Silicon Valley-based Singularity University, which plays multiple roles as a university, think-tank, and incubator, has set its sights on India, attracted by country’s booming entrepreneurial ecosystem. The university’s aim is to educate, inspire and empower leaders to apply exponential technologies to address humanity’s grand challenges. Exponential technologies comprise artificial intelligence and machine learning, networking and computing, robotics, design, digital health, big data, cybersecurity, crowd-sourcing, digital finance and the Internet of everything.
“There is tremendous growth in technology skill sets and technology companies based in India. And I am definitely excited by the kind of entrepreneurial growth that we are seeing in various regions around here,” Rob Nail, associate founder and CEO of Singularity University, told The Hindu .
The Singularity University is not like a regular university and its courses aren’t accredited. It is backed by likes of Google and Microsoft.
“Accreditation is the least of things for us. Learning can happen online as well. It is all about bringing together people from various facets and make them think about disruptive technologies which can change the world,” Mr Nail said. Last month, Singularity University hosted a two-day India summit on exponential technologies, its first in Asia. The event was held in association with INK that hosts events like INKtalks: a platform for the exchange of cutting-edge ideas.
Mr Nail said, “The first thing the university wants to bring to India and many other regions is shifting the perspective about technology, about future, and about all our roles in it. So the first step is building awareness.”
“The second step is getting more engaged with entrepreneurs, tech companies, academic institutions, governments and other non-profits, investment and finance communities.”
Singularity University is already working with Tata Group and Wipro. However, Mr Nail declined to comment on the nature of work.
In India, Singularity University wants to create a localised version of its Silicon Valley model. “India is a force that is going to be very important in terms of future of humanity. With is massive population and big problems it needs to solve, there is a possibility of the exponential technologies being democratised and available to everyone to change the planet,” Mr Nail said.
“We want to connect local ecosystem with our global ecosystem. Today we have 10,000 alumni in more than 95 countries,” Mr Nail said. “We are excited about making a strong network around the globe so that we can see new ideas, breakthroughs, and amazing entrepreneurs no matter where they come from. Because we know that you can have the next Google coming out of Bengaluru or Mumbai. And, so we would like to know when it happens and like to be part of it.”
University’s aim is to educate, inspire leaders to apply exponential technologies
