This Indian-origin researcher discovers technology that can charge a dead laptop or phone

Charging an electronic appliance usually takes at least 30 minutes. But science and technology have witnessed such a tremendous shift that it's possible for you to charge your dead laptop or mobile phone in a minute and an electronic car in 10 minutes. Yes, new technology is here! An Indian-origin researcher has revealed a novel technology that can do the same in just a few moments.

Ankur Gupta, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering at the US-based University of Colorado Boulder, and his team of researchers discovered the technology, which has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.


The researchers have uncovered the movement of ions—small charged particles—within a complex structure of microscopic pores. Gupta said this breakthrough could expedite the development of more efficient storage devices such as supercapacitors.

A supercapacitor is an energy storage device that relies on ion collection in its pores, Gupta said, adding that this invention is crucial for EVs, electronic devices and power grids. It is pertinent to mention that supercapacitors can charge faster and have longer life spans than batteries.

A supercapacitor is an energy storage device that relies on ion collection in its pores, Gupta said, adding that this invention is crucial for EVs, electronic devices and power grids. It is pertinent to mention that supercapacitors can charge faster and have longer life spans than batteries.

Regarding power grids, the assistant professor said fluctuating energy demands require efficient storage to minimize waste during low-demand periods and guarantee rapid delivery during high-demand times.

"Given the critical role of energy in the planet's future, I felt inspired to apply my chemical engineering knowledge to advancing energy storage devices," Gupta said. “It felt like the topic was somewhat underexplored and, as such, the perfect opportunity," Gupta said as quoted by the journal.

“The primary appeal of supercapacitors lies in their speed. So how can we make their charging and release of energy faster? By the more efficient movement of ions. That's the leap of the work. We found the missing link," he added.

The researchers also noted that this discovery enables the simulation and prediction of ion flow in a complex network of thousands of interconnected pores within minutes. They explained that, before this finding, ion movements were only described in the literature as occurring within a single straight pore.

Website link : popularengineer.org

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Heatwave Update: 10 hottest cities in India

In its latest weather bulletin, the IMD indicated that heatwave conditions are also expected in parts of &K, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The India Meteorological Department has forecast a severe heatwave for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan over the next three days, offering no respite from the relentless heat.

“Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are very likely in most parts of West Rajasthan, many parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, East Rajasthan, few parts of Uttar Pradesh, isolated pockets of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and heatwave conditions,” the IMD added. In its latest weather bulletin, the IMD indicated that heatwave conditions are also expected in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh during the same three-day period. In Delhi, currently under a red alert, the weather office has predicted the maximum temperature on Tuesday to rise to 46 degree Celsius, with the minimum temperature at 27 degrees Celsius. 

On Monday, the Safdarjung observatory, regarded as the official benchmark for the city, recorded its second-highest maximum temperature of the season at 45.1 degrees Celsius, which is 4.7 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature was 29.2 degrees Celsius. Mungeshpur in Delhi was the hottest area in the city on Monday, with the maximum temperature recorded at 48.8 degrees Celsius, while Rajasthan's Phalodi was the warmest in the country at 49.4 degrees.

Here is a look at the hottest places in the country:

• Churu in Rajasthan with temperatures recorded at 50.5 degrees.
• Mungeshpur in Delhi with temperatures rising to 48.8 degrees.
• Niwari in Madhya Pradesh recording a maximum temperature of 48.7°C.
• Kandla in Gujarat recording a maximum temperature of 45.3°C.
• Bhatinda in Punjab recording a maximum temperature of 48.4°C
• Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh recording a maximum temperature of 47 degrees.
• Raipur in Chhattisgarh recording a max temperature of 45 degrees.
• Nagpur in Maharashtra recording a maximum temperature of 44 degrees.
• Una in Himachal Pradesh recording a maximum temperature of 44 degrees.
• Bhaderwah in J&K recording a maximum temperature of 32 degrees.

Rajasthan is expected to witness a significant drop of 3-5 degrees Celsius in temperatures by the end of May, a senior official of IMD's Rajasthan Meteorological Centre said on Tuesday. However, the regional meteorological centre also indicated that severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist in the state for the next 48 hours.

The temperatures in places like Phalodi, Barmer and Jaisalmer in West Rajasthan are continuously crossing the mark of 48 degrees Celsius, with no change expected until May 29.

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Cyclone Remal makes landfall with 135 kmph, uproots trees in Bengal; heavy rain may continue

 

Cyclone Remal’s landfall began at 8:30 pm on Sunday, affecting the coastal areas in West Bengal and Bangladesh near the southwest of Mongla.

Cyclone ‘Remal’ updates: After making landfall between the Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts on Sunday night, the severe cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ began moving northwards and is continuing to do so, gradually weakening on Monday, May 27, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).“The system would continue to move nearly northwards for some more time and then north-northeastwards and weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm by the morning of 27 May 2024,” the IMD said.

Cyclone ‘Remal’ updates: After making landfall between the Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts on Sunday night, the severe cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ began moving northwards and is continuing to do so, gradually weakening on Monday, May 27, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).“The system would continue to move nearly northwards for some more time and then north-northeastwards and weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm by the morning of 27 May 2024,” the IMD said.

Earlier on Sunday, before the landfall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting at his residence to assess the readiness for Cyclone ‘Remal’ in the North Bay of Bengal.

Cyclone Remal’s landfall commenced at 8.30 pm on Sunday, affecting the coastal areas between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh, near the southwest of Mongla.

The cyclone caused extensive damage and disruption in nearby regions, prompting the evacuation of nearly a million people over the past two days.


 The West Bengal government relocated around 110,000 people from coastal areas, including the Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to cyclone shelters. The NDRF has deployed 14 teams across nine districts, with additional teams on standby.

PM Modi was updated on the situation, with the National Crisis Management Committee maintaining regular contact with the West Bengal government. He directed that, in addition to the 12 NDRF teams already in West Bengal and one in Odisha, more teams should be on standby for rapid deployment. The Indian Coast Guard is also prepared for emergencies. The prime minister instructed that Ports, Railways, and Highways remain on high alert to prevent incidents. West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose held an emergency review meeting on Cyclone ‘Remal’.

On Sunday, amid Cyclone ‘Remal’ landfall, Tripura chief minister Manik Saha assured that the state and district administrations are fully prepared to handle the cyclone's impact. He urged the people of Tripura to exercise “utmost caution.” In response to the severe cyclonic storm, the Tripura government issued a red alert for four districts: South, Dhalai, Khowai, and West.
Heavy rainfall warning to West Bengal, parts of northeast

Heavy rainfall will persist over West Bengal's coastal districts and Gangetic West Bengal's eastern districts near Bangladesh until Monday, May 27. The weather agency's Sunday night bulletin indicated that the heaviest rainfall will occur from noon on May 26 to noon on May 27.Light to moderate rainfall is anticipated across most areas on Monday and Tuesday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated locations in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura.

Fishermen have been advised to stay outside the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea until Monday, May 27. Those already at sea were urged to return to shore.

Website Link : popularengineer.org

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C. Gordon Bell, Creator of a Personal Computer Prototype

 

It cost $18,000 when it was introduced in 1965, but it bridged the world between room-size mainframes and the modern desktop.C. Gordon Bell, a technology visionary whose computer designs for Digital Equipment Corporation fueled the emergence of the minicomputer industry in the 1960s, died on Friday at his home in Coronado, Calif. He was 89.

The cause was pneumonia, his family said in a statement.

Called the “Frank Lloyd Wright of computers” by Datamation magazine, Mr. Bell was the master architect in the effort to create smaller, affordable, interactive computers that could be clustered into a network. A virtuoso at computer architecture, he built the first time-sharing computer and championed efforts to build the Ethernet. He was among a handful of influential engineers whose designs formed the vital bridge between the room-size models of the mainframe era and the advent of the personal computer.

After stints at several other startup ventures, Mr. Bell became the head of the National Science Foundation’s computers and information science and engineering group, where he directed the effort to link the world’s supercomputers into a high-speed network that led directly to the development of the modern internet. He later joined Microsoft’s nascent research lab, where he remained for about 20 years before being named researcher emeritus.

In 1991, he was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

“His main contribution was his vision of the future,” said David Cutler, a senior technical fellow at the Microsoft Research Lab and a leading software engineer, who worked with Mr. Bell at both Digital and Microsoft. “He always had a vision of where computing was going to go. He helped make computing much more widespread and more personal.”

At a time when computer companies like IBM were selling multimillion-dollar mainframe computers, Digital Equipment Corporation, which was founded and run by Kenneth Olsen, aimed at introducing smaller, powerful machines that could be purchased for a fraction of that cost. Mr. Bell was hired from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus in 1960 as the company’s second computer engineer. He designed all its early entrants into what was then called the minicomputer market.

The PDP-8, a 12-bit computer introduced in 1965 with an $18,000 price tag, was considered the first successful minicomputer on the market. More important, Digital Equipment Corporation’s minicomputers were sold to scientists, engineers and other users, who interacted directly with the machines in an era when corporate computers were off limits to such users, housed in glass-walled data centers under the watchful eye of specialists.

“All the D.E.C. machines were interactive, and we believed in having people talk directly to computers,” Mr. Bell said in a 1985 interview with Computerworld, an industry publication. In this way, he presaged the coming personal computer revolution.

Under the often autocratic Mr. Olsen, the company was an engineering-oriented environment in which product lines drove the business, consensus emerged after loud and often caustic debate, and a matrixlike structure blurred the lines of management. This controlled chaos became a source of tremendous stress for Mr. Bell; he often butted heads with Mr. Olsen, who was known for keeping close tabs on the work of his engineers, much to Mr. Bell’s chagrin.

Undone by the tension, Mr. Bell took what became a six-year sabbatical to teach at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, but he returned to the company as vice president of engineering in 1972. Reinvigorated and brimming with new ideas, he oversaw the design of an entirely new computer architecture: The VAX 780, a fast, powerful and efficient minicomputer, was a huge success, fueling sales that by the early 1980s had made D.E.C. the world’s second-largest computer maker.

“Gordon Bell was a giant in the computer industry,” said Howard Anderson, founder of the Yankee Group, a technology industry research firm that tracked the market in that era. “I give him as much credit for D.E.C.’s success as Ken Olsen. He believed in the primacy of engineering talent, and he attracted some of the best engineers in the industry to D.E.C., which became a place of great ferment.”

At D.E.C., the tension between Mr. Olsen and Mr. Bell again became unbearable. Stressed by the pressure to keep turning out winners and by Mr. Olsen’s overbearing presence, Mr. Bell became quick to anger (he was known to throw erasers at people in meetings) and left his engineers angry and confused. In March 1983, on a ski trip to Snowmass, Colo., with his wife and several of the company’s top engineers, Mr. Bell suffered a massive heart attack in his ski chalet and might have died if not for the efforts of Bob Puffer, a company vice president, who revived him with CPR.

After months of recuperation, Mr. Bell returned to work but decided it was time to leave for good. Over the protests of several top company executives, he quit in the summer of 1983.

Chester Gordon Bell was born on Aug. 19, 1934, in Kirksville, Mo., to Chester Bell, an electrician who owned an appliance store, and Lola (Gordon) Bell, who taught grade school.

He developed a heart problem when he was 7 and spent much of the second grade at home, mostly in bed. He spent his confinement wiring circuits, running chemistry experiments and cutting out puzzles with a jigsaw. After he recovered, he spent countless hours in his father’s shop learning about electrical repair. By age 12, he was a professional electrician — installing the first home dishwashers, fixing motors and tearing apart mechanical gadgets to rebuild them.

Mr. Bell graduated from M.I.T. in 1957 with a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He then earned a Fulbright scholarship to the University of New South Wales in Australia, where he developed and taught the university’s first graduate course in computer design. While there, he met Gwen Druyor, another Fulbright scholar, whom he married in 1959 and with whom he would found the Digital Computer Museum (now the Computer History Museum) in Boston in 1979. They divorced in 2002.

Though he returned to M.I.T. and worked toward a Ph.D., Mr. Bell abandoned that effort to join Digital Equipment Corporation. He had no interest in research, believing that it was an engineer’s job to build things.

After he left the company, Mr. Bell was a founder of both Encore Computer and Ardent Computer. In 1986, he delved into the world of public policy when he joined the National Science Foundation and led the supercomputer networking effort that resulted in an early iteration of the internet called the National Research and Education Network. In 1987, he sponsored the ACM Gordon Bell Prize for work in parallel computing.

He eventually moved to California, where he became a Silicon Valley angel investor and, in 1991, an adviser to Microsoft, which was opening its first research lab in Redmond, Wash. Mr. Bell joined the Microsoft Research Silicon Valley Lab full time in 1995. There he worked on MyLifeBits, a database designed to capture all of his life’s information — articles, books, CDs, letters, emails, music, home movies and videos — in a cloud-based digital database.

Mr. Bell is survived by his second wife, Sheridan Sinclaire-Bell, whom he married in 2009; his son, Brigham, and his daughter, Laura Bell, both from his first marriage; his stepdaughter, Logan Forbes; his sister, Sharon Smith; and four grandchildren.

In the 1985 Computerworld interview, Mr. Bell explained his formula for repeated technology successes. “The trick in any technology,” he said, “is knowing when to get on the bandwagon, knowing when to push for change, and then knowing when it’s dead and time to get off.”

Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this obituary misstated the year Mr. Bell married Gwen Druyor and the year the two of them founded the Computer History Museum. They married in 1959, not 1979; and the museum (which was originally called the Digital Computer Museum) was founded in 1979, not 1996.

 

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India's electronics, pharma, engineering goods exports beat global trade slowdown during FY24


With WTO expecting global goods and merchandise trade to recover gradually during 2024, sectors like electronic goods, engineering goods, drugs & pharmaceuticals and iron ore, among others, which reported growth amid the downturn, are expected to drive exports during FY25\

.

According to commerce ministry data, the export of engineering goods, which had about a 25% share in the export basket, grew by about 2.14% annually in value terms during FY24.

New Delhi: Only a few Indian sectors—engineering goods, electronic goods, and drugs & pharmaceuticals products—have seen a rise in their annual export value during FY24, a year that saw high interest rates globally curb demand and geo-political conflicts increase energy prices.

Now, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) expecting global goods and merchandise trade to recover gradually, these sectors, plus iron ore, are expected to drive exports during FY25 too.

According to commerce ministry data, the export of engineering goods, which had about a 25% share in the export basket, grew by about 2.14% annually in value terms during FY24.

During the same period, the export of petroleum products and gems & jewellery, which have 18.6% and 7.6% share in the export basket, declined by 11.8% and 13.83%, respectively. These sectors have the second and third largest share in the export basket.

The export of organic and inorganic chemicals, constituting about 7% of the export basket, fell by 2.78% in value terms, during FY24.

Electronic goods and drugs & pharmaceuticals, together contributing about 14% share in India's export basket, saw an annual growth of 23.5% and 9.73%, respectively, during FY23.

During FY24, India's merchandise exports stood at $437.06 billion, down from $451.07 billion during the previous fiscal. Goods imports fell to $677.24 billion from $715.97 billion recorded during the same period.

India's trade performance in 2024 was influenced by global events: Houthi attacks on ships on the Red Sea led to higher freight and disrupted supply chains; expensive crude oil on account of the continuing Russia-Ukraine war; US-China trade tensions leading to more expensive value chains; and the EU's proposed Carbon Tax and Forest regulations, think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said in a report.

"Going forward these sectors like electronic goods, mobile assembling, drugs and pharmaceuticals are expected to continue to do well," said Biswajit Dhar, a professor at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University.

"However, what worries me is the threat of protectionism rising among the advanced economies. These economies are following an industrial policy, and are trying to strengthen their manufacturing base. Also, this form of protectionism doesn't only lead to higher tariffs but also different kinds of standards like labour standards, supply chain due diligence legislature, which can impact our exports going forward," Dhar added.

In its Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report released last month, the WTO said the volume of global merchandise trade will increase by 2.6% in 2024 and 3.3% in 2025 as economic pressures ease and incomes rise.

During 2023, global trade declined 1.2% amid geopolitical and economic turmoil, after registering a 3% growth in 2022, the WTO data showed.

In value terms, the decline in merchandise exports was more pronounced in 2023, declining 5% to $24.01 trillion, while services exports increased by 9% to $7.54 trillion during 2023, partially offsetting the decline in goods trade.

Meanwhile, Indian exports remained flat to top markets like North America (including the US), Europe, and West Asia North Africa (WANA) region, while falling to other regions like Asean, South Asia, North East Asia, and Africa during FY24, according to commerce ministry data.

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Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse: ‘Stop Blame Game,' Says BMC-Licensed Structural Engineer Ganesh Kamat


"The main reason revolves around the law of nature, the dust storm. It has got nothing to do with politicians, any party, corruption, or anything else. That’s just a blame game," says Ganesh Kamat, a BMC-licensed structural engineer.


Mumbai recently witnessed a dust storm that raised questions on the city’s readiness to face such an unlikely weather, especially with respect to its high rises and roadside ad displays. With the collapse of a 120 ft x 120 ft hoarding in Ghatkopar which highlighted the aspect of structural engineering and auditing, Swarna Srikanth spoke to Ganesh Kamat, a BMC-licensed structural engineer who has more than 50 years of experience in structural auditing of buildings, having worked in Mumbai and the USA.

What are your remarks on the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse?

The hoarding was huge, but even after collapsing from nearly 120 ft height it is intact. Structurally, the hoarding is fine. The six steel pillars and the foundation were also okay. But there was something wrong with the joint between the concrete pillar and steel pillar, probably with the anchor bolt or the anchor fastener.

The main reason revolves around the law of nature, the dust storm. It has got nothing to do with politicians, any party, corruption, or anything else. That’s just a blame game.

In Mumbai, we have a southwest direction of wind and structures which go beyond 40 storeys need to consider the wind flow. In big banners, there must be holes for the wind to pass through it, and reduce the wind pressure. This would lessen the chances of the hoarding’s collapse.
Read AlsoSBUT On Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project: 'Architectural Style Will Reflect Community, Its...


Is Mumbai ready for the monsoon?

Mumbai is not ultimately ready for the monsoon, but the trail to manage and keep it under control is on.

Can you tell us about structural audit and its importance?

In structural audit we go through the old constructions to study whether the structure is stable or not. If the building is stable for human habitation, there is no major problem and can be handled with basic repairs. The case where the structure is not stable, it either needs to be demolished. Most commonly these structures could have cracks which are 99.99 per cent formed due to oxidation and they can be repaired. During the audit, we look for any unusual cracks that can be a threat to the building by making it unstable. The audit is important to ensure the safety and lives of people.
Read Also#RemoveKillerHoardings: FPJ Campaign Against Illegal Billboards In City Amid Ghatkopar Tragedy That...


How can common people know whether their building is strong?

Mumbai has all kinds of buildings including wooden, load bearing and the widely seen RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) structures. As per the BMC regulation, after the structure turns 15 years old, it needs to be audited every five years, and every three years once the building gets 30 years old.

If the building starts vibrating, that clearly indicates there is something wrong with the structure. So, it must be audited. Also, a buyer and seller can get a flat audited before making a deal, but then just one flat can’t give a clear picture of whether the full building is stable or not.

A structural audit report can give people an overview about the condition of the building they reside in and whether or not there’s any cause of worry for them.


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Automation Will Shape the Future of Work in India:

Automation could reproduce informal and precarious work rather than transform existing trends.

A dystopia of job loss and surveillance or a utopia of transformation and progress: This conundrum sums up the intense debate around automation and its impact on the future of work. Optimistic narratives about progress from the or a  are juxtaposed by predictions of a bleak future, where robots and automated processes lead.

The reality is not so simple.

Automation involves a new relationship between workers and technology, new “spatial fixes,” whether in global production networks or remote working, as well as enabling new types of employment relations.

It is important to place global narratives on the future of work in labor-abundant economies such as India, where the effects of automation could pose a challenge for development.

India has long struggled with structural inequalities, poverty, a predominance of informal work and self-employment, and rising unemployment. It also has niche expertise in information technology.

Young graduates and mid-level professionals appear likely to benefit from the AI revolution. Tensions over inequality – aggravated by fears that technological innovations will undermine job opportunities and security – dominate.

An assessment of does not support a dramatic shift from existing employment practices or major changes. Rather, the adoption of emerging technologies is uneven and patchy. It may improve employment conditions for some workers but is not likely to benefit the majority without redistribution of income and wealth.

Manufacturing: Automation With ‘Contractualization’ and Self-employment

Manufacturing could be heavily impacted by automation, but its adoption needs to be balanced by the cost of upgrades and the cost of labor where labor is plentiful.

High-technology export-oriented automobile and telecommunication production are more likely to adopt advanced automation, partly because of the high number of routine tasks.

Labor-intensive industries such as textile, apparel, leather and footwear are less likely to adopt high technologies because of the need for high capital investments in what are predominantly small-scale firms in the informal sector, with easily available low-cost labor.

Automation in the manufacturing sector is driven by “contractualization” – where contract workers are hired in place of direct hire employees to weaken the bargaining power of regular (full time), unionized workers and keep wage demands in check – and labor replacement by firms. The share of contract workers in total employment while that of directly employed workers fell.

It is also common for apprentices and contract workers to full-time workers to do the same job on the same shop floor, and for supply chains to source extensively from the informal economy.

While new jobs may be created, increased “contractualization” is leading to worsening employment conditions. Contract workers can be easily dismissed, receive a much lower wage than permanent workers and have no access to social protection mechanisms.

The other employment trend likely to intensify is a shift from wage employment to self-employment. While new opportunities for entrepreneurship may be created, that for most, self-employment is not a choice but a necessity.

Over  of the workforce in the informal sector is classified as self-employed but operates at subsistence level with little access to capital or social security. Countering the myth that this shift to self-employment represents “entrepreneurialism,” the is of the “hidden dependency” of self-employment, and its gendered and caste- and community-based basis.

Workers are dependent on large firms or merchants, which leads to work intensification and a reliance on unpaid family labor. These self-employed are largely precarious, informal workers prone to exploitation.

A shift to “contractualization” and self-employment with increased automation may signify increasing informality and precarity, and worse employment conditions for many.

Services: Automation With Self-employment

The impact of emerging technologies is most visible in the Business process outsourcing (BPO) and IT industries, the financial sector and in customer services.

Back-end tasks are increasingly automated. However, this shift is unlikely to create widespread employment opportunities, as suggested by a significant in hiring and an increase in redundancies in the IT sector since 2016–2017.

One indicates that 640,000 low-skilled service jobs in the IT sector are at risk to automation, while only 160,000 mid- to high-skilled positions will be created in the IT and BPO service sectors.

IT sector workers will need to rapidly upskill, but fewer jobs will be created in the medium-long run. Informalization and “contractualization” through outsourcing and subcontracting are increasing, at the cost of formal employment relationships in the 

The platform economy promises new economic opportunities for service workers, especially women and migrant workers, by enabling new forms of micro entrepreneurship and freelance work.

It can improve employment conditions in terms of higher income, better working conditions, flexible work hours or access to banking. Platforms also promise a sense of community that can be mobilized for collective bargaining.

However, leveraging these opportunities requires workers to have technical skills, when a majority have limited opportunity to upskill. This also highlights the disconnect between current education programmes and the skills employers need.

Often, surveillance and control belie the rhetoric of freedom, flexibility and autonomy.  are unregulated, profit-seeking, data-generating infrastructures that rely on opaque labor supply chains and the use of AI to control workers by directing, recommending and evaluating them and recording, rating and disciplining them through reward and replacement.

Like manufacturing, participation in gig-work is driven by the unavailability of alternative secure employment. Most people work multiple jobs for multiple employers on a piece-rate basis and lack access to formal social protection.

Automation appears to be creating a flexible and controlled “digital labor” base, reproducing informality and precarious working conditions rather than positively transforming work.

Agriculture: Limited Automation and Persistent Poverty

Agriculture remains the largest source of employment in India with a high automation potential. Most agricultural tasks can be classified as manual, such as planting crops, applying pesticides and fertilizers, and harvesting. AI technology and data analytics have the potential to improve farm productivity, highlighted by the many agri-tech start-ups in India.

However, the underlying dynamics of agriculture and their pervasive and persistent role in  pose a challenge.
Agriculture has structural inequalities, widespread poverty, subsistence farming, low-skill levels and low productivity.

Land ownership is concentrated amongst a few, with limited capital investment, while 75 percent of rural workers work in the informal sector, and 85 percent have no employment contract, health and social security, some being subject to .”

This extreme inequality combined with the decreasing size of landholdings, low growth and low capital investment means any widespread adoption of advanced farm automation and digital technologies appear unrealistic. More likely is the adoption of micro technologies and incremental mechanization.

Growing labor surplus in agriculture continues to fuel the informal economy, where workers cannot break the vicious cycle of low wages and low skills. The absence of employment creation and increasing informalization of formal manufacturing and service-sector jobs (in the platform economy and gig-work) are likely to aggravate these challenges.

Automation and Inequality

Automation is likely to bypass those sectors which employ most low-skilled workers. The societal implications of this are far-reaching.

The low cost of labor in the informal economy reduces the likelihood of technological adoption. High poverty levels combined with low levels of education among semi-urban and rural men and women and marginalized social groups will limit their access to any gains from technological development. This will restrict economic opportunities.

Women and marginalized groups are less likely to have the digital skills and are more likely to occupy the jobs most vulnerable to the effects of automation. Self-employment is likely to increase, but not necessarily accompanied by an improvement in employment conditions. New technologies could further reinforce the vast urban–rural divide.

Automation could reproduce informal and precarious work rather than transform existing trends.

A fair and equal future of work is possible through the adoption of new technologies – from the growth of the platform economy to remote learning opportunities.

Their effectiveness will depend on how well they are integrated with broader policy interventions which address the deep-rooted inequalities and enduring employment and skilling challenges in India’s world of work.

For example, skills have been identified as key in the national strategy of automation. Yet, India does not have a history of success in up/skilling with low investment in training structures and firms’ in training and reliance on informal skilling. There is a significant digital gender divide that adversely impacts skilling initiatives.

Policies that facilitate the capacity of women as well as other socially disadvantaged groups to leverage new technologies will help towards an equitable future of work.

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The Role of Technology in Driving Progress and Development

In this era of 2023, it's hard to imagine life without technology. Whether we want to make a quick call from smartphones or update an event status on social media, we couldn't have done it without the high technology we are blessed with today. It has become an integral part of our daily routine. But did you know that technology has also revolutionized various industries? That's right! Due to the power of technology, industries have been transformed in ways that were once unimaginable. From healthcare to finance, and agriculture education, technology has transformed the way we work and live, bringing convenience, efficiency, and innovation to every aspect of our lives. So, let us explore the exciting ways that technology has helped shape some of the world's most significant industries.

Advancements in Healthcare Technology

There are uncountable instances where technology has brilliantly transformed the healthcare system. Medical technologies such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs have revolutionized the way we diagnose and treat diseases. It helps doctors to see inside the human body without the need for invasive procedures, making diagnosis quicker and less painful. Also, the development of medical robots and telemedicine has made healthcare more accessible, especially in remote areas where healthcare facilities are limited. Now patients can get medical consultations and treatment from the comfort of their own homes, reducing the need for travel and wait times.

Electronic health records (EHRs) have enabled doctors to access patient records quickly, allowing for more accurate diagnoses and better patient care. EHRs also facilitate communication between healthcare providers, enabling them to work together to provide the best possible care for their patients.

Online Learning and Education Technology

Online resources, such as e-books, podcasts, and video lectures, have made education easily available to students. Due to the development of online learning platforms and virtual classrooms, they can learn from anywhere in the world. People living in remote areas who rarely get opportunities greatly benefit from this.

The all-time availability and convenience let students pause, rewind, and repeat lessons as often as possible until they are sure about the concept. The personalized learning experience has improved learning outcomes and student engagement to a massive extent. Also, the use of technology in classrooms, such as interactive whiteboards and educational software, has made learning more engaging and interactive for students.

Wearable Technology and Communication

Wearable technology is a category of electronic devices that are designed to be worn on the body, either as an accessory or as a part of clothing. These devices often include sensors and other advanced technology that can monitor and track various aspects of the wearer's health and fitness, as well as provide information or assistance with daily tasks. It can be in the form of smartwatches that can make calls and send texts to fitness trackers that can monitor heart rate and calorie burn.

Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, have made it easier for people to connect with each other, share information, and form communities. Because of this, now it's easier for businesses to reach their target customers. Also, one can connect with like-minded people with much ease now, as many platforms have community-driven features. The development of video conferencing technologies, such as Zoom and Skype, has made it easier for people to communicate with each other, regardless of their location. This has enabled businesses to conduct meetings with remote employees and for families to stay in touch with loved ones who live far away.

Technology and Sustainable Energy

Current and advanced technology has the potential to significantly reduce our environmental impact by enabling the development of renewable energy sources and reducing waste and emissions. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower can replace traditional energy sources that generate harmful emissions, contributing to climate change. The adoption of renewable energy technologies has increased in recent years, with countries setting targets to reduce carbon emissions and shifting towards renewable energy sources. More energy-efficient buildings, transportation systems, and manufacturing processes, have also been developed.

The Impact of Technology on the Global Economy

Technology has massively helped, particularly in creating new industries and employment opportunities. The development of the latest tech-rich products and services, such as smartphones, social media platforms, and e-commerce platforms, has transformed how we live and work. Many job or study opportunities can be found on these platforms. Also, these are great sources to market and expand the business.

Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities

With the help of technology, various services are more accessible to people with disabilities, greatly improving their quality of life and helping them participate more in society. For example, text-to-speech software and screen readers enable visually impaired individuals to access written content, while hearing aids and cochlear implants improve the hearing of those with hearing impairments. Assistive technologies, such as motorised wheelchairs and prosthetics, enable individuals with physical disabilities to move around and perform daily tasks with greater ease.

Personalized Marketing and Targeted Advertising

The development of personalized products and services has progressed in efficiency and customer satisfaction. Consider how personalized medicine uses genetic information to develop individualized treatment plans based on a patient's needs and characteristics. Targeted advertising uses data analysis to deliver personalized ads to consumers, based on their preferences and interests. In both cases, technology has enabled a more personalized approach, which can improve outcomes and enhance the user experience.

The Importance of Big Data in Decision Making

Big data and analytics have revolutionized how organizations make decisions, leading to improved outcomes and increased efficiency. Now healthcare providers can use data analytics to predict patient outcomes and identify potential health risks, enabling them to provide more personalized and effective care. Businesses can use data analytics to identify trends and patterns in customer behavior, helping them develop more effective marketing strategies and improve customer satisfaction. Furthermore, data analysis has enabled the development of new technologies, such as self-driving cars and predictive maintenance systems, which rely on complex algorithms and machine learning.

Disruptive Technology and Innovation

Many significant innovations in entertainment, gaming, transportation, and medicine have occurred lately. Virtual and augmented reality technologies have enabled new entertainment and immersive experiences. At the same time, the development of electric cars and hyperloop transportation systems has the potential to revolutionize how we travel. In medicine, technology has helped in areas such as genomics and precision medicine, leading to more personalized treatment options and improved health outcomes. It has also helped develop new materials and manufacturing processes, which can improve efficiency and reduce waste.

The Future of Technology and Progress

Technology has increased efficiency in various fields, such as manufacturing and agriculture. The use of automation, robotics, and machine learning has significantly improved productivity, reduced costs, and increased output.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more noteworthy improvements in various areas of human life. For example, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) can transform healthcare, enabling doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and create personalized treatment plans for their patients. Or the development of autonomous vehicles can reduce traffic accidents and improve transportation efficiency.

However, it is essential to recognize technology's potential risks and challenges, such as privacy concerns and job displacement. It is crucial to work to mitigate these risks as we continue to harness the power of technology to drive progress and development.

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Ethics of Artificial Intelligence:

With its unique mandate, UNESCO has led the international effort to ensure that science and technology develop with strong ethical guardrails for decades.

Be it on genetic research, climate change, or scientific research, UNESCO has delivered global standards to maximize the benefits of the scientific discoveries, while minimizing the downside risks, ensuring they contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world. It has also identified frontier challenges in areas such as the ethics of neurotechnology, on climate engineering, and the internet of things.

The rapid rise in artificial intelligence (AI) has created many opportunities globally, from facilitating healthcare diagnoses to enabling human connections through social media and creating labour efficiencies through automated tasks.

However, these rapid changes also raise profound ethical concerns. These arise from the potential AI systems have to embed biases, contribute to climate degradation, threaten human rights and more. Such risks associated with AI have already begun to compound on top of existing inequalities, resulting in further harm to already marginalised groups.

In no other field is the ethical compass more relevant than in artificial intelligence. These general-purpose technologies are re-shaping the way we work, interact, and live. The world is set to change at a pace not seen since the deployment of the printing press six centuries ago. AI technology brings major benefits in many areas, but without the ethical guardrails, it risks reproducing real world biases and discrimination, fueling divisions and threatening fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Gabriela RamosAssistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO

Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

UNESCO produced the first-ever global standard on AI ethics – the ‘Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence’ in November 2021. This framework was adopted by all 193 Member States.

The protection of human rights and dignity is the cornerstone of the Recommendation, based on the advancement of fundamental principles such as transparency and fairness, always remembering the importance of human oversight of AI systems.

However, what makes the Recommendation exceptionally applicable are its extensive Policy Action Areas, which allow policymakers to translate the core values and principles into action with respect to data governance, environment and ecosystems, gender, education and research, and health and social wellbeing, among many other spheres.

Four core values

Central to the Recommendation are four core values which lay the foundations for AI systems that work for the good of humanity, individuals, societies and the environment:

Human rights and human dignity

Ten core principles lay out a human-rights centred approach to the Ethics of AI.

1. Proportionality and Do No Harm

The use of AI systems must not go beyond what is necessary to achieve a legitimate aim. Risk assessment should be used to prevent harms which may result from such uses.

2. Safety and Security

Unwanted harms (safety risks) as well as vulnerabilities to attack (security risks) should be avoided and addressed by AI actors.

3. Right to Privacy and Data Protection

Privacy must be protected and promoted throughout the AI lifecycle. Adequate data protection frameworks should also be established.

4. Multi-stakeholder and Adaptive Governance & Collaboration

International law & national sovereignty must be respected in the use of data. Additionally, participation of diverse stakeholders is necessary for inclusive approaches to AI governance.

5. Responsibility and Accountability

AI systems should be auditable and traceable. There should be oversight, impact assessment, audit and due diligence mechanisms in place to avoid conflicts with human rights norms and threats to environmental wellbeing.

6. Transparency and Explainability

The ethical deployment of AI systems depends on their transparency & explainability (T&E). The level of T&E should be appropriate to the context, as there may be tensions between T&E and other principles such as privacy, safety and security.

7. Human Oversight and Determination

Member States should ensure that AI systems do not displace ultimate human responsibility and accountability.

8. Sustainability

AI technologies should be assessed against their impacts on ‘sustainability’, understood as a set of constantly evolving goals including those set out in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

9. Awareness & Literacy

Public understanding of AI and data should be promoted through open & accessible education, civic engagement, digital skills & AI ethics training, media & information literacy.

10. Fairness and Non-Discrimation

AI actors should promote social justice, fairness, and non-discrimination while taking an inclusive approach to ensure AI’s benefits are accessible to all.

Actionable policies

Key policy areas make clear arenas where Member States can make strides towards responsible developments in AI

While values and principles are crucial to establishing a basis for any ethical AI framework, recent movements in AI ethics have emphasised the need to move beyond high-level principles and toward practical strategies.

The Recommendation does just this by setting out eleven key areas for policy actions.

Implementing the Recommendation
There is still a long way to go to provide Member States with actionable resources that ensure the effective implementation of the Recommendation. For this reason, UNESCO has developed two practical methodologies:

Women4Ethical AI expert platform to advance gender equality

UNESCO's Women4Ethical AI is a new collaborative platform to support governments and companies’ efforts to ensure that women are represented equally in both the design and deployment of AI. The platform’s members will also contribute to the advancement of all the ethical provisions in the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.

The platform unites 17 leading female experts from academia, civil society, the private sector and regulatory bodies, from around the world. They will share research and contribute to a repository of good practices. The platform will drive progress on non-discriminatory algorithms and data sources, and incentivize girls, women and under-represented groups to participate in AI.

Business Council for Ethics of AI

The Business Council for Ethics of AI is a collaborative initiative between UNESCO and companies operating in Latin America that are involved in the development or use of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors.

The Council serves as a platform for companies to come together, exchange experiences, and promote ethical practices within the AI industry. By working closely with UNESCO, it aims to ensure that AI is developed and utilized in a manner that respects human rights and upholds ethical standards.

Currently co-chaired by Microsoft and Telefonica, the Council is committed to strengthening technical capacities in ethics and AI, designing and implementing the Ethical Impact Assessment tool mandated by the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, and contributing to the development of intelligent regional regulations. Through these efforts, it strives to create a competitive environment that benefits all stakeholders and promotes the responsible and ethical use of AI.

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