin, and Deng Xiaoping’s reforms in China all showcase the impact of strategic focus and resource allocation.
• Similarly, India must leverage its current decade of strong leadership to initiate a comparable technological revolution. Investments should prioritize AI infrastructure and frontier tech, alongside fostering collaborations between public and private sectors.

The Opportunity and the Road Ahead

• India’s rich intellectual capital, as evidenced by achievements like Gukesh Dommaraju’s chess triumph, demonstrates the nation’s potential to excel in the tech race.
• However, harnessing this potential requires recognizing the transformative nature of AI and quantum technologies.
• The digital revolution of the 1980s and 1990s created a foundation for India’s IT industry to thrive.
• Today, a similar leap is possible if the government and private enterprises commit to building the necessary technological infrastructure and investing in research capabilities.
• This is India’s window to assert its place in the global pecking order.

Conclusion: Seizing the Frontier Tech Opportunity

• India stands at a critical juncture where embracing frontier technologies could define its future trajectory.
• While progress has been made, the scale and speed of global advancements necessitate a more aggressive approach.
• By prioritizing AI infrastructure, fostering innovation, and nurturing public-private partnerships, India can leapfrog into the league of global tech leaders. The time to act is now before the window of opportunity closes.

What are Frontier Technologies and their applications?

Frontier technologies are defined as potentially disruptive technologies that can address large-scale challenges or opportunities. Frontier technology is the next phase in the evolution of modern technology. It is the intersection where radical forward-thinking and real-world implementation meet. For example AI, robotics, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things, etc. Frontier technologies have unlocked new routes to prosperity through agriculture, manufacturing, trade in services, the linking of informal and formal sectors, and domestic interconnectivity. They have enormous potential to improve government administration and the delivery of public services. They can help anticipate and respond to the effects of climate hazards and air pollution through the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies to address environmental impacts. In the Republic of Korea, the smart city of Songdo is built around the Internet of Things to reduce traffic pollution, save energy and water, and create a cleaner environment. It will be critical that these technologies work for society and the environment as well as the economy if the world is to achieve the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Practice Question: Frontier technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and clean-tech are reshaping global power dynamics. Discuss India’s current standing in these technologies and suggest measures to enhance its competitiveness in the global tech race. (250 words/15 m)