Futurologist predicts IT boom to last for 20 years in India
Now this guy might be a more reliable source than the other dude from Redherring.
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Ian D Pearson is designated as a futurologist at BT Applied Research & Technology in United Kingdom. He predicts that the Indian software boom will last for the next two decades.
"India will witness a boom led by the IT revolution which will last for the next twenty years. However, it is important that the country makes the most of it in the next two decades. I see it ending by 2020," he said.
British Telecom is the only company to have a full fledged team of futurologist. "We are like an early warning radar system. We are supposed spot trends before they happen. Predict a possible scenario and a possible environment so that the company can capitalise on the market. Depending on this, new strategies are devised by the company to take on the future," he said.
He envisages a company (British Telecom) in a new avatar in the next few years. "BT currently has full time staff. I believe that the company will move to contracting the entire service from professionals. This will be done on a project by project basis. This is good from the employees point of view as they will receive more pay and will take up more jobs. At the same time, employer will have the choice to choose from the available pool of talent," he said.
India's opportunities will be in this significant change in the strategy of his company and others. "These services can be sourced from the vast talent pool and engineering skills available in India. However, over the next two decades, the cost efficiency level will not remain as salary levels in India will become at par with international costs."
From the consumer's point of view, he believes that they will receive a lot more at today's price. "In future, consumers will receive much more at less price. The higher capacity for transmission of data, images, audio will give a new dimension to the entertainment business. At the same time, the high level of intelligence in machines will result in negotiations for purchases with vendors on the net being done by them for the consumer. For example, if a consumer wants to purchase an item, the computer will look for the best possible option for the user," he predicts.
Human intelligence will not become redundant with intelligent machines. "Increased interactivity with intelligent machines will not affect human intelligence. It will increase its scope. Every individual will have a choice and quality time to do things from his living room. People may spend more time with nature even if it is possible to create the same ambience with the help of virtual reality," Pearson said.
Source : MI
Feb 4, 2000 |
