Modern Technology has now become an indispensible part of our lives

 Modern Technology has now become an indispensible part of our lives. They impact every strand of human existence. Their invention has made life easier and comfortable. However, there has always been an ongoing debate about their desiarbility, this debate has further gained clamour in the context of 4th Indusrial revolution forcing us to introspect if machines present an opportunity or threat to humanity? And if machines indeed a double-edged sword, then how do we deal with them?

This essay therefore, attempts to understand the evolution of machines, the role played by machines in our present and future - both desirable and undesirable, and our future strategy.

EVOLUTION OF MACHINES-

It is an incontestable truth thatthe Industrial revolution in 19th century changed the course of human existence. The development of Steam engine, powerlooms, not only revolutionised our economic system but also our social and political system. The factory system introduced new forces of production and broke away from the regressive and rigid feudal system. It led to greater production, cheaper products, increased number of jobs and a better standard of living ushering in the era of modernity and rationality.

However, it was this very emphasis on production and machine that has sown the seeds of colonisation and imperialism that resulted in the economic subjugetion of many African and Asian nations for the need of new markets.

Infact, it was this greed for economic supermacy that led to the 2 most ghastty wars (World War 1 and World War 2) being fought in the history of human existence. It was the supermacy abled machines, ammunition tanks, guns and the nuclear weapons that incresed the intensity of these wars and led to less of many lives.

Material advancements in the form of machines and technologies, although started as the biggest boon to human kind eventually turned into a bane due to its misuse.

Further, as we move towards a much more 'mechanised world' today it becomes important for us to critically evaluate its disaribality and ask ourselves the most commom question-

Are machines going to replace humans?

MACHINES- AN OPPORTUNITY

Machines have impacted both micro and macro aspects of our life. From easing the manufacturing of this paper and the pen which is writing on this paper to the dishwasher and vacuum cleaner at our home to the calculator, we use to simplify our calculations. Machines have now become an all-pervasive phenomeno. They have contributed towards making our lives easier, reducing our workload and giving us ample leisure time to pursue our creative interests. This indespansibility is only going to increase in the near future, as machines take over all the mundane, non-economic activities of our daily life.

Infact, the impact of machines has been the most profound in the economic sector. India's green revolution was based on machanisation of Indian agriculture. The lush green fields and the highly productive of agricultural sector in the west is a result of the huge tractors and high degree of mechanisation deployed on these fields. Machines, therefore, provide a new dawn to Indian agriculture as it moves from sickle to modern tools of ploughing. Mechanised trawlers have increased fish production and profitability.

The sector that is most synonymous with machines is perhaps the manufacturing sector. Right from Henry Fordi's Assembly line production, the factory system has come a long way. It has improved efficiency, reduced operational errors and improved profitibality. What looked impossible in the past looks possible now. Robots are used to do hazardous and mundane activities. If robots were to be deployed in thermal industries, humans can be saved from pulmonary disorders, if there are deployed in nuclear plants in future, humans can be saved from the harmful efects of radioactive elements.

Machine and robot therefore provide ample opportunity in the future to reduce risks and increase efficiency.

However, it is not the traditional machines that are of interest to the world today, but intelligent machines that are going to define the trajectory of human progres. What started as a computer has now expanded to the realm of artificial intelligence in the last decade. Today, the buzz of world is 'Interenet of things', '4th Industrial Revolution' and 'automation' . Right from self-driven care to artificial intelligence being used in governance, industries and also medical sciences, there is not a single sphere of life that is going to remain isolated from this revolution. As said by Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla Motors, SpaceX- Artificial Intelligence is the reality of the world today and offers immense opportunities for the progress of human kind.

The governement of India has also realised the potential of this revolution through its programmes like Digital India, Smart City which focuses on technology as a crucial anchor of administartion. 

Besides, world over there is increasing emphasises on automation, in both traditional and upcoming sectors through cutting edge technology.

MACHINES- A THREAT TO HUMANITY

All the advantages and positives of machines has not stopped the critics from highlighting the potential adverse concequences that are bound to arise.

There are increasing concerns of man becoming subserviant to machines and the increasing degree of his dependence on machines. Phones have now become a necessity for our survival at the cost of our individual independence. 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'Interenet of Things' further aims at integrating us to the digital world posing threats of cyber security and lack of privacy.

Further, world over, the question "IF machines are going to replace men" has perplexed policy makers who believe automation is going to lead to loss of jobs and increase inequality. This becomes all the more perinent for a developing country like India, with growing levels of unemployment and a large employable gorce. If we don't use our demographic dividend to the best of their ablity, it might turn into a demographic disaster posing threat to social life.

The growing aggression and alienation is already seen the world over in the form of growing protectionsim, anti-globalisation, Xenopholic tendencies to protect the socio-economic rights of their citizens.

As the world moves towards a 'mechanised world', the north-south divide the world over is going to increase. Since developed countries have the financial and legislational means to use technology to their best use. While the developing countries have a stark digital divide, low digital literact and high poverty levels. Rise of machines therefore, possess threats to the stability of world order in the future.

Since most of the machines run on electricity, rise of machines shall also hamper sustainability levels and increase carbon foot print. World's growing power needs and its concomitant responsibility towards climate change must be recognised.

WAY FORWARDS-

Machines and their rise in the future is a reality we must accept. Therefore efforts must be made at the local, state, national and international level to reduce the possible negative fallouts. An important suggestion made in this reagard against loss of jobs is the universal basic income. This is an idea being debated across the world and has been emphasised by the Economic Survey. (2016-17)

While rise of machines is a gradual process, the government of India has started making efforts towards providing employement oppotunities through Make In India, Skill India, Strat Up India and National Manufacturing Policy aims at expanding the manufacturing secor before the wave of automation takes over the world in its entirety.

Further, the gloabl level, efforts should be made to ensure parity between the developing and developed countries thorug technology and financial transfer.

We are at the cusp of a new form of 4th Industrial revolution, and hence it becomes important for us to use it as an opportunity and reduce the possible threats that it has to humanity.