Reluctant Technophiles: India’s Complicated Relationship with Technology (Paperback-2024)

About the Book: The past was glorious. A future disrupted by technology is almost here. But India still awaits its technology-based prosperity. With deep-rooted inequalities, disinformation and corruption running through the veins of the Indian society, it’s hypocritical to pretend that technological solutions can solve all our problems. We are also relatively unprepared for the genuine challenges technology presents. While the benefits of technology are numerous, the challenges have the potential to magnify existent biases, exacerbate social and economic inequality, and break the social fabric. Reluctant Technophiles: India’s Complicated Relationship with Technology sheds light on what technology can solve and what it can’t. Drawing from the discussions of ancient religious text, quantum computing, Greek mythology and current events, the book tries to find the sweet spot at the intersection of technology, policy and society.

About the Author: Rakesh Kumar is a Professor of computer engineering at the University of Illinois. His research in computer system design has pioneered technologies which are used widely today. Several of his papers have been recognized as the most influential papers in computer systems; many of them have won best paper awards. His research has received coverage and mentions in outlets such as BBC, Fortune and The New York Times. In addition to being an award-winning researcher and teacher, Rakesh thinks deeply about issues at the intersection of technology, policy and society, especially in the Indian context. His opinion articles have appeared in The Telegraph, The Statesman, The Tribune, Nature India, Business Today and the Washington Examiner. Rakesh received a BS from IIT Kharagpur in 2001 and a PhD from the University of California at San Diego in 2006. He is often seen eating adventurously at a restaurant or spending time with his very active eight-year-old.