Technology Today Is Not Just About Automation; its About Designing Spaces That Respond To People And Adapt To Environment

On the occasion of National Technology Day, we share perspectives from two industry leaders—Johnson Controls, a global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, and the Global Network for Zero (GNFZ), a mission-driven organization committed to accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions.

Quote from Sivakumar Selvaganapathy, Vice President at OpenBlue India Software Engineering & APAC Solutions, Johnson Controls:

“National Technology Day is a timely moment to reflect on how infrastructure is evolving to meet the demands of a more dynamic, urban, and climate-conscious India. With buildings accounting for nearly 33% of the country’s total electricity consumption, the integration of intelligent systems, capable of managing energy, air quality, and operations in real time, is becoming essential. This is particularly critical in sectors like healthcare and data centers, where uptime, safety, and efficiency are non-negotiable. Technology today is not just about automation; it is about designing spaces that respond to people and adapt to the environment around them.

India’s ambition to add 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 will require infrastructure that is not only low-emission but also deeply connected and digitally optimized. The next decade will be defined by how we use data, AI, GenAI and  human-centric design to make buildings efficient, and future-ready. As a technology leader in smart and sustainable buildings, Johnson Controls is proud to support this national transition, building spaces that are prepared not just for today, but engineered to thrive in a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient tomorrow.” 

Quote from Mahesh Ramanujam, President & CEO, Global Network for Zero:

“On National Technology Day, it is important to recognize that innovation is not defined solely by the breakthroughs we achieve, but by how these advancements are deployed to shape integrated, sustainable systems. As India pursues its net zero targets and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat, technology must be positioned as an enabler of systemic transformation, where buildings, infrastructure, and communities function as interconnected ecosystems. With the Indian urban population projected to cross 400 million by 2050, how we design and operate the built environment will be central to meeting both climate imperatives and developmental aspirations.

This requires a shift from isolated interventions to deeply embedded strategies, where every advancement in energy systems, materials, and design contributes to a regenerative, low-carbon future. The path to net zero must be built on a foundation of holistic thinking, where sustainability is not an outcome, but a continuous process supported by adaptive technologies and inclusive planning. India stands at a pivotal moment where innovation, when guided by long-term systems thinking, can create not just efficient infrastructure, but thriving, resilient communities.”