The Rise of a Teenage Tech Titan

In Kochi, 15-year-old Uday Shankar is transforming the world of artificial intelligence. As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Urav Advanced Learning Systems Pvt Ltd, Uday’s journey from a school dropout to an AI innovator is a thrilling tale of passion, perseverance, and impressive achievements.

The Summer of Choices

Imagine 10-year-old Uday standing at a crossroads between swimming lessons and robotics classes. “It all started during my summer vacation,” Uday recalls with a grin. “My mom gave me a choice, so I chose robotics.” Instead of relaxing with a typical summer pastime, Uday plunged into the world of tech. That summer decision? It was like choosing between a splash and a leap into the future.

Turning a Pandemic Pause into a Fast-Forward Play

When the world hit pause due to the pandemic, Uday hit fast forward. With schools closed, he immersed himself in Python programming, learning from YouTube tutorials and a Bellary Institute professor. He also completed the Certificate of Completion of Prerequisite Course for Serious Game Development with AI from MIT and the Certificate in Python for Machine Learning Neural Networks and Deep Learning from IIT Kanpur. His drive led to groundbreaking projects like 3rDi 4 All, an app designed to assist the visually-impaired, which was selected for the Kerala Government’s Young Innovator Programme. For Uday, what seemed like the world closing doors was an invitation to innovate.

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The name Ritesh Agarwal is now synonymous with affordable, standardized, and technology-driven hospitality services worldwide. He is the founder and CEO of OYO (On Your Own) Rooms, a multinational hospitality chain of leased and franchised hotels, homes and living spaces. From a small-town dreamer to the head of one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality chains, his journey speaks of his spirit of entrepreneurship, which embodies innovation, resilience and passion.

Ritesh was born on 16 November 1993 in Bissam Cuttack, Odisha and grew up in Titilagarh. His family ran a small shop in Rayagada. Right from his childhood, he was drawn to computers, and coding was his first love. He attended Sacred Heart School and later St John’s Senior Secondary School. In 2009, he enrolled in IIT Kota, but his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for coding soon led him down a different path. He dropped out to pursue his tech dreams and moved to Delhi in 2011, seeking greater opportunities and a platform to launch his entrepreneurial career.

Starting as a struggling teenager to leaving college for his own business, Ritesh went against what people thought he should do.

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In a world increasingly driven by technology and innovation, young minds like Aakansha Jagga, a student of Vikas Bharati Public School, Delhi, are keeping up with the pace and setting new benchmarks. This young innovator has made significant strides in multiple fields, impacting communities in India, Nigeria, and the USA with her groundbreaking projects and passionate advocacy for STEM education.

AI-Driven Plant Disease Detection Tool

One of Aakansha’s most notable projects is an AI-driven plant disease detection tool. Developed in collaboration with Intel, this tool has already substantially impacted India. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the tool helps farmers identify and manage plant diseases more effectively. The result is improved crop yields and greater sustainability in agricultural practices. Till date, over 200 farmers have benefited from this innovative solution, highlighting Aakansha’s commitment to addressing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

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I’m currently studying in Std XI. I want to become a data scientist. Which are the best institutions in India to study data science in? Can I study data science abroad? 
Rashi Chauhan

Data Science is one of the most sought-after and high-paying fields in the tech industry. You’ll need at least a degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, to work as a data scientist. Along with a degree, you are supposed to know some programming languages such as R, Python, SQL, C or Java and have strong database design and coding skills. Then you can go for PG course in business analytics, big data, and data science.

Some of the top colleges for these courses are IITs, IIM, NITs, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune (iiserpune.ac.in), Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad (isb.edu), S. P. Jain School of Global Management, Mumbai (spjain.org); Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai (greatlakes.edu.in).

You may also go abroad for studies in Data Science. But before deciding to study abroad, it is crucial to thoroughly weigh the costs and probable difficulties, such as tuition costs, living costs, and the difficulty of acclimating to a new place and culture.

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In a bid to tackle river and ocean pollution in India, Hong Kong-based marine technology start-up, Clearbot, is launching a fleet of larger solar-powered autonomous boats.

Clearbot previously deployed 13 boats capable of collecting up to 250 kg of plastic waste daily for projects in Hong Kong and India. Each of their new self-driving electric boats collects approximately 500 kg of plastic waste and other debris from the river and ocean. The boats collect waste from the surface of the water and deposit it in designated areas for collection and recycling.

Founded by University of Hong Kong graduates in 2019, Clearbot harnesses solar power for its fleet, thus eliminating carbon emissions associated with conventional diesel-powered vessels that traditionally perform these tasks.

India contributes approximately 13 per cent of global ocean plastic. With at least 11 million tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually, initiatives like Clearbot’s represent vital steps toward alleviating environmental degradation.

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Here’s another naari shakti inspiration from the fields of Ludhiana: sixteen-year-old Namya Joshi. She’s an ambitious, passionate, and incredibly energetic girl who loves to play Minecraft. In addition, she is a student at Ludhiana’s Sat Paul Mittal School and Microsoft’s official Minecraft Student Ambassador.

When she observed her pals struggle with their studies back in 2018, she thought, “Why not mix in some Minecraft gameplay with the lessons?” Namya, then in Class 6, hurried home to the drawing board and completed her first render — an Egyptian civilization. Her project was well appreciated. She calls her parents, grand-parents and principal her backbone. No doubt we can say that she is a support system to herself as she says, “If I cannot support and motivate myself nobody else can!” Her motto: “Stay true to yourself, yet always be open to learn, work hard and never give up your dreams, even if nobody else believes.”

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The website beam.org needs no introduction for it has received multiple awards and recognition for its social impact. It is the world’s first online platform that supports homeless people, refugees and prison-leavers to get off the streets and into careers they love, all through crowdfunded donations. The man behind this social cause is none other than Alex Stephany.

A British citizen, Alex was educated at Haberdashers Aske’s School and later at Oxford University where he graduated in the English language. When he was 19, he secured his first job as an English teacher in China. But soon he moved to law and began working at Clifford Chance, a British multinational law firm, where he didn’t survive long. After working for different companies and experimenting with various start-ups, he finally got into the parking app JustPark and became its CEO. JustPark connects drivers in search of parking with anyone who has a spare space — whether it is a private driveway or a public school. This service is able to generate millions of pounds annually for families and businesses.

Stephany was already a successful entrepreneur when he happened to meet a homeless man at his local tube station. He bought the man coffee and thermal socks and got to know a little about his life. But he realized that giving such temporary solace just wasn’t enough to make a real, tangible difference in his life.

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In today’s fast-paced digital age, the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and language models like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the way we live, work and interact. As teenagers, you have the incredible opportunity to leverage these technologies to enhance your daily lives. ChatGPT can be used as a personal assistant to ask questions or even to learn a new skill or language for that matter. Let’s explore how you can harness the potential of AI and ChatGPT to make the most of these innovative advancements.

1. Enhancing Everyday Life

AI is becoming an integral part of our daily routines. With ChatGPT, you can answer questions, set reminders, and ask for information on various topics. For example, you can ask about anything you are curious about, quick maths-solutions, or even seek advice on personal matters. It’s like having a knowledgeable companion available at your fingertips.

2. Planning and Organization

AI and ChatGPT can be valuable tools in organizing and planning your life. Consider creating a schedule to plan holidays, study time, extracurricular activities, and other commitments. Utilize ChatGPT to assist you in creating detailed itineraries for travel, suggesting popular attractions, and providing local recommendations based on your preferences.

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AI has revolutionized various aspects of our lives, creating applications in engineering, media, art, education, healthcare and countless other fields. The potential for AI to improve human life is limitless.

One of the remarkable aspects of AI is its ability to handle vast amounts of data and perform complex tasks that would take humans much longer to accomplish. It has transformed industries, boosting productivity and opening up new avenues for growth and progress. For instance, in the field of medicine, AI assists doctors in diagnosing diseases more accurately and devising personalized treatment plans. In the world of art, AI algorithms are capable of creating stunning visual masterpieces, pushing the boundaries of human creativity.

As with every innovation, there come challenges. AI poses questions and concerns about its ethical implications and the potential loss of human jobs to automation. While AI enhances certain areas of our lives, it also has the potential to disrupt traditional employment, leading to the need for up-skilling of our workforce. Additionally, AI can sometimes be a challenge to our personal relationships. The balance between using technology for convenience and maintaining meaningful human relationships requires careful consideration.

Despite the challenges, we have a remarkable ability to adapt and find solutions to the problems posed by innovation. The key lies in understanding the significance of AI technology innovation while being mindful of its effects on society and individuals. It is crucial to strike a balance between utilizing AI’s potential and preserving the essence of human creativity, empathy and emotional intelligence.

As Tayler Durden, the hero in the film Fight Club, aptly says, “We are a piece of art in progress”. Just like any masterpiece, our journey too is about self-discovery and growth. Today’s teens will experience the full potential of AI and the changes it brings about. Rather than fearing this new era, we must embrace it with open arms, using AI to enrich our lives and enhance our capabilities.

As we celebrate Teachers’ Day on Sept 7, we need to consider the pivotal role that teachers can play in preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities that AI presents thereby equipping them with a strong foundation in critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

Let us approach AI with optimism, prudence and creativity as it paves the way for a future where human potential and artificial intelligence coexist harmoniously, for the benefit of everyone. The canvas of life is vast and ever-changing, so together we can craft masterpieces of human achievement.

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The United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to help achieve equal access and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. A significant gender gap has persisted throughout the years at all levels of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields.

The number of women working, studying and researching in science fields needs to increase significantly over the next few years, as they have a huge role in pushing science forward. We need more girls and women in science and we can support this by encouraging young girls to choose careers in science and showing them female role models who made significant contributions to the world of science.

Let’s take a look at some women role models in science.

Marie Curie: Together with her husband, she was awarded half of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903 for their study into spontaneous radiation.

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