The
Changing Landscape of Literacy
The landscape of literacy is evolving
alongside technological advancements. Initially, literacy was defined as the
ability to read and write, enabling individuals to secure desk jobs while
others engaged in physical labour.
In his 1970 book "Future
Shock," Alvin Toffler suggested that in the 21st century, illiteracy would
not stem from the inability to read and write but from the failure to learn,
unlearn, and relearn. India's literacy rate was 34.5% in 1971, but with
government initiatives, it has reached 85.95%. Despite Toffler’s statement
being directed at Western countries, India has made significant strides in
increasing literacy.
With the advent of computers,
traditional literacy alone was no longer sufficient for employment.
Consequently, India saw a proliferation of computer education centres, where
individuals upgraded from typewriting to desktop publishing, and others
transitioned into software development. This trend persisted for over two
decades, during which universities revised their curricula to align with
industrial demands.
As change remains constant, computer
literacy alone is no longer adequate in the face of emerging technologies such
as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and chatbots like GPT. These
advancements are gradually displacing traditional jobs that were once
considered the pinnacle of the new economy from 1990 to 2000.
Today, literacy is merely a baseline
requirement, and proficiency in computers is essential. Embracing AI is
becoming imperative as we navigate the evolving landscape.
It's time to let go of our traditional
software skills and start learning new AI skills. Those who began their careers
in software should learn from the current generation, who are adept at AI and
chat GPT. When we observe these changes, Charles Darwin's words still hold true:
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most
intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change."
M.L.
Narendra Kumar
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