GS-3: Science and Technology -developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. 

Key phrases:  Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection

Why in news:  

Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) were restricted to debates and academic discussions before the pandemic. But COVID-19 forced them to explore technological tools in the education sector, something that other sectors had already done and reaped many benefits.

Analysis:

What is Artificial Intelligence?

• Artificial intelligence is a theory and development of computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. Speech recognition, decision-making, visual perception, for example, are features of human intelligence that artificial intelligence may possess.
• AI applications include advanced web search engines e.g., Google, recommendation systems used by YouTube, Amazon and Netflix, understanding human speech such as Siri and Alexa, self-driving cars e.g., Tesla, automated decision-making and competing at the highest level in strategic game systems such as chess and Go.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

• Internet of Things is the concept of connecting any device (so long as it has an on/off switch) to the Internet and to other connected devices. The IoT is a giant network of connected things and people – all of which collect and share data about the way they are used and about the environment around them.
• That includes an extraordinary number of objects of all shapes and sizes – from smart microwaves, which automatically cook your food for the right length of time, to self-driving cars. There are even connected footballs that can track how far and fast they are thrown and record those statistics via an app for future training purposes.
• Devices and objects with built in sensors are connected to an Internet of Things platform, which integrates data from the different devices and applies analytics to share the most valuable information with applications built to address specific needs.
• These powerful IoT platforms can pinpoint exactly what information is useful and what can safely be ignored. This information can be used to detect patterns, make recommendations, and detect possible problems before they occur.

Advantages of IoT:

• Monitor Data: It helps us know the precise quantity of supplies or the air quality in home, it can also provide more data that could not have previously been possible to collect easily. For instance, monitoring the expiration of products will improve safety.
• Ease of Access: Right now, one can easily gain the required information in real-time, from almost any location. It only takes a smart device and internet connection. Example using Google Maps to see our location, instead of asking a person in real life. 
• Speedy Operation: All this data pouring in enables us to complete multiple tasks with amazing speed. For example, IoT makes automation effortless. Smart industries automate repetitive tasks, thus allowing employees to invest their time and effort into more challenging things.
• Adapting to New Standards: As IoT is an ever-changing topic, its changes are minimal compared to the other techs of the high-tech world. Without IoT, it would be complicated for us to keep track of all the latest things.
• Better Time Management: IoT is a clever time-saving tool. We can look up the latest news on our phones during our daily commute, or check a blog about our favourite pastime, purchase an item in an online shop, we can do almost all the things from the palm of our hands.
• Automation and Control: Without human interference, the machines are communicating with each other providing faster and timely output.
• Saving Money: Another main advantage of IoT is saving money. If the cost of the tagging and monitoring machines are less compared with the amount of money saved, this is the reason for the Internet of Things being very widely adopted.
• Allowing the data to be communicated and shared between devices and then translating it into our required way, makes our systems efficient.

Disadvantages of IoT: 

• Data Breach: Having access to data is excellent. Unfortunately, our personal data is more exposed. 
• Dependence on Technology: IoT is mainly dependent on the internet connection. When there is none, it can’t be used. 
• Complexity in Operation: IoT may seem to be managing tasks with ease, a lot of complex operations are done behind it. If by mistake the software makes a wrong calculation, this will affect the rest of the process. For instance, we don’t know how to deal with the wrong temperature in our home. At worst, an error code in water dam software could cause a disastrous flood.
• Our Safety: As all the household appliances, industrial machinery, public sector services like water supply and transport, and many other devices all are connected to the Internet, a lot of information is available on it. This information is prone to attack by hackers. It would be very disastrous if private and confidential information is accessed by unauthorized intruders.
• Inter Compatibility: As devices from various manufacturers will be interconnected to each other, the issue of compatibility in tagging and monitoring increases. This disadvantage can be overcome if manufacturers make a common standard, but there is still a possibility that the technical problems may still persist.
• Lesser Employment of Menial Staff: The uneducated workers and helpers may lose their jobs as an effect of automation of daily activities. This can lead to unemployment in society.
• Technology Takes Control of Life: Our lives are increasingly controlled by technology and will be dependent on it. The younger generation is already addicted to technology for every little work to be done.

How is IoT impacting the digital transformation of education?

• Tracking movement: Integrated systems of IoT, which automatically transmits information about the child boarding the bus, the bus reaching the school and the child entering the school premises, can be available to both parents and teachers via an app and automated messages.
• Attendance system: Teachers and faculty members need not waste time on roll call. Instead, the student’s identity card automatically communicates with the sensors in the classroom and marks attendance.
• Automatic sharing: Taking notes and marking critical points is an integral part of a student’s class activity. But, with IoT, all the contents on the black/whiteboard is automatically converted into a portable document and shared over email.
• Session capture: An IoT environment automatically captures a classroom session (audio and video) and puts it on a shareable drive. This can be accessed by those students who missed the class. This way learning becomes both inclusive and accessible.
• Ensuring security: With COVID-19 still doing the rounds, an IoT-based system integrated with CCTVs can scan the campus and spot people who are not wearing masks. The coordinates can be sent as an SMS and an email to the administrative authority for further action.
• Read and translate: IoT can also be used to quickly scan editable text from books, papers and other documents directly into a phone, tablet or computer and translate into more than 40 languages. This allows students to read the content in the language they are comfortable with and to use the application to read and listen to the text.

Way forward

• IoT makes life easier at the cost of privacy and hence Data Protection Bill can do a lot good in ensuring the privacy of an individual. 
• Cooperation between digital companies and the state is required for larger security. 

Source: The Hindu
 

Prelims question:

Q. Which of the following can be a plausible application of Internet of Things (IoT)?

1. Insurance companies can give discounts to safe drivers based on the data sent by the sensors fitted in the vehicles. 

2. An implantable device capable of remote monitoring of patients with heart problems. It can warn the physician when it detects an irregularity in the patient's heart rhythm.

3. In mines, the sensors can send real-time info on the toxicity of the air, the structural strength of the walls or the possibility of flooding.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Mains question:

Q. What are the prospects and challenges of adopting emerging technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) in the Indian context? Are there any underlying ethical concerns? Explain. (15 Marks, 250 Words)