Challenges of a new technological order

09:45, December 1, 2021

RUDN became an academic partner of the international conference GSEM UrFU

As part of the XVI International Conference "Russian Regions in the Focus of Change", Peoples' Friendship University of Russia had a session "Challenges of a new technological order: energy transition, artificial intelligence, circular economy."

Most countries in the world are currently pursuing, to one degree or another, stimulating policies for the development of renewable energy and energy efficient economies. This trend is fully characteristic of large countries with economies in transition, striving for the earliest possible transfer of their economies to a new technological order and the conquest of technological leadership. The wide coverage of the research topic prompts a detailed analysis of individual technological directions of development of such countries.

Svetlana Balashova and Vladimir Matyushok presented analysis of the negative trend in the share of labor force in income with different parameters for different groups of countries. On the one hand, the negative trend is weakening for countries with a labor force share below the median. On the other hand, however, the global financial crisis has negatively changed the share of the labor force. And we expect the same effect from COVID-19. For countries with a high share of wages in GDP, the negative trend of the early 2000s stopped in the 2010s and was replaced by a positive one. However, in recent years, average growth has been declining. While research results confirm the relevance of negative trends in labor force shares due to common factors such as technological change or globalization, these results also suggest that different trends for different groups of countries are due to specific factors that need to be examined.

Svetlana Ratner thinks that Russia and Brazil have many common features in the development of renewable energy and electric vehicles. Both countries follow the path of technology transfer, but have different development goals. If Brazil sets the goal of decarbonizing its economy, then Russia is more focused on the development of high-tech industries and retaining technological leadership in the energy sector. Cooperation within the BRICS opens up new prospects for the exchange of knowledge and competencies for a more successful development of these technologies.

Marina Reshetnikova and Ivan Mikhailov emphasized that the development of the world economy is based on strategic resources and technological triggers. In the 20th century, oil was such a resource. In the 21st century, innovation potential, especially flagship microelectronics, has become critical. This innovative trigger is critical for the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

Konstantin Gomov states that, for the effective regulation of the circular economy (CE) at the national and international levels, unified and informative system of indicators is important to monitor progress in CE. The lack of standard indicators to measure the progress of cyclicality leads to contradictions and misunderstandings, which is a problem for the implementation of CE strategies.

Svetlana Revinova and Inna Lazanyuk highlighted factors for the development of RES-based micro-generation that include, high average prices for electricity, which stimulate consumers to save on their purchase through their own generation; the ability to supply electricity to the grid and simplified procedures for connecting to the grid; availability of state subsidies for the tariff; guaranteed electricity sales under long-term contracts.

According to Satya Hangga Yudha Widya Putri and Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Indonesia is a country that is highly dependent on fossil fuels. Before, fossil fuels was seen as a revenue generator but now it is seen as an engine for economic growth. In the future, the use of fossil fuels is projected to decline as Indonesia is highly committed in achieving its nationally determined contribution within Paris Agreements and its NZE target. Nonetheless, this will take time and process as multiple stakeholders need to come together to form an environment that is conducive for the growth of renewable energy. Access and affordability to electricity will continue to become the leading priority for our National Government. Moreover, achieving low carbon development goals will also benefit multiple sectors, which should be emphasized.