Daily Times

Sixty-seven years into independence and amid all the social and political noise and chaos around us, in a very sublime way, it is the technological innovation that is changing our world in the most radical ways. Probably, these changes are more rapid and impactful than most can envisage in their wildest imaginations. What is happening in undercurrents is very different from what meets the eye.
The combination of information revolution, healthcare innovation and renewable energies is changing the very nature of the human race. Probably the most visible impact of these innovations can be seen in the field of healthcare. Cambridge University researchers believe that with a combination of research in genetics, pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, in the coming 25 to 35 years, a child born may be able to live 1,000 years. The information revolution is opening up opportunities in the economy and productivity that were unthinkable even a few decades back. And then, for the first time since the post-industrial revolution, humans are nearing the harnessing of natural sources of energy in a way that will give them infinite energy to consume and use.
When one looks at the potential impact of all these innovations, the mind is simply baffled. The rising life span, more productivity, infinite energy availability and the ability to capture and process infinite amounts of information will transform humans more than they have ever been transformed in their existence. Higher standards of living, longer lifespans and abundantly available energy will transform reproduction patterns, leading to lower birthrates, different eating habits, lifestyles, modes of transportation, communication, human interaction and the concept of communities and families. In short, these innovations are leading humans into becoming a specie that will look human but will probably live like a superhuman entity. They use the term Human+ (H+) for this evolved human in scientific and policy planning circles.
This immense evolution offers an enormous opportunity to lift the human race out of poverty, hunger, disease and insecurity. At the same time, evolution also poses a serious challenge. The pace of development is so rapid that there is a risk that those left behind will turn into a totally different entity than those who are moving along with development. With ever more technological innovation, the gap between the lifestyles of those who are exposed to the fruits of this innovation and those who are not is ever increasing. More importantly, those exposed to this technological evolution are likely to be empowered with tools that enable them to be even more productive and innovative, and thus there is a serious risk of this ever-increasing gap between technology haves and technology have-nots becoming unbridgeable. If this happens in our world, there may live two parallel human entities that will look the same but will be totally different in every aspect of existence.
And thus, being humans, it is imperative that efforts be made to uplift all human societies to join this technological march of humanity. And, like every other human society in the third world, this has to be the biggest calling of everyone in Pakistan; everything else in due course will prove to be totally immaterial.
Being part of humanity’s march on the path to technology has certain prerequisites and societies need to ensure the provision of those prerequisites. First and foremost is the allowance for critical thinking and ability to question any dogmas and clichés. Second is an environment where one can reason and argue. Third comes education and unhindered access to information. Fourth is shunning xenophobic tendencies and embracing the world at large. Only when these prerequisites are provided can a quality education system deliver on enabling innovation, technological advancement and technology adaptability in a society at large. These challenges can only be met at the level of a society. No government intervention can do this for a society.
And thus, amid all the troubles that Pakistan faces, the challenge is not only to meet the obvious bread and butter challenges on a one-on-one basis but also to deal with them in sync with and using this technological evolution march of the human race. Polity, society and economic planning all need to focus on preparing a society that is innovative, thinks critically, enhances productivity through technological evolution and does it with the aim of impacting the world at large. There is little time left and we need to prepare ourselves to be part of this march of humanity to technological evolution. In the race to be at the pinnacle of scientific and technological research and innovation, the human race will move in sync. There will be no winners in this march; only those left out will be the ultimate losers.

The author can be reached on twitter at @aalimalik