Exciting Advancements in AI and Space Technology
Exciting new advancements with potentially far-reaching implications were reported in the sphere of science and technology this year. Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and space technology dominated 2024, garnering much public attention. While generative AI technologies became integral to laptops and smartphones, the world was surprised when Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, was declared a co-winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in chemistry. The recognition denotes the potential of applying AI in diverse fields. Hassabis has developed an AI model for creating new proteins — a breakthrough that can revolutionise the development of new medicines and vaccines.
In India, too, the application of AI technologies is picking up fast. Research related to AI is in progress, while the government has announced an AI Mission. In September, scientists at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, made a major announcement that could impact AI and computing. They have developed a computing platform capable of storing and processing data in an astonishing 16,500 ‘conductance states’ within a molecular film. Data storage and processing are limited to just two ‘conductance states’ in currently used digital computers. This could mean that complex AI tasks such as training LLMs (large language models) would not need supercomputers and could be handled with personal devices like laptops and smartphones in future. The new platform, developed by a team led by Sreetosh Goswami, is based on neuromorphic computing — computing that mimics the brain.
As the use of AI continued to spread to many areas, concerns were raised about potential ethical and privacy issues. India took baby steps for regulation with an advisory in March requiring companies engaged in AI to seek government permission before deploying certain AI models to prevent ‘algorithmic discrimination’ and the spread of deepfakes. Following the industry’s objections that it would hamper innovation, the advisory was kept in abeyance. Globally, the European Union has taken the lead with its AI Act coming into force in August. It seeks to impose controls on providers of AI services based on their potential for causing harm.
In space technology, the year saw significant developments towards achieving a fully reusable rocket. In October, private space firm SpaceX launched its Starship spacecraft using a 70-metre-tall rocket, Super Heavy, and made it return to the earth through controlled descent after launching the spacecraft. Not just this, the rocket was caught on the launch pad using a giant tower named Mechazilla with its gigantic robotic arms. The test demonstrated that rockets can be reused after they launch spaceships and satellites. At present, rockets burn down after propelling spacecraft in their orbit and some are partially usable. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk envisages refuelling of Super Heavy and its return to the launch pad within half an hour of its flight just like an aeroplane in the near future.
Reusable rockets can bring down the cost of space transportation and change the dynamics of the space industry. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is engaged in developing a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV); it conducted an important test — horizontal landing — with its winged vehicle Pushpak in June.
In 2023, the government announced a grand space vision for Amrit Kaal under which India would establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and send an Indian to the moon by 2040. This year, formal approval was granted for the construction of the station, envisaging the launch of its first module by 2028. The space station could take a final shape by 2035 and its assembly would be taken up along with the human space flight initiative, Gaganyaan. As per the approvals granted in September, four missions under the Gaganyaan programme are expected by 2026.
India, however, is way behind China, which already has its space station running. China has also forged ahead with its lunar exploration. In June, it accomplished the first-ever mission for the retrieval of lunar rock samples from the moon’s far side. The lander of Chang’e 6 used its robotic drill to obtain about 1.9 kg of samples and its ascending module then lifted off from the top of the lander and docked with the orbiter, which then headed to the earth. ISRO, too, plans to bring lunar samples with its Chandrayaan-4 mission, slated for 2027.
Away from the mysteries of space, Indian scientists were engaged in solving the enigma of diverse Indian populations through genetic studies. Gyaneshwer Chaubey of Banaras Hindu University and K Thangaraj of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology reported that the present inhabitants of the Nicobar Islands are genetic cousins of Htin Mal, an ethnic group in present-day Laos that speaks Mon-Khmer, and they arrived in Nicobar some 5,000 years ago. Indian scientists had earlier shown that Andamanese and Onges are direct descendants of the earliest humans who migrated out of Africa 70,000 years ago. To settle the larger question of the origins of Indian populations, the government asked the Anthropological Survey of India to extract ancient DNA from skeletal remains dug out from Harappa and Mohenjo Daro sites to conduct a fresh analysis.
In a great example of connecting high science with societal applications, Praveen Vemula, a researcher at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru, developed a topical dermal gel that can deactivate pesticides with the purpose of helping farmers who get exposed while spraying harmful pesticides and insecticides. In the next stage, Vemula developed an anti-pesticide fabric that can be stitched as a raincoat. The fabric can deactivate a range of chemicals upon contact, thereby protecting farmers from toxicity. Earlier this month, a startup floated by Vemula came up with ‘Kisan Kavach’ made from this novel fabric. Hopefully, we will see more such lab-to-market innovations in 2025, alongside more visible technology applications like AI and space.
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