'Balance technology with humanity'

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, president Prof Subra Suresh said there is a need to maximise the benefits of technology while minimising its potential downsides by carefully balancing technology with humanity, both at the individual level and societal level.

Delivering the 36th annual convocation address of the Mangalore University on Monday, he said, "The interactions of human beings with technology will determine whether the fourth industrial revolution will lead to net positive or net negative consequences for all of us."

The professor said that India, as a rapidly developing major economy and as the largest democracy – with a rich talent pool, diverse population and deep cultural heritage – has the potential to leapfrog technologies and to employ the latest tools of Industry 4.0 for the benefit of its population. "We are in the very early stages of Industry 4.0, which is a convergence of physical, digital and biological words," he said.

"Disciplines that have catalysed Industry 4.0 include Artificial intelligence, machine learning, real-time, massive and deep data analytics, robotics, internet of things, the block chain, advanced additive manufacturing, autonomy and mobility. Unlike previous industrial revolutions, Industry 4.0 is characterised by unprecedented pace of change in technology, the rate of advance of technology and real-time, global connectivity through mobile devices giving instant access to data and information," the professor explained.

"Like the previous three industrial revolutions, Industry 4.0 is expected by many policy makers to result in the elimination of many jobs that could be readily automated. The concern now is that with the rapid pace of change, if the rate of job destruction from technology moves much faster than the rate of potential job creation, this could markedly increase the disparity between the haves and have nots and that there could be significant societal and political unrest," he felt.

Prof Suresh called upon the graduates to engage and lead in whatever you do. "Do not be silent observers. Be active participants and agents for positive change," he said.

Stating that the purpose of university education is not merely to acquire the credits, the diploma and some specialised skills to get a job, to make a living, Prof Suresh said it prepares the students for a lifetime of enquiry. It inspires and challenges them as they prepare for their courses, and instils in them a passion for life-long learning, he added.

The Mangalore University conferred an honorary doctorate on Prof Suresh on the occasion. Mangalore University vice chancellor Prof K Byrappa was present.

During the convocation, the Mangalore University awarded 97 Doctor of Philosophy degrees (17 Arts, 74 Science, 4 Commerce and 2 Education). As many as 45 gold medals, 75 cash prizes were given, in addition to 242 ranks.