Convergence of Technologies as a New Basis for Integration of Production, Science and Education

The author proves that the revival of the Russian economy relies not only on finding a solution to reindustrialization issues which have been labeled as critical for several decades, but also on profound transformation of material production involving active development of the latest technologies fit to face the challenges of the sixth technological mode. This objective necessitates the advancement of the subject and process of knowledge generation and acquisition, i.e. science and education, hence the need to integrate production, science and education at all levels of the economy starting with production as the core link. In order to promote the development of new technologies and the integration of production, science and education under a new type of material production typical of the new industrial society of the second generation as a successor to the achievements of the new industrial society of the twentieth century as opposed to the pursuit of postindustrialist illusions, we need to foster technological convergence. The article presents a new approach to the penetration of technologies into other technologies and production under the NBICS convergence which rests on three seminal premises. First, technologies vary by their penetration potential. Second, higher penetration potential translates into higher aggregate synergy of technological interaction. Third, New technologies with a higher level of positive synergetic potential serve as the main driver of civilizational development. The author concludes that information and communications technologies currently constitute the basic technologies of the new technological mode which possess maximum penetration and integration potential. These changes rely on the trend towards the removal of humans from immediate material production processes, a sharp increase in the knowledge intensity of a product and the corresponding reduction in the share of material expenses in the process of production. If Russia develops strategic planning institutions, pursues an active industrial policy, promotes private public partnership mechanisms, ensures the accessibility of education and provides wide research support, it can become one of the world’s leading economies.