Evolution is steered by steady changes, which appear infinitesimal in real-time. The changes are more prominent in human civilization now, than ever before and further catalyzed by scientific intervention. For example, the mobile phone with the internet, besides being an encyclopedia in hand, has changed the perspective of a man like never before, and it is in the process of redefining social makeup and human relations. Earlier inventions like the wheel and engine impacted human civilizations at rates much slower, and expectedly any new revolution will be too quick to create an impact.
Now that we are witnessing another revolution of artificial intelligence (AI), which is not only of the potential to replace humans in the workplace but is an alternative to human intelligence as well. Understandably, AI has the potential not only to influence human civilization but is capable enough of wiping humans from the face of the planet. Though man is resilient and apt, AI is a potential threat and it can be to humans what iridium was for dinosaurs.
The inventions like phones with internet and AI have rendered our already inapt education system irrelevant. Social media, privatization, and now start-up culture are shrinking the space and relevance of highly educated youth, whose jobs are mainly restricted to office spaces, which is now challenged by AI. Though professional courses like medical sciences and engineering are still an attraction for middle-class societies, the charisma of the education system is fading. It sounds alarming! Of course, these challenges are more serious in developing and overpopulated countries like India. New Education Policy 2020, which comes with its pros and cons, is not an antidote for coming times, but it is an antecedent remedy.
Understanding the narration so far is disappointing; we need to be optimistic. What is the way forward? Is a million-dollar question. We can’t revert and looking forward, the common belief is that AI will be a tool to aid and simplify processes. Alexa, ChatGPT and now DeepSeek through their persistent use over a few generations may render humans unintelligent. Taming AI without compromising our intelligence is one of the most feasible answers. This brings us to the paradox! Education more particularly science and technology is now more relevant than it was ever.
The relevance of science in a general perspective is a much more extensive discourse, possibly for another time. The recent COVID-19 infection was a unique challenge, unknown to AI and it was the human intelligence and scientific understanding that emerged as a savior. There will be even more serious situations ahead if human intelligence depletes, AI may not enact, explaining one way of possible human extinction. Beyond the Jobs science is essential for our existence; hence nations must invest in R&D sectors. India spends just around 0.6% of its GDP on R&D while China spends ~2.0%, an important reason behind China emergence as a potential superpower nation.
Similarly, Israel has been consistent with ~4.0% expenditure in R&D. An associated but more serious situation before us as a nation is that basic science is getting unpopular at the school level due to poor funding and there are few career opportunities for science graduates. The start-up, industry sector can thrive if investment in the R&D sector is augmented along with suitable policies.
Science is also evolving faster than ever, at one end the quest for a parallel universe, black holes, and time travel is underway in the tunnels of the Large Hydron Collider at CERN-Europe, and at the other end science is helping us to navigate the challenges in energy, health and environment. Science is more realistic now and instead of curiosity driven by academic interests, it is more engaging and involved in the discovery of smart materials like OLEDs, sensors, alternative fuels, efficient drugs, and much more.
Curriculum in our schools, colleges, and even universities lags to highlight this relevance making the subject less attractive and devoid of opportunities for school children. Though NEP-2020 partially addresses the aspect, there is more focus on creating a skilled generation rather than scientists, philosophers, and intellectuals and the courses like robotics, machine learning, functional materials, and data sciences are still not penetrating to the school and college level. As a consequence, NEP-2020 is making basic sciences less popular among kids, which is a concern.
Education is also important to commute with tools based on AI, for example, in advanced restaurants and groceries the orders go through smart screens and product details are in QR codes, digital navigation at airports is on the rise, and online jobs and businesses are evolving demanding skilled learning, and together all these have shifted the job market. Literacy rate with apprehension of reading and writing is no more sufficient and careful navigation through the smart technologies which come with very less cope of error is needed. Cybercrime, hacking and technical hiccups can be fatal; recently cases of digital arrest have come forward and are on the rise. Without suitable education, security, privacy, and survival of anyone in coming times can be compromised.
There is more to the discussion, and the need of the hour is a serious overhaul of our education system and perceptional changes in parents. Science and technology education needs to be promoted through Government policies and funding. School education should be de-stressed and we need to move beyond preparing another generation of Government job seekers. There is a remarkable shift in the job market from shrinking and unattractive Govt jobs to new sectors in pharma, materials, electronics, data sciences, machines, and digital applications. More importantly, we need to create scientists and researchers who are capable censoring AI and AI based tools.
(Author is faculty at Department of chemistry, University of Kashmir and member of Indian National Young Academy of Sciences. Email: [email protected] .twitter:@aijazpapers)
