In a world where technological advancements shape our future, staying informed and connected is important. Following two successful editions, Future Ready Tech Events, a venture of Umang Group, hosted the third edition of its highly anticipated Global Technology Summit, ‘Hello, World! 3.0’ on the Zoho platform, bringing together IT entrepreneurs, professionals, and students from across the globe to discuss on the theme – The ethics of technology: Balancing innovation and responsibility to the virtual attendees.
At the event Goa’s Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant emphasised on the vital connection between technology, ethics, and responsibility in our evolving world and assured to foster a responsible tech ecosystem in Goa. IT minister Rohan Khaunte shared his views on advancing tourism and IT shaping Goa’s growth and development.
Ajay P Shrivastava, Jurisdictional Director at Software Technology Parks of India shared his thoughts on STPI playing a crucial role in providing statutory clearances for IT exports and supporting companies in navigating the evolving tech landscape. Shrivastava asked to embrace AI and focus on product development and encouraged the IT community to up-skill and seize new opportunities in emerging domains.
Gurmeet Singh, executive director of the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council, emphasised the critical importance of balancing technological innovation with ethical responsibility, particularly in areas like AI and data privacy. Singh highlighted the risks posed by deepfakes, which can manipulate public opinion and harm individuals, while also recognising their potential for creativity in the entertainment industry. Singh also called for collaboration among governments, tech companies, and individuals to address these challenges. He further encouraged a value driven approach to technology, concluding with an invitation to India Soft 2025.
A thought provoking panel discussion was followed which focused on ‘Global perspectives on tech ethics: Balancing innovation across cultures’ and the panellists Aniruddha Kaprekar, co-founder of Tech India Advocates and Jaimin Shah, CEO and managing director, Dev Information Technology Ltd, India Dev Info-Tech North America Ltd, Canada Co-Promoter, DevX co-chairman, ASSOCHAM Gujarat sr. vice president, TiE Ahmedabad Chairman GCCI IT Taskforce. The session was moderated by Milind Prabhu, CEO and managing director of Genora Infotech.
The panellists emphasised the importance of ethics in technology, highlighting the need for fairness, transparency, and local understanding in innovation. They agreed that while technology can drive progress, it must be guided by ethical considerations to prevent societal harm, and collaboration across borders is essential for success.
The chat on the topic ‘Innovation vs. Regulation: Where should startups draw the line?’ featured Karen Athaide, a renowned woman in Tech Mentor & Trainer, and Adv Prasanna Timble, a lawyer and founder of Legawise as the moderator. Both shared their perspective as they agreed that ethics and innovation should work together, with ethical principles guiding creative processes and building trust among customers. The importance of educating employees and the broader community about ethical practices while highlighting the shared responsibility of businesses, individuals, and governments in ensuring responsible innovation was the take away from this discussion.
Chinmay Kamat, COO of CopperCodes Consulting LLP and treasurer of the Goa Technology Association (GTA), hosted the event and delivered the vote of thanks to conclude the virtual event which was supported by the government of Goa as State partner, along with Electronic & Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), and the Goa Technology Association (GTA) as Associate Partners. Zoho was a part of this event as the Technology Partner.
(The writer is CEO and Co-founder, Umang Group and Chairman, ASSOCHAM IT Committee Goa)
