National Technology Day 2024 Live Updates: From Schools to Startups: Igniting Young Minds to Innovate

Jaideep Kewalrmani, COO & Head of Employability Business, TeamLease Edtech

Excelling in the EdTech industry one must be adept with 4 key technology stacks - Metaverse (a collection of 12 underlying technologies like AR and VR), Generative AI, Database Tools and Design Management Tools. A combination of these technologies will enable the right skill set to be successful in different EdTech career streams areas like - Academics, Student Counseling, Digital Marketing, Content Development, Assessments and Student Support.

Jonathan Sumner, Chief Strategy Officer, JetSetGo

The on-demand private aviation industry has benefited greatly from the application of digital technologies that create online marketplaces matching available aircraft with demand. This has made matching demand to supply much more efficient, as charter sellers and brokers can see and book available aircraft more efficiently, delivering a better service to customers and often achieving a better price. For operators this also means that higher utilization rates can be achieved on their aircraft, and more quickly identifying customers looking for an available aircraft. This benefit extends to the sale of empty legs – positioning flights that would otherwise fly empty and not generating revenue – as a match can be found with a customer looking to fly that route on that day. The use of mobile phone apps, such as JetSetGo’s JetSteals app, enables customers to quickly access these available flights and book it from the app to get the best deal. This is just one of the benefits of digitisation in the private jet sector, that is increasing value for customers whilst at the same time driving up utilization rates and better sales results for operators and brokers.

Sandiip Bhammer, Founder & Co-Managing Partner, Green Frontier Capital

Investing in climate-tech today means embracing a spectrum of advanced technologies, from high-efficiency solar panels and wind turbines to innovative energy storage and carbon capture solutions. The sector's growth, driven by developments in smart grids, electric vehicles, and precision agriculture, highlights the essential role of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling the intricate challenges of climate change.

Santhosh Reddy, CTO and Co-Founder, ShakeDeal

On this World Technology Day, we celebrate the constant influx of new technologies and harness the transformative potential of innovation to elevate the supply chain industry. With India's internet economy poised to surge sixfold to $1 trillion and B2B e-commerce ranking second among the fastest-growing segments, we anticipate a remarkable future for the supply chain sector. Technology not only empowers us but also equips us to address minute-scale challenges. Our commitment to progress fuels us to leverage digital solutions, promote sustainability, and boost efficiency throughout the supply chain ecosystem, embracing advanced solutions with enthusiasm.

Krishna Rangasayee, Founder and CEO, SiMa.ai

AI and machine learning are not just technologies; they are the architects of a new automated era, transforming everything from vehicles and robotics to healthcare and industrial automation. As the pace of innovation accelerates, so do the challenges it brings. India, with its rich reservoir of talent and innovative spirit, has made significant strides in advanced technology. Yet, we still face hurdles such as high power consumption, complex cooling mechanisms, and critical latency issues which are paramount in fields requiring rapid decision-making, like automotive, drones, and robotics.

This year's theme, 'From Schools to Startups: Igniting Young Minds to Innovate,' mirrors our mission at SiMa.ai. We address real-world problems with our state-of-the-art AI technologies. Our efforts have culminated in the development of our ONE platform for all Edge AI to help companies as their AI/ML journey evolves, from computer vision, to transformers to multi-modal generative AI capabilities.

On this National Technology Day, we are proud to be part of this vibrant and dynamic ecosystem. We are excited about the possibilities of AI and Machine Learning to revolutionize the industry and enhance the quality of our daily lives.

Sanjeev Chabbra, Managing Director & CEO at Beetel Teletech Ltd.

In today's digital era, where data has emerged as the lifeblood of organizations and a prime target for cybercriminals, ensuring data security and privacy has become imperative for any organization here in India. The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the emergence of cutting-edge algorithms have further expanded the cyber threat landscape at an unprecedented pace, posing formidable challenges for organizations across India.

With threat actors leveraging sophisticated AI algorithms to develop potent and evasive cyber attacks capable of circumventing traditional security measures, there's a heightened awareness and an urgent need to augment cyber budgets. A recent PWC survey revealed that a staggering 99% of respondents acknowledged the necessity of increasing their cyber security investments. However, merely increasing budgets is not enough; organizations must also adopt advanced strategies such as zero trust architecture, continuous threat exposure management, corporate cyber intelligence, and insider threat response systems to fortify their defenses against the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. As India navigates these challenges, its tech sector is set to play an increasingly pivotal role on the global stage.

Karan Rai, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Ennoventure Inc

In 2024, the synergy of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digital security continues to transform our society and various industries. As we celebrate National Technology Day under this year's theme 'School to Startups: Igniting Young Minds to Innovate,' we reflect on the substantial progress made in utilizing technology to tackle global challenges, particularly in enhancing the security of global supply chains.

This year, we recognize the essential role of innovative technologies in fighting counterfeiting, an issue that affects sectors ranging from FMCG to automotive parts and agrochemicals. Our focus is on creating solutions that not only protect products but also build a culture of trust and authenticity across industries. These advancements are crucial in establishing a safe and dependable market environment for consumers worldwide. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and promoting collaborative efforts, we are laying the foundation for a future where technology and ethical practices merge to create a more secure and just world.

On this National Technology Day, let us commend the resilience and creativity that propel these efforts and inspire the next generation of innovators — from educational institutions to emerging startups.

Manish Jain, CTO, Comviva

“As we celebrate National Technology Day this year, it is a matter of great pride to witness India's remarkable contributions to global tech innovation over the last decade. With the emergence of the startup ecosystem and big companies putting major focus on emerging technologies like AI and 5G over the last few years, India has firmly established itself as a leader in the tech landscape. In recent years, notable advancements in technology have centered on enriching customer experiences in all industries, including the telecom and financial sectors. Our team at Comviva is steadfastly committed to driving this transformative change with innovation at the core of our ethos. We have continuously supported and nurtured startups founded by our employees, demonstrating our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent. Our dedication to providing ongoing support and mentorship to these startups remains unwavering as we look forward to a future marked by continued innovation and success.”

Dr. Bishnu Pal Dean, Ecole Centrale School of Engineering, Mahindra University

“Educators hold the key to unlocking the potential of youth and nurturing their innate creativity to think critically, adapt swiftly, and innovate fearlessly by providing access to research, design thinking, and problem-solving platforms. By merging the power of technology with the vibrancy of the start-up ecosystem and bridging the gap between education and entrepreneurship, we can nurture young minds to build a career and also create opportunities for others. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Cell (EIC) at Mahindra University not only promotes an entrepreneurial ecosystem but also fosters a start-up culture on campus. As transformative technologies shape future societies it is vital to help nurture fresh ideas and streamline the boundless energy that young minds possess in abundance.”

Sriram Kannan, Founder & CEO, Routematic

“National Technology Day serves as a proud reminder of India's remarkable rise as a global powerhouse in technology and innovation. Over the past decade, India has climbed the ranks in the Global Innovation Index to reach 40th position, and nurtured the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, showcasing unparalleled growth. With technology at the core of India's journey towards realising the goal of Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat, it is imperative that we continue to foster a spirit of innovation amongst India’s youth. At Routematic, we firmly believe in the power of technology and continue to further leverage the immense potential of AI and data analytics in shaping safe, convenient, eco-friendly, shared mobility solutions for our country's workforce, while subsequently contributing towards our nation’s sustainable development targets and goal of becoming a Five Trillion Dollar economy.”