5 Feb 2024

#GS3 –01. Brain Chip Implants

BCI systems acquire brain signals, and decode and translate them into intended actions. The BCI then transmits these to devices like computers, phones, robotic and prosthetic limbs. A BCI can use non-invasive techniques such as Electroence phalography (EEG) that uses electrodes on the scalp to acquire brain signals; or Magnetoence phalography(MEG) that captures magnetic fields from brain activity but is expensive; or real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to acquire non-invasive brain scans. Neura link implants electrodes, which offer the highest signal resolutions but are more invasive.

BCIs can revolutionize healthcare For individuals with paralysis or severe motor disabilities to control devices; offer immersive experiences in entertainment and gaming;monitor brain activity and provide real-time feedback for stress management or anxiety reduction; train pilots to improve their cognitive performance and response times. Potential uses include secure communication and control of unmanned vehicles; and educational content based on the learner’s cognitive state,making learning more effective.

The long-term effects on the brain Are being tested. Brain chip implants can be hacked, raising privacy and security concerns. Safeguards against unauthorized access are needed. Issues of bias in algorithms and questions about autonomy and personal identity emerge as BCIs could alter cognitive abilities, raising ethical concerns too. Ensuring equitable access to such technologies is critical too.Those with religious leanings could see gene editing and BCI implants as “meddling with nature”.
– Commentary in News
Key Terms/Issues : BCI Systems, EEG, fMRI, Non-invasive techniques

#GS4 — 02. On Failure & Growth

One thing that our formal education does not prepare for us is how vital failure is to our growth. Our education system is designed for us to despise failure and have a paralysing fear of it. However, life is not meant to be free of failures.
-CJI DY Chandrachud

#GS3 –03. National Urban Digital Mission

The ‘National Urban Digital Mission’ will see the Centre support states to take up the online route for services including property tax,water,electricity and other utility bills.The finance ministry has already set aside ₹1,450crore for the scheme in the interim budget for FY25. This programme will,however,operate under the Smart Cities Mission.
– Commentary in News
Key Terms/Issues : National Digital Urban Mission, Smart Cities Mission

#Essay — 04. AI

A baby learns to crawl,walk and then run.We are in the crawling stage when it comes to applying artificial intelligence.
-Commentary in News

#GS3 — 05. AI & Deep Learning

While it is Chat GPT and Generative AI that are making waves and dominating the discourse, the promised miracles of AI are happening elsewhere—using existing technologies like deep learning and neural networks.

While Gen AI and its chat bots are extremely powerful and promising language-based technologies, it is still ‘good old AI’ that has been churning 0utstanding new products, led by Deep Mind. Humans are still far ahead in general intelligence, but in these narrow niches, deep learning has achieved astonishing results. In the Sedol-Alpha Zero match, there was another vaunted move—No.78 in the fourth game,this time by the human.Called the “God Move,” it flummoxed and confused the AI, making it lose the game comprehensively to Sedol. However good AI becomes,we must always remember it is created by us.

– Commentary in News
Key Terms/Issues : Deep Learning, Neural Networks, God Move

#GS3 –06. Capex for economic growth

Continuing with this strategy, the government’s proposal to keep up the momentum of capital expenditure by budgeting a 17% increase in 2024-25 over an already high base of the revised estimate for 2023-24(and a 11.1% hike over the budget estimate of ₹10 trillion) is well-intentioned. Importantly, the transparency seen in successive budgets, by relying on gross budgetary support for capex rather than on public sector units (PSUs), or the internal and external budgetary resources (IEBR) route (also referred to as ‘off-budget’) is laudable. States that have been at the forefront of capex spending in the current year got a further leg-up with an allocation of₹1.3 trillion to be provided as 50-year interest-free loans for their capex and ₹75,000 crore linked to state-level reforms. In addition, the PM Gati Shakti rail corridors are expected to improve logistics efficiency while bringing down costs.
– Commentary in News

#GS1 –07. Iron Ore

Considering that iron ore is a non-renewable national resource and a vital raw material for various industries, strict control over its over-exploitation is necessary.The Competition Commission of India (CCI), along with the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development,recently published a market study report with a view to identify and address anticompetitive practices in the country’s iron ore sector.Mining has played a crucial role in India’s development, as it feeds many other core sectors of the Indian economy,such as coal,steel,cement and fertilizers.The production of iron ore is concentrated in a few states,such as Odisha (around 54% of the total),and constitutes around 70% of the raw material costs of steel companies. Al though Odisha is seen to have a competitive advantage in iron ore mining(backed by good infrastructure And an efficient administrative set-up), the report highlights the fact that high prices of iron ore in Odisha are affecting the viability of small-scale pellet and sponge iron manufacturers that use iron ore as their primary raw material.