The recent statement from the Cars24 CEO has truly resonated with me: a leader whose livelihood directly depends on the automotive industry, yet advocates for restricting cars for the sake of his child’s future and cleaner air. It’s a powerful, almost paradoxical stance, highlighting a profound tension between immediate economic imperatives and long-term environmental sustainability.
This isn't merely a business decision; it’s a deeply personal plea for our shared future. It speaks to a growing awareness that the cost of progress, if unchecked, can become unbearable, particularly for the next generation. It forces us to confront the true price of our conveniences and the industries that fuel them.
I find myself reflecting on similar dilemmas I've explored in the past, particularly regarding the unforeseen consequences of technological advancement. I remember discussing with Kishan, Manish, Sandeep, and Sanjivani about the concept of a 'chain reaction' when we spoke about Blog Genie V 2.0 Blog Genie V 2.0. I used the analogy of Ahi-Ravana's blood drops multiplying into countless rakshasas – a vivid image of how a seemingly manageable phenomenon can go 'viral' and spiral out of control. This metaphor feels eerily fitting when contemplating the escalating impact of pollution. Just as Ted Levitt once penned in his seminal essay, “Marketing Myopia,” about the need to avoid obsolescence, we must not let our industries become myopic to their broader societal and environmental footprint.
In a similar vein, I recall my observations in “Revenge of AI” Revenge of AI, where I highlighted how significant technological shifts, like the 2016 AI partnership involving giants such as Facebook, Amazon, Google, IBM, and Microsoft, were often downplayed. I noted how the Hindustan Times had buried such a transformative piece of news. Yet, I predicted its monumental future impact. This situation with the Cars24 CEO feels like a similar moment of reckoning. We’ve been building an automotive future, perhaps without fully appreciating the 'AI ethics' of environmental impact. Francesca Rossi, an AI ethics researcher at IBM Research, emphasized the importance of trust, and Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind, spoke about involving those impacted by AI. Their insights, while in a different domain, echo the need for industries to build trust by addressing their wider societal impact, just as Satya Nadella envisioned AI revolutionizing experiences. The Cars24 CEO is now, in essence, demanding that we confront the real-world 'revenge' of our collective environmental choices.
The core idea Hemen wants to convey is this — take a moment to notice that he had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. He had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and he had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, he feels a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
This CEO’s courage to speak out against his own industry for a greater good should serve as a powerful catalyst. It's a testament to how personal responsibility, when amplified by leadership, can spark vital conversations about re-evaluating our priorities for a sustainable future.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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