Why in Broadcast?

• The office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government put out a draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) for public comment recently.

Key points about the policy

• The policy seeks to “ensure India’s position in the global deep tech value chain,” in areas such as semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and space tech.
• It captures various new policy instruments and suggests necessary policy changes like:

• Nurturing Research, Development & Innovation
• Strengthening the Intellectual Property Regime
• Facilitating Access to Funding
• Enabling Shared Infrastructure and Resource Sharing
• Creating Conducive Regulations, Standards, and Certifications
• Attracting Human Resources & Initiating Capacity Building
• Promoting Procurement & Adoption
• Ensuring Policy & Program Interlinkages
• Sustaining Deep Tech Startups

About Deep Tech

• Deep tech is exemplified by AI, Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain technology etc. They rely on complex algorithms and models to allow machines to learn from data and make wise judgements.
• DeepTech startups focus on developing early-stage products that are based on scientific or engineering innovations but have not yet been designed for any commercial uses.

Characteristics and Its Need

• Emerging deep technologies, including Advanced Analytics, AI/ML, IoT (Internet of Things), and Blockchain, have multiple utilities.
• Ex, position navigation timing technology such as GPS is needed for Google Maps and Uber but is also a crucial aspect for fighter jet navigation and missile systems.
• DeepTech can form the basis for future industries that emerging markets such as India need and require.
• DeepTech battlegrounds i.e. semiconductors, 5G, revolutions in biology and autonomy are crucial and vulnerable to military conflict, health emergencies and natural disasters.

Challenges

• Investment and long gestational period: Deep Tech is not only complex but takes much longer to mature. This drives investors away since the returns are not as quick as they desire.
• Shortage of talent and fierce competition for available talent: Although Indian population has high percentage of STEM at bachelor level it is STEMpoor at PhD level.
• Lack of funds: In the US, Israel and other NATO countries, government is still the largest source of funds for Deep Tech. India still is at nascent stage in this regard.

Way Forward

• Investing in deep, critical technology is the first step for the country to awaken to that ambition of a selfreliant and powerful India.
• With India’s public and private sectors focusing on adopting nextgeneration technologies, the demand for advanced deep tech and AI-related technologies will witness enormous growth domestically.
• Prowess in deep tech and AI will require focused attention and mentorship from the industry, academia, and the government.