India to be key player in AI and biotechnology-led industrial revolution: MoS
New Delhi, Aug 9
India is poised to become a major force in the next industrial revolution, which will be driven by artificial intelligence and biotechnology, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.
He said the country has positioned itself among the world's early movers in emerging technologies through initiatives such as the BioE3 policy, National Quantum Mission and IndiaAI Mission.
Addressing a media conclave attended by technology developers, industry leaders and other stakeholders, Singh said India has emerged as one of the first countries to formulate a dedicated biotechnology policy, BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Employment and Environment), while also launching initiatives such as the National Quantum Mission and the IndiaAI Mission.
"India will be an essential player in the next industrial revolution which will be biotechnology and AI driven, unlike the last industrial revolution which was IT driven and India was late in becoming a part of that," Singh stated.
"India is now among the first few countries in the world to have a dedicated Biotechnology policy, that is BiOE3," the minister said.
The minister said the global economy is gradually shifting towards frontier sectors including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, recycling and the circular economy, and India is positioning itself at the forefront of this transition.
Unlike the previous industrial revolution that was largely driven by information technology, where India joined the global transformation at a later stage, the country is now among the early participants shaping the next wave of innovation, he said.
Highlighting India's rapid technological progress, Singh said the country's space economy, which was once negligible in size, has grown to around $9 billion and is projected to reach $40-45 billion over the next eight to nine years.
He attributed this growth to policy reforms, particularly the decision to open the space sector to private participation in 2020.
"India's technological journey has undergone a significant transformation, with the country now operating against global benchmarks in several areas," Singh mentioned.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see India thinking ahead! The space economy growth from almost nothing to $9 billion is impressive. But I wish the government would also address the brain drain - many brilliant Indian scientists still go abroad for better opportunities. Let's create an ecosystem that makes them stay.
As someone who works in biotech in the US, I see India's potential. The raw talent is definitely there. The key will be in how these policies translate to on-ground infrastructure and industry-academia partnerships. Excited to see what comes next!
Sounds good on paper, but I'm a bit skeptical. We heard similar things during the IT boom, but we became a services hub rather than a product innovator. Will AI and biotech be different? Need more investments in R&D and less regulatory hurdles for startups.
The circular economy angle is what excites me! With our tradition of reuse and repair, India can set a global example. But we need to ensure these new industries create jobs for our youth, not just in metros but also in smaller cities. 🙏
The space sector opening to private players is a game-changer! But let's not forget that basic infrastructure in our colleges and labs still needs a lot of work. Also, ethical considerations around AI and biotech need equal attention. Any thoughts on regulation?
L We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.