Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at IIT Kanpur‘s convocation ceremony today, said that one must not be too involved in technology to forget human existence. “Be involved in artificial intelligence but do not forget human intelligence,” he added.

Discussing the nation’s fast-paced progress in technology, he went on to say, “In this 75th year of Independence, we have more than 75 unicorns and 50,000 startups. Out of these, 10,000 have come only in the last six months. Today, India has emerged as the second-largest startup hub in the world.” 

“Even in this decade, technology is going to increase its dominance in different fields. Life without technology would now be incomplete in a way. This is the age of competition in life and technology, and I am sure you will get ahead in this,” said PM Modi, reflecting on the role of technology in all aspects of life. 

However, he asked the students to become champions of technology, conquer it, and avoid turning into robotic versions of themselves. “Do work on the internet of things, but don’t forget the emotions of things.”

Before his address, the Prime Minister inaugurated a blockchain-driven system to deliver educational degrees. It is a massive leap in the field of technology, he said, adding that the 21st century is completely technology-driven.

All the students were issued digital degrees at the convocation through an in-house blockchain-driven technology developed at the institute under the National Blockchain Project.

The Prime Minister also launched the blockchain-based digital degrees. These digital degrees can be verified globally and are unforgeable.