LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

With reference to ‘Technology’s always been a job creator’ by G Krishna Kumar (March 29), technology has also been a job changer. It has modified and shaped existing jobs,calling upon people to adapt and re-train to meet the challenges of change.

‘Uberisation’ can become popular among the younger workforce. Maybe the Government too can introduce freelance work for ministries, departments and enterprises.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

With the advent of technology, automation, and AI, it is becoming increasingly difficult to define the rules of the game at the workplace. The upside to disruptions is that it could help create a new business paradigm by allowing individuals to engage in high-order thinking and decision-making, and create vast reservoirs of information, skills, and financing. Re-imagining work roles in this context requires understanding the skill sets of employees, the demand and supply of talent, and taking appropriate action to bridge the skills gap. Adapting to a digitalised world is not going to be conflict free. But it can be made easier by developing a holistic framework to bring together government, organisations, employees and other stakeholders.

Delhi

Automation created monotony and repetitiveness in operations but added speed and accuracy. What AI-like technology will do is create new jobs requiring higher skills. In the worst case scenario, government regulation of the economy can minimise job losses.

Pune

‘Technology’s always been a job creator’ is a misnomer. Linking technology to the creation of jobs is a deceptively subjective proposition which does not stand the scrutiny of available data and evidence. AI is only a tool and bestowing undue supremacy to it will enable it to lord over the users instead of having them master it. Krugman has thus rightly warned India to be wary of AI.

The permanency of jobs in India is already at stake and freelancing will erode quality. Reduction of admissions to ngineering colleges will only generate less-educated work-hands and undesirable consequences. Reinforced curricula, sensible industry-institution interface and sponsorship of entrepreneurial spirit towards new tasks, fresh assignments and unexplored fields will cushion job market demands considerably.

Bengaluru

Peaceful protests by the people of Thoothukudi and adjoining villages (in Tamil Nadu) demanding closure of Sterlite Copper Plant of the Vedanta group alleging that it is causing irreversible damage to the environment and their lives and livelihoods, cannot be brushed aside.

Even though the protest has gained traction with people, the State government has been insensitive to the issues.

While the Vedanta group has claimed they have put in place a zero-discharge system, the use of waste for sustainable applications, energy-efficient system and stringent emission monitoring to protect environment and ensure the well-being of the communities, apprehensions regarding pollution and its detrimental effect on health and livelihoods remain.

Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu

The official rechristening of BR Ambedkar as Bhimrao ‘Ramji’ Ambedkar by the Yogi Adityanath government in UP is a gimmicky move. Even those familiar with the UP chief minister’s bizarre ways were flabbergasted by the insistence on incorporation of his father’s name.

The motive for making the middle name compulsory in official documents is not far to seek; it is to make Dalits believe they are inseparable from Hinduism, and they cannot detach themselves from the hierarchical society. Adityanath ignores Ambedkar’s passionate opposition to the division of people on the basis of accident of birth sanctified by religious texts. No one who is familiar with Ambedkar would deem it quite appropriate to ‘deify’ him by rechristening him this way.

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

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