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Essay on Technology

The word "technology" and its uses have immensely changed since the 20th century, and with time, it has continued to evolve ever since. We are living in a world driven by technology. The advancement of technology has played an important role in the development of human civilization, along with cultural changes. Technology provides innovative ways of doing work through various smart and innovative means. 

Electronic appliances, gadgets, faster modes of communication, and transport have added to the comfort factor in our lives. It has helped in improving the productivity of individuals and different business enterprises. Technology has brought a revolution in many operational fields. It has undoubtedly made a very important contribution to the progress that mankind has made over the years.

The Advancement of Technology:

Technology has reduced the effort and time and increased the efficiency of the production requirements in every field. It has made our lives easy, comfortable, healthy, and enjoyable. It has brought a revolution in transport and communication. The advancement of technology, along with science, has helped us to become self-reliant in all spheres of life. With the innovation of a particular technology, it becomes part of society and integral to human lives after a point in time.

Technology is Our Part of Life:

Technology has changed our day-to-day lives. Technology has brought the world closer and better connected. Those days have passed when only the rich could afford such luxuries. Because of the rise of globalisation and liberalisation, all luxuries are now within the reach of the average person. Today, an average middle-class family can afford a mobile phone, a television, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a computer, the Internet, etc. At the touch of a switch, a man can witness any event that is happening in far-off places.  

Benefits of Technology in All Fields: 

We cannot escape technology; it has improved the quality of life and brought about revolutions in various fields of modern-day society, be it communication, transportation, education, healthcare, and many more. Let us learn about it.

Technology in Communication:

With the advent of technology in communication, which includes telephones, fax machines, cellular phones, the Internet, multimedia, and email, communication has become much faster and easier. It has transformed and influenced relationships in many ways. We no longer need to rely on sending physical letters and waiting for several days for a response. Technology has made communication so simple that you can connect with anyone from anywhere by calling them via mobile phone or messaging them using different messaging apps that are easy to download.

Innovation in communication technology has had an immense influence on social life. Human socialising has become easier by using social networking sites, dating, and even matrimonial services available on mobile applications and websites.

Today, the Internet is used for shopping, paying utility bills, credit card bills, admission fees, e-commerce, and online banking. In the world of marketing, many companies are marketing and selling their products and creating brands over the internet. 

In the field of travel, cities, towns, states, and countries are using the web to post detailed tourist and event information. Travellers across the globe can easily find information on tourism, sightseeing, places to stay, weather, maps, timings for events, transportation schedules, and buy tickets to various tourist spots and destinations.

Technology in the Office or Workplace:

Technology has increased efficiency and flexibility in the workspace. Technology has made it easy to work remotely, which has increased the productivity of the employees. External and internal communication has become faster through emails and apps. Automation has saved time, and there is also a reduction in redundancy in tasks. Robots are now being used to manufacture products that consistently deliver the same product without defect until the robot itself fails. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology are innovations that are being deployed across industries to reap benefits.

Technology has wiped out the manual way of storing files. Now files are stored in the cloud, which can be accessed at any time and from anywhere. With technology, companies can make quick decisions, act faster towards solutions, and remain adaptable. Technology has optimised the usage of resources and connected businesses worldwide. For example, if the customer is based in America, he can have the services delivered from India. They can communicate with each other in an instant. Every company uses business technology like virtual meeting tools, corporate social networks, tablets, and smart customer relationship management applications that accelerate the fast movement of data and information.

Technology in Education:

Technology is making the education industry improve over time. With technology, students and parents have a variety of learning tools at their fingertips. Teachers can coordinate with classrooms across the world and share their ideas and resources online. Students can get immediate access to an abundance of good information on the Internet. Teachers and students can access plenty of resources available on the web and utilise them for their project work, research, etc. Online learning has changed our perception of education. 

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a paradigm shift using technology where school-going kids continued their studies from home and schools facilitated imparting education by their teachers online from home. Students have learned and used 21st-century skills and tools, like virtual classrooms, AR (Augmented Reality), robots, etc. All these have increased communication and collaboration significantly. 

Technology in Banking:

Technology and banking are now inseparable. Technology has boosted digital transformation in how the banking industry works and has vastly improved banking services for their customers across the globe.

Technology has made banking operations very sophisticated and has reduced errors to almost nil, which were somewhat prevalent with manual human activities. Banks are adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase their efficiency and profits. With the emergence of Internet banking, self-service tools have replaced the traditional methods of banking. 

You can now access your money, handle transactions like paying bills, money transfers, and online purchases from merchants, and monitor your bank statements anytime and from anywhere in the world. Technology has made banking more secure and safe. You do not need to carry cash in your pocket or wallet; the payments can be made digitally using e-wallets. Mobile banking, banking apps, and cybersecurity are changing the face of the banking industry.

Manufacturing and Production Industry Automation:

At present, manufacturing industries are using all the latest technologies, ranging from big data analytics to artificial intelligence. Big data, ARVR (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality), and IoT (Internet of Things) are the biggest manufacturing industry players. Automation has increased the level of productivity in various fields. It has reduced labour costs, increased efficiency, and reduced the cost of production.

For example, 3D printing is used to design and develop prototypes in the automobile industry. Repetitive work is being done easily with the help of robots without any waste of time. This has also reduced the cost of the products. 

Technology in the Healthcare Industry:

Technological advancements in the healthcare industry have not only improved our personal quality of life and longevity; they have also improved the lives of many medical professionals and students who are training to become medical experts. It has allowed much faster access to the medical records of each patient. 

The Internet has drastically transformed patients' and doctors’ relationships. Everyone can stay up to date on the latest medical discoveries, share treatment information, and offer one another support when dealing with medical issues. Modern technology has allowed us to contact doctors from the comfort of our homes. There are many sites and apps through which we can contact doctors and get medical help. 

Breakthrough innovations in surgery, artificial organs, brain implants, and networked sensors are examples of transformative developments in the healthcare industry. Hospitals use different tools and applications to perform their administrative tasks, using digital marketing to promote their services.

Technology in Agriculture:

Today, farmers work very differently than they would have decades ago. Data analytics and robotics have built a productive food system. Digital innovations are being used for plant breeding and harvesting equipment. Software and mobile devices are helping farmers harvest better. With various data and information available to farmers, they can make better-informed decisions, for example, tracking the amount of carbon stored in soil and helping with climate change.

Disadvantages of Technology:

People have become dependent on various gadgets and machines, resulting in a lack of physical activity and tempting people to lead an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Even though technology has increased the productivity of individuals, organisations, and the nation, it has not increased the efficiency of machines. Machines cannot plan and think beyond the instructions that are fed into their system. Technology alone is not enough for progress and prosperity. Management is required, and management is a human act. Technology is largely dependent on human intervention. 

Computers and smartphones have led to an increase in social isolation. Young children are spending more time surfing the internet, playing games, and ignoring their real lives. Usage of technology is also resulting in job losses and distracting students from learning. Technology has been a reason for the production of weapons of destruction.

Dependency on technology is also increasing privacy concerns and cyber crimes, giving way to hackers.

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FAQs on Technology Essay

1. What is technology?

Technology refers to innovative ways of doing work through various smart means. The advancement of technology has played an important role in the development of human civilization. It has helped in improving the productivity of individuals and businesses.

2. How has technology changed the face of banking?

Technology has made banking operations very sophisticated. With the emergence of Internet banking, self-service tools have replaced the traditional methods of banking. You can now access your money, handle transactions, and monitor your bank statements anytime and from anywhere in the world. Technology has made banking more secure and safe.

3. How has technology brought a revolution in the medical field?

Patients and doctors keep each other up to date on the most recent medical discoveries, share treatment information, and offer each other support when dealing with medical issues. It has allowed much faster access to the medical records of each patient. Modern technology has allowed us to contact doctors from the comfort of our homes. There are many websites and mobile apps through which we can contact doctors and get medical help.

4. Are we dependent on technology?

Yes, today, we are becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Computers, smartphones, and modern technology have helped humanity achieve success and progress. However, in hindsight, people need to continuously build a healthy lifestyle, sorting out personal problems that arise due to technological advancements in different aspects of human life.

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Modern Technology: Definition, Examples, and Applications

Modern Technology

Modern technology changed a lot from what we saw in the last decade or the past century. New machines and gadgets are invented to make jobs easier like never before. From the little tailor machine to the fastest car in the world, all got automated reducing the manual labor required to the least. Modern technology schools made it easier for students to extract the possibilities of the latest tech inventions. Their impact is enormous in crafting perfect generation expertise in the current technology.

Table of Contents

What is Modern Technology?

Modern technology is the advancement of old technology with new additions and modifications . For example, it is impossible for people in this decade to live with a wired telephone placed on the table. So, the mobile phone which can be taken with us anywhere is the perfect example of technological advancement or simply, modern technology. Any machine or device we see around us is the product of modern technology. It made things way easier than we could ever imagine.

Modern technology has impacted every area of our lives and become a crucial factor in no time. We even reached a point where everything we use in our daily lives is directly or indirectly related to technological advancement of some form. So, modern technology cannot be avoided even if we intentionally want to.

What is Modern Technology

Check: These amazing new technology inventions

It is all about doing things in a much quicker, more efficient way by improving the workflow. Whether it could be helping humans or doing the task alone, machines are always better in terms of accuracy and efficiency. So, we are taking advantage of them to make our jobs easier. The realization that we can do a lot more stuff within minimal time, with less effort, paved the path to modern technology as we see it today.

Examples of Modern Technology

The latest modern technology examples include the 5G network which provides blazing fast internet to the users, self-driving cars, and reusable satellite launchers. But it is not limited to just these things. The technological progress we have made and the number of tools we have invented is beyond imagination. Here is a list of modern technology inventions that have made our lives easier and enhanced the easiness of performing operations in every industry. These are the examples of modern technology .

1. VR Headsets

VR Headsets

In this modernized tech world, the place of VR headsets is no longer hidden. The virtual world is directly taken in front of your eyes by just wearing a box-shaped headset. As you can see in the above image, the VR headsets are very convenient and easily available in the stores. Here is a funny video prank on a man who wore a VR headset, and a rollercoaster is taken in front of his eyes. Watching it will give you an exact idea about the power of VR headsets in tricking your eyes and mind.

2. Smartwatches

Smartwatches

Smartwatches are just a variation of regular watches but come with a bunch of features as your smartphone. You can make calls, text your friends, browse the internet, and even take photos sometimes. In the  contemporary tech world , smartwatches do stand a chance of increasing the productivity of users. Instead of taking out the smartphone each time to answer a call, or text a friend, it is way much easier to use your own watch. The Apple Watch Series 2 and Samsung Gear S3 are some best examples of smartwatches.

Robots

Robotics improved a lot in the last few years. Numerous new inventions arrived on the market in various forms and for various uses. The robots also widened the possibility of modern technology in education. They are being used to assist teachers, help students, clean blackboards, clean the classrooms, etc. in hi-tech countries like Japan. They also invented robots that answer to humans utilizing artificial intelligence . Look at the following video to get a better idea about how far we reached in robotics.

Bitcoin

While modern technology gadgets are discussed above, it is time for something different. Bitcoin might be the best choice when it comes to the digital tech world. Bitcoin is a virtual currency created by a person who is still not recognized completely. To understand the importance of Bitcoin, you have to hear the present-day rate of it. 1 Bitcoin = 25,778.40 US Dollars as of 10/09/2023. Once it reached even around $68000+. However, one of the major disadvantages of Bitcoin is the randomly changing value. The video given below will provide more information.

5. Self-Driving Cars

Self-Driving-Car

Self-driving cars are another great example of modern technology inventions. Companies like Tesla have been building self-driving cars for a while now and keep improving them on every new model. You don’t even have to put your hands on the wheel unless of an emergency. The cars will take you to any place marked on the map safely without you even worrying about the traffic. The advanced sensors placed on all sides can not only detect when the car is approaching danger, but can also predict the possible issues during the drive. More companies are adapting to self-driving cars and ditching their old technologies.

Also Check: The cars faster than a Bugatti

6. Cloud Technology

Cloud Computing

Cloud technology is growing rapidly. From hosting websites online to developing artificial intelligence, cloud technology is used everywhere. From traditional hosting technologies, cloud hosting/cloud computing is significantly different due to its extreme flexibility and expandable features. Cloud technology is being utilized in several areas of the industry such as factories, businesses, research organizations, government organizations, etc. to make their jobs easier. Cloud is the future.

7. AI Chatbots

ChatGPT Interface

Recently, a lot of AI chatbots have been released to the market. ChatGPT is among the most popular ones. We discussed more about it in detail in our article on the Advantages and Disadvantages of ChatGPT . Google’s own Bard is also waiting to be released to the public. What makes them groundbreaking is their ability to provide information in a conversational tone. It is just like chatting to another person. AI chatbots are definitely one of the latest examples of modern technology.

Advantages of Modern Technology

There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages of modern technology. However, it seems like, the advantages can hide the impact of the problems caused due to technological development. The advancement in modern automotive technology contributed a significant improvement to humankind and the earth itself just like in every other sector we can imagine.

Modern Technology Pros and Cons Advantages and Disadvantages

As we already discussed in the above sections, technology is something that we can’t avoid in our lives. If you are looking for the merits and demerits of modern technology, here are a few of them that are more oriented to modern technology than the overall tech. These points explain why we can’t live without technology. These are the advantages of modern technology .

  • Modern technology takes Innovation and Creativity to the next level.
  • It makes it much more convenient to learn and grab information.
  • Communications feature improved.
  • Increased efficiency of people to complete particular tasks.
  • Huge impact on the education industry.
  • Connected people together through social networking.
  • Transportation facilities boosted productivity.
  • The lifestyle became easier.
  • Improved diagnosis and curing equipment enhanced the health industry.
  • Entertainment gadgets improved to the extreme.
  • Improved the problem-solving ease.
  • Helped small businesses to grow faster.
  • Numerous pieces of equipment got lower prices with new technologies.

Disadvantages of Modern Technology

Modern technology has some disadvantages too. Like anything in the world which has a good side and a bad, modern technology also has the same. As you may have already guessed, the demerits aren’t any less. These are the disadvantages of modern technology .

  • Modern technology creates job insecurity due to the excessive use of robots and machines.
  • It increased competition in every field due to the usage of automation.
  • Affected social life by keeping people attached to tech gadgets.
  • Creation of harmful weapons and machinery.
  • Increased pollution of air, water, and soil.
  • Cybercrimes increased, and almost anything is destructible by brilliant hackers.
  • Modern technology can create health complications like obesity due to addiction to devices such as smartphones or tablets.
  • It can be a huge waste of time due to addiction to modern gadgets.
  • It can cause distractions from studies and other natural activities.
  • Modern technology can affect the creativity of people because of the easiness of doing things using technology.

Find: Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology

Applications of Modern Technology

As we know, technology isn’t dedicated to a single sector but is spread across multiple areas including Education, Business, Medicine, etc. Now, let’s see how modern technology has improved these sectors from what it used to be in the past. These are the applications of modern technology in different sectors.

1. Modern Technology in Education

Modern Tech in Education

We already spoke about how modern technology helps education in-depth. Let’s mention a few obvious benefits to give you a short reminder. You can receive instant notifications, weekly schedules, lectures, practice tests, educational games, or presentations on your smartphone, computer, or even a smartwatch. Then, you can use text, audio, and video to communicate back and forth with other students and professors. Furthermore, modern technology allows you to never step foot in a brick-and-mortar school again. You can earn your credits online and receive your diploma via mail.

The environment benefits simultaneously. Professors and authors no longer need to print thousands of books to spread knowledge. A small electronic file, a low-spec computer, and a low-cost projector in person, or screen sharing through the Internet can help educate a large group of students for cheap. The reduced cost of operation also benefits the pupils. Many schools and universities use the money to provide scholarships and purchase equipment for impoverished students. That way, everyone has an equal opportunity to learn. Purdue University has a great article on the effect of technology on education .

2. Modern Technology in Business

Modern Technology in Business

Remember long commutes, shared offices filled with cramped cubicles, and long car/airplane rides just to close a business deal, do market research or handle bureaucracy? Modern technology has provided an alternative for all of those and more. You can do many of the jobs from home , removing transportation costs and huge time waste. If the job requires you to go outside, you can receive instructions on your smartphone or smartwatch. You can use the same device to do research, communicate with the business partners, and in some cases, handle the entire business.

The ability to communicate, delegate, analyze, and determine things remotely improves efficiency, productivity, and chances of success . Plus, every such device has a built-in GPS and an Internet connection. This helps human resources, marketing, production, and management departments evaluate progress, get real-time feedback, and ensure everyone is doing their part correctly.

In turn, this positively affects workers ‘ attitudes, interactions, and satisfaction, and improves their safety. Speaking about safety and security, you can’t help but think of the difference some of the technological advancements have made. Think of encryption, Information Technology, storage space, remote access, high-quality cameras, motion sensors, fingerprint sensors, VPNs , and other safeguards.

Perhaps the biggest advantage modern technology has brought to business is globalization . A tiny company can compete with an industry giant and reach a market across the globe. This affects multiple things positively. It improves competition and allows companies to find remote sources for raw materials, workforce, knowledge, improvements, and opportunities. Best of all, the company doesn’t need to have a physical store. Thanks to modern technology, and e-commerce popularity, more types of businesses are making a shift to cut operating costs.

3. Modern Technology in Medicine

Modern Tech in Medicine

Let’s begin with disease research and the accelerated spreading of information in the event of a pandemic. It has shown us that there’s an alternative to doing real-life tests risking money and health, and wasting time. Instead, various things can be repeatedly simulated, observed, and drawn conclusions from thanks to powerful GPUs and CPUs . And, thanks to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), doctors can run tests and practice in a computer-generated environment without a huge financial toll. They also won’t have to risk human life or be afraid of making a mistake.

Generating a realistic 3D model also saves time, allows for indefinite tests and tweaks, and can reduce manufacturing costs. Think of artificial limbs, joints, and even skin. Some are so advanced that they respond to brain signals and might start to imitate nerve ends. Modern technology also helps people with a loss of one or more senses. Instead of being shunned, powerless, and relying on others, they can now communicate and educate themselves. Most importantly, they can live a long, comfortable, and productive life.

The patient files used to get lost, altered at the doctor’s discretion, and even falsified. Now, because there are multiple backups, they are both impervious to damage, and the history of edits is clearly visible. On the other hand, anyone with the right credentials can access them at a moment’s notice, even halfway across the globe.

Doctors can also use a vast, constantly updated database of knowledge. This allows them to learn about the newest developments and choose the right treatment. If needed, they can consult with other professionals, regardless of distance or time zone. Modern machines can also monitor vital functions , send real-time feedback, and even suggest treatment, administer medicine, or automate processes such as 24/7 life support or hospice care. Pharmaceutical technology is also a great advancement in the field of medical technology.

4. Modern Technology in Agriculture

Modern Technology in Agriculture

Agriculture has been there since the development of humankind as a species has started. From the time people started realizing that they could grow food in the soil, they have been trying things. Different crops, seeds, cultivation methods, and finally, incorporating technology to make everything easier. Instead of manually plowing acres of land with the limited power of a human, a tractor can make it easier like never before. The results from hundreds of human hours can be achieved within a few hours on a tractor.

It is just an example of how modern technology has enhanced the production of food and the effectiveness of agriculture. From the cultivation of the seeds to storing them under appropriate conditions, everything is done using precise measurements and knowledge achieved from in-depth research conducted with the help of technology. Controlling pests and making the food items grow faster, saving a ton of time; made everything much more effective.

Scientists are even producing hybrids of plans adapting the good factors of different species, resulting in a much better form. Not talking about the budding and crafting we all learned in the schools. But there is much more going on. None of these would be possible if we didn’t have the help of highly capable computers and tons of technological resources around us. So, modern technology definitely has a huge impact on agriculture .

Influence of Modern Technology on our Society

Modern Technology Influence on Society

Modern technology has a huge influence on our society. It influences the way we communicate, travel, learn, think, and even live in general. Modern technology cannot be ignored in this era. We depend on it almost every day. From the time we wake up to the time we go to bed, almost all of our daily activities are based on some kind of technology. The alarm we set to wake up to the light we turn off to get some rest, everything is made with the help of technology.

Modern technology makes everything much easier. We do not have to travel 1000 kilometers to talk with someone. All we have to do is take our cell phone and make a phone call to them. So, the impact of modern technology on our society and its behavior is beyond imagination. We may conclude by saying that it is almost impossible for anyone to live without depending on some kind of technology in their daily life.

The Future of Modern Technology

Modern Technology Definition

Technology is being modernized each and every day. So, there is no doubt that it will keep improving day-by-day limitlessly. As new tech machines and gadgets are invented to boost the current productivity of the tech inventions, the procedures will get accelerated to a great extent. In other words, different types of technology can be utilized to create new technologies effectively and efficiently. The upcoming years will be of traveling to the outer planets and creating a better world with the help of robots.

All other contemporary tech stuff will keep improving, and the level of improvement is beyond predictions. And yes, smartphones, tablets, and laptops will all improve a lot in the coming years, and we may soon be able to enjoy the on-air control of devices as we saw in numerous Hollywood movies. The only thing scientists and thinkers should take care of is to protect the dangerous inventions from reaching the wrong hands. Nuclear fission was put forward by Albert Einstein with good intentions, but it is being used to destroy humanity. So, let’s hope for the best.

Now you know everything about modern technology, its advantages, disadvantages as well as other things described above. You can use this information for your modern technology essay or any articles related to it. The only thing we have to conclude is that we can’t live without technology, especially “modern technology.”

These are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding modern technology.

Modern technology improves the quality of life in a lot of ways. Modern technology provides us with opportunities that are impossible without it. For example, can you imagine a life without access to communication or transportation that is possible with today’s technology?

In a way, yes. Modern technology does have an impact on the childhood of our children. The limitless usage of tech devices such as smartphones, could potentially result in health and mental issues. But, like anything else, when controlled properly, modern technology can be used safely.

With our current technology, we have already built skyscrapers and buildings such as the Burj Khalifa that were impossible years ago. However, we may still be far off from building something like the Great Pyramid because of the sheer amount of man and machine power that would be required.

Modern technology is making us more connected via the internet and communication mediums. However, it results in social isolation and limits our physical interactions. We should find a balance between social and virtual life.

Modern technology has both positive and negative environmental effects. While it helps us to grow crops faster and better, it also results in faster destruction of our natural resources.

It is transforming the workplace through automation, remote work options, digital collaboration tools, and the demand for digital skills. This creates a lot more job opportunities and helps us develop things much faster than we used to.

Artificial intelligence plays a big role in today’s technology. The ability of a machine to examine, understand, and comprehend data to perform tasks based on it, is an amazing ability to possess. When used correctly, there is an unlimited potential for AI in this modern technical era.

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Politics and privacy, private-sector influence and big tech, state competition and conflict, author biography, how is technology changing the world, and how should the world change technology.

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Josephine Wolff; How Is Technology Changing the World, and How Should the World Change Technology?. Global Perspectives 1 February 2021; 2 (1): 27353. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/gp.2021.27353

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Technologies are becoming increasingly complicated and increasingly interconnected. Cars, airplanes, medical devices, financial transactions, and electricity systems all rely on more computer software than they ever have before, making them seem both harder to understand and, in some cases, harder to control. Government and corporate surveillance of individuals and information processing relies largely on digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and therefore involves less human-to-human contact than ever before and more opportunities for biases to be embedded and codified in our technological systems in ways we may not even be able to identify or recognize. Bioengineering advances are opening up new terrain for challenging philosophical, political, and economic questions regarding human-natural relations. Additionally, the management of these large and small devices and systems is increasingly done through the cloud, so that control over them is both very remote and removed from direct human or social control. The study of how to make technologies like artificial intelligence or the Internet of Things “explainable” has become its own area of research because it is so difficult to understand how they work or what is at fault when something goes wrong (Gunning and Aha 2019) .

This growing complexity makes it more difficult than ever—and more imperative than ever—for scholars to probe how technological advancements are altering life around the world in both positive and negative ways and what social, political, and legal tools are needed to help shape the development and design of technology in beneficial directions. This can seem like an impossible task in light of the rapid pace of technological change and the sense that its continued advancement is inevitable, but many countries around the world are only just beginning to take significant steps toward regulating computer technologies and are still in the process of radically rethinking the rules governing global data flows and exchange of technology across borders.

These are exciting times not just for technological development but also for technology policy—our technologies may be more advanced and complicated than ever but so, too, are our understandings of how they can best be leveraged, protected, and even constrained. The structures of technological systems as determined largely by government and institutional policies and those structures have tremendous implications for social organization and agency, ranging from open source, open systems that are highly distributed and decentralized, to those that are tightly controlled and closed, structured according to stricter and more hierarchical models. And just as our understanding of the governance of technology is developing in new and interesting ways, so, too, is our understanding of the social, cultural, environmental, and political dimensions of emerging technologies. We are realizing both the challenges and the importance of mapping out the full range of ways that technology is changing our society, what we want those changes to look like, and what tools we have to try to influence and guide those shifts.

Technology can be a source of tremendous optimism. It can help overcome some of the greatest challenges our society faces, including climate change, famine, and disease. For those who believe in the power of innovation and the promise of creative destruction to advance economic development and lead to better quality of life, technology is a vital economic driver (Schumpeter 1942) . But it can also be a tool of tremendous fear and oppression, embedding biases in automated decision-making processes and information-processing algorithms, exacerbating economic and social inequalities within and between countries to a staggering degree, or creating new weapons and avenues for attack unlike any we have had to face in the past. Scholars have even contended that the emergence of the term technology in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries marked a shift from viewing individual pieces of machinery as a means to achieving political and social progress to the more dangerous, or hazardous, view that larger-scale, more complex technological systems were a semiautonomous form of progress in and of themselves (Marx 2010) . More recently, technologists have sharply criticized what they view as a wave of new Luddites, people intent on slowing the development of technology and turning back the clock on innovation as a means of mitigating the societal impacts of technological change (Marlowe 1970) .

At the heart of fights over new technologies and their resulting global changes are often two conflicting visions of technology: a fundamentally optimistic one that believes humans use it as a tool to achieve greater goals, and a fundamentally pessimistic one that holds that technological systems have reached a point beyond our control. Technology philosophers have argued that neither of these views is wholly accurate and that a purely optimistic or pessimistic view of technology is insufficient to capture the nuances and complexity of our relationship to technology (Oberdiek and Tiles 1995) . Understanding technology and how we can make better decisions about designing, deploying, and refining it requires capturing that nuance and complexity through in-depth analysis of the impacts of different technological advancements and the ways they have played out in all their complicated and controversial messiness across the world.

These impacts are often unpredictable as technologies are adopted in new contexts and come to be used in ways that sometimes diverge significantly from the use cases envisioned by their designers. The internet, designed to help transmit information between computer networks, became a crucial vehicle for commerce, introducing unexpected avenues for crime and financial fraud. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, designed to connect friends and families through sharing photographs and life updates, became focal points of election controversies and political influence. Cryptocurrencies, originally intended as a means of decentralized digital cash, have become a significant environmental hazard as more and more computing resources are devoted to mining these forms of virtual money. One of the crucial challenges in this area is therefore recognizing, documenting, and even anticipating some of these unexpected consequences and providing mechanisms to technologists for how to think through the impacts of their work, as well as possible other paths to different outcomes (Verbeek 2006) . And just as technological innovations can cause unexpected harm, they can also bring about extraordinary benefits—new vaccines and medicines to address global pandemics and save thousands of lives, new sources of energy that can drastically reduce emissions and help combat climate change, new modes of education that can reach people who would otherwise have no access to schooling. Regulating technology therefore requires a careful balance of mitigating risks without overly restricting potentially beneficial innovations.

Nations around the world have taken very different approaches to governing emerging technologies and have adopted a range of different technologies themselves in pursuit of more modern governance structures and processes (Braman 2009) . In Europe, the precautionary principle has guided much more anticipatory regulation aimed at addressing the risks presented by technologies even before they are fully realized. For instance, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation focuses on the responsibilities of data controllers and processors to provide individuals with access to their data and information about how that data is being used not just as a means of addressing existing security and privacy threats, such as data breaches, but also to protect against future developments and uses of that data for artificial intelligence and automated decision-making purposes. In Germany, Technische Überwachungsvereine, or TÜVs, perform regular tests and inspections of technological systems to assess and minimize risks over time, as the tech landscape evolves. In the United States, by contrast, there is much greater reliance on litigation and liability regimes to address safety and security failings after-the-fact. These different approaches reflect not just the different legal and regulatory mechanisms and philosophies of different nations but also the different ways those nations prioritize rapid development of the technology industry versus safety, security, and individual control. Typically, governance innovations move much more slowly than technological innovations, and regulations can lag years, or even decades, behind the technologies they aim to govern.

In addition to this varied set of national regulatory approaches, a variety of international and nongovernmental organizations also contribute to the process of developing standards, rules, and norms for new technologies, including the International Organization for Standardization­ and the International Telecommunication Union. These multilateral and NGO actors play an especially important role in trying to define appropriate boundaries for the use of new technologies by governments as instruments of control for the state.

At the same time that policymakers are under scrutiny both for their decisions about how to regulate technology as well as their decisions about how and when to adopt technologies like facial recognition themselves, technology firms and designers have also come under increasing criticism. Growing recognition that the design of technologies can have far-reaching social and political implications means that there is more pressure on technologists to take into consideration the consequences of their decisions early on in the design process (Vincenti 1993; Winner 1980) . The question of how technologists should incorporate these social dimensions into their design and development processes is an old one, and debate on these issues dates back to the 1970s, but it remains an urgent and often overlooked part of the puzzle because so many of the supposedly systematic mechanisms for assessing the impacts of new technologies in both the private and public sectors are primarily bureaucratic, symbolic processes rather than carrying any real weight or influence.

Technologists are often ill-equipped or unwilling to respond to the sorts of social problems that their creations have—often unwittingly—exacerbated, and instead point to governments and lawmakers to address those problems (Zuckerberg 2019) . But governments often have few incentives to engage in this area. This is because setting clear standards and rules for an ever-evolving technological landscape can be extremely challenging, because enforcement of those rules can be a significant undertaking requiring considerable expertise, and because the tech sector is a major source of jobs and revenue for many countries that may fear losing those benefits if they constrain companies too much. This indicates not just a need for clearer incentives and better policies for both private- and public-sector entities but also a need for new mechanisms whereby the technology development and design process can be influenced and assessed by people with a wider range of experiences and expertise. If we want technologies to be designed with an eye to their impacts, who is responsible for predicting, measuring, and mitigating those impacts throughout the design process? Involving policymakers in that process in a more meaningful way will also require training them to have the analytic and technical capacity to more fully engage with technologists and understand more fully the implications of their decisions.

At the same time that tech companies seem unwilling or unable to rein in their creations, many also fear they wield too much power, in some cases all but replacing governments and international organizations in their ability to make decisions that affect millions of people worldwide and control access to information, platforms, and audiences (Kilovaty 2020) . Regulators around the world have begun considering whether some of these companies have become so powerful that they violate the tenets of antitrust laws, but it can be difficult for governments to identify exactly what those violations are, especially in the context of an industry where the largest players often provide their customers with free services. And the platforms and services developed by tech companies are often wielded most powerfully and dangerously not directly by their private-sector creators and operators but instead by states themselves for widespread misinformation campaigns that serve political purposes (Nye 2018) .

Since the largest private entities in the tech sector operate in many countries, they are often better poised to implement global changes to the technological ecosystem than individual states or regulatory bodies, creating new challenges to existing governance structures and hierarchies. Just as it can be challenging to provide oversight for government use of technologies, so, too, oversight of the biggest tech companies, which have more resources, reach, and power than many nations, can prove to be a daunting task. The rise of network forms of organization and the growing gig economy have added to these challenges, making it even harder for regulators to fully address the breadth of these companies’ operations (Powell 1990) . The private-public partnerships that have emerged around energy, transportation, medical, and cyber technologies further complicate this picture, blurring the line between the public and private sectors and raising critical questions about the role of each in providing critical infrastructure, health care, and security. How can and should private tech companies operating in these different sectors be governed, and what types of influence do they exert over regulators? How feasible are different policy proposals aimed at technological innovation, and what potential unintended consequences might they have?

Conflict between countries has also spilled over significantly into the private sector in recent years, most notably in the case of tensions between the United States and China over which technologies developed in each country will be permitted by the other and which will be purchased by other customers, outside those two countries. Countries competing to develop the best technology is not a new phenomenon, but the current conflicts have major international ramifications and will influence the infrastructure that is installed and used around the world for years to come. Untangling the different factors that feed into these tussles as well as whom they benefit and whom they leave at a disadvantage is crucial for understanding how governments can most effectively foster technological innovation and invention domestically as well as the global consequences of those efforts. As much of the world is forced to choose between buying technology from the United States or from China, how should we understand the long-term impacts of those choices and the options available to people in countries without robust domestic tech industries? Does the global spread of technologies help fuel further innovation in countries with smaller tech markets, or does it reinforce the dominance of the states that are already most prominent in this sector? How can research universities maintain global collaborations and research communities in light of these national competitions, and what role does government research and development spending play in fostering innovation within its own borders and worldwide? How should intellectual property protections evolve to meet the demands of the technology industry, and how can those protections be enforced globally?

These conflicts between countries sometimes appear to challenge the feasibility of truly global technologies and networks that operate across all countries through standardized protocols and design features. Organizations like the International Organization for Standardization, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and many others have tried to harmonize these policies and protocols across different countries for years, but have met with limited success when it comes to resolving the issues of greatest tension and disagreement among nations. For technology to operate in a global environment, there is a need for a much greater degree of coordination among countries and the development of common standards and norms, but governments continue to struggle to agree not just on those norms themselves but even the appropriate venue and processes for developing them. Without greater global cooperation, is it possible to maintain a global network like the internet or to promote the spread of new technologies around the world to address challenges of sustainability? What might help incentivize that cooperation moving forward, and what could new structures and process for governance of global technologies look like? Why has the tech industry’s self-regulation culture persisted? Do the same traditional drivers for public policy, such as politics of harmonization and path dependency in policy-making, still sufficiently explain policy outcomes in this space? As new technologies and their applications spread across the globe in uneven ways, how and when do they create forces of change from unexpected places?

These are some of the questions that we hope to address in the Technology and Global Change section through articles that tackle new dimensions of the global landscape of designing, developing, deploying, and assessing new technologies to address major challenges the world faces. Understanding these processes requires synthesizing knowledge from a range of different fields, including sociology, political science, economics, and history, as well as technical fields such as engineering, climate science, and computer science. A crucial part of understanding how technology has created global change and, in turn, how global changes have influenced the development of new technologies is understanding the technologies themselves in all their richness and complexity—how they work, the limits of what they can do, what they were designed to do, how they are actually used. Just as technologies themselves are becoming more complicated, so are their embeddings and relationships to the larger social, political, and legal contexts in which they exist. Scholars across all disciplines are encouraged to join us in untangling those complexities.

Josephine Wolff is an associate professor of cybersecurity policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Her book You’ll See This Message When It Is Too Late: The Legal and Economic Aftermath of Cybersecurity Breaches was published by MIT Press in 2018.

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How To Write An Ielts Essay On Modern Technology?

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Updated on 02 February, 2024

Mrinal Mandal

Mrinal Mandal

Study abroad expert.

Mrinal Mandal

An IELTS essay is structured like all other essays - introduction, body, and conclusion. Task 2 or the essay writing test of the IELTS writing section needs to be completed within 40 minutes, and the minimum word count is 250 words. The questions around general interest topics are mostly repeated by changing the question pattern and wording. Essays on modern technology have been frequently included as a part of task 2 over the years. 

Success in IELTS task 2 is purely based on technique and practice. These tips and samples of   IELTS essays on modern technology   will help aspirants prepare for the writing task.

Table of Contents

  • Modern technology is a Gift of God. Discuss the Advantages and disadvantages.

Download E-Books for IELTS Preparation

Modern technologies have boosted the agricultural sector. give your opinion., tips to write a winning essay, popular study abroad destinations, essay on modern technology: sample 1, modern technology is a gift of god. discuss the advantages and disadvantages. .

It was not very long ago when we had to actually pull out a large folded map to get directions while traveling. Nowadays, we click on Google Maps or ask Siri and we can access the entire map on our devices. The modern generation is quite technical and we can access any information with ease. Now, we like everything to be 'quick'. The days of searching for a book in the library are gone. The world is at our fingertips with the help of smartphones, the internet, technology, and various smart devices. Throughout the day, we use technologies to accomplish our daily tasks and assist in our routine activities.

However, it is disheartening that modern technology has changed the way societies were tied to each other. Bonds were emotional and genuine, cultural aspects were there, and humans were more physically active. These shiny pieces of tech do have some drawbacks. Let us take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of modern technology. 

Modern technologies have helped us stay connected with people from all across the world. We have taken to technology like fish to water and it has become very difficult to survive without it. 

How many lives have been saved so far with the help of modern medical technologies? Well, the numbers are uncountable. Modern equipment, technology, and better healthcare facilities have helped humans defeat chronic and acute health crises. 

Secondly, satellite communications continuously broadcast data around the globe to our computers and handheld devices. We get to watch our favorite shows, movies, news; know the weather conditions, forthcoming disasters, and even trade-in stock markets. 

Thirdly, the education system has improved. It is due to modern technology that the students were able to study from home during the pandemic. Modern technologies have helped mankind with a better standard of living. Innovative technologies for household chores and modern facilities have made a significant contribution towards better living conditions. At times, it seems like a gift of god for the betterment of mankind. But it has its drawbacks too.

Ours is a technology-dominated society. Even the simplest of things are done with the help of a machine or devices. Eventually, everything seems artificial. Below are some of the threats that individuals need to be careful of. 

Simply put, even the things that need little effort are now being done with the help of technology. We prefer to read on a light-emitting device and instead of books. We prefer to drive instead of walking a mile. Our social skills are also getting compromised as we believe in communication through online modes. Gone are the days when we used to understand non-verbal cues more than the texts.

What impact does it have on our minds? Will technologies like AI and ML replace manpower in the coming years? Maybe! Without realizing the extent of dependency and the cons associated with it, we are blindly adopting modern tech to make life easier. It makes everything virtual and impairs the power of real human interaction. We tend to find more value in communication through a device rather than face-to-face interaction. 

By making things easier, modern technologies have also invited a lot of crimes. Modern technologies open more opportunities for crime. Smart devices and technological advancements are being used in negative ways too. Many illegal activities are carried out online through social media platforms, targeting the young generation.

Technological dependency has made the lifestyle sluggish and costly too. Our standard of living is getting higher and higher with more expensive technologies coming into our day-to-day lives. Hence, we end up taking the massive burden to get more materialistic happiness. 

Technology is changing the way we used to live. The famous saying 'technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master' needs to be implemented in our lives. Nowadays, it is apparent that we are not controlling our smart devices, but our devices are controlling us. Modern technologies have both advantages and disadvantages to offer to mankind, it depends upon how sensibly we embrace them.

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IELTS Essay on Modern Technology: Sample 2

Agriculture & Food Production is one domain which has been in dire need of innovation and technological advancement. Climatic change, low awareness among farmers, natural hazards, resource depletion, floods, and opaque supply chains have led to low productivity and profitability in farming. Modern technologies have developed a digital agricultural presence, where the high yield makes the country self-sustaining. Modern technologies like artificial intelligence, GIS Software, big data, applications, sensors, and cloud computing have boosted agricultural productivity. In my opinion, the incorporation of modern technologies has been a blessing to the agricultural sector. 

Modern technologies in precision agriculture have been developing new ways of managing farms, treatment of crops, and food systems. Digital presence has made agriculture profitable, safe, and effective. Modern farms get significant benefits from digital agriculture. Let us check some of the ways modern technologies have helped agriculture. 

Firstly, GIS Software or Geographic Information System is a digital technology that helps the farmers stay alert about the changes that are taking place in the farms like plant health, crop yield, changes in moisture, and temperature. The GPS integrated software applications enable pesticide optimization and fertilizer control so that the farmers can treat a specific affected area and not the entire farm. This helps in the conservation of time, manpower, and capital.

Secondly, drones offer data from the sky. It takes images of the large farmlands with high precision. Several conditions like crop height, mass cultivation, soil erosion, waterlogging, and level of precipitation can be traced. These drones help the farmers monitor each part of the land effectively. Within a short time frame, drones can offer every information and data about a large farm. Various hazards are prevented and decision-making has become easier with the application of drones in farming. 

Thirdly, mobile applications have kept the entire agricultural supply chain transparent and in proper coordination. Through these mobile applications, retailers, farmers, sellers, and suppliers can communicate with one another and receive all the latest updates and insights. Mobile applications help in decision-making and awareness increase, which results in productivity, transparency, and profitability. 

Fourthly, agriculture has incorporated Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning to produce healthy crops, organize data for farmers, control pests, workload management, and decision-making throughout the agricultural supply chain. Data is important. AI and ML process the unstructured data into a useful insight that can be used to make better decisions regarding the productivity of agriculture. Artificial Intelligence makes the farmers aware of the weather forecasting so that they sow and reap the crops accordingly to reap maximum yield. 

Simply put, modern technologies are not only automating the entire agricultural sector but also enabling precise cultivation with high productivity and sustainability. The concerns of labor, resource depletion, soil health, data, and opaque supply chain in agriculture are slowly being eradicated with modern technology.

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  • The minimum word limit for  writing task 2 is 250 words. If test takers submit an essay below 250 words, they will lose marks. 
  • The time limit is 40 minutes for task 2 essay writing. Plan your essay, so that you complete it within the time given. 
  • Practice common topics like art, crime, education, modern technology, historical sites, social problems, public smoking, and many others. 
  • There are various types of essays that are asked in task 2. Practice all the types of essays. Some of the common ones are opinion-based essays, advantage and disadvantage essays, problem-solution essays, and agree-disagree essays.
  • Learn vocabulary relevant to topics. You need a rich vocabulary to come up with good ideas and avoid repetition of words. 
  • Understand how task 2 is evaluated. The important criteria are lexical resources, vocabulary, grammar, and coherence. Focus on all the aspects. 
  • If you are writing an opinion essay, you need to give your opinion after you discuss both sides (agreeing and disagreeing). Stick to the same opinion from introduction to conclusion.
  • For an advantage and disadvantage essay, you need to write an introduction, then two paragraphs on the advantages and disadvantages of the issue, followed by your opinion and a conclusion. Give equal weight to both advantage and disadvantage. One side should not be outweighed unless the question demands. 
  • The introduction should have an outline or overview of some of the most important features and facts about the topic. 
  • Organize your essay in short paragraphs. This increases the readability of the essay. 
  • Proofread your essay to scan minor and major mistakes.

Practicing essay samples are helpful for IELTS task 2 preparation. Writing task 2 contributes to 66% of the total writing score. It is important to learn and practice the right writing skills. For more information related to task 2 essay on modern technology or other topics, get in touch with the experts of  upGrad Abroad .

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Home / Essay Samples / Information Science and Technology / Modern Technology

Modern Technology Essay Examples

Life without computers: a glimpse into a simpler college experience.

Imagine a time when computers were absent from the college scene, and every academic pursuit required a touch of the analog. This essay offers a nostalgic journey back to a college life without computers, where handwritten notes, manual research, and face-to-face interactions dominated the learning...

The Transformative Impact of the Internet on Our Lives

The emergence of the internet has catalyzed a revolution that has permeated every corner of society, reshaping the way we perceive and engage with the world. This essay delves into the profound impact of the internet on our daily lives, highlighting its influence on communication,...

Modern Technology Improves Quality of Life

Modern technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, revolutionizing the way we communicate, work, and live. From smartphones to artificial intelligence, technology has greatly improved the quality of life for individuals and societies as a whole. This essay will explore the various...

Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Pros and Cons

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force that is reshaping industries, enhancing efficiency, and challenging our notions of human capabilities. This essay delves into the myriad benefits and potential drawbacks of AI, discussing its positive impact on automation, healthcare, and data analysis, as...

Jeroen Van Den Hoven: Nanotechnology and Privacy

Jeroen van den Hoven is a prominent philosopher and ethicist known for his work on the ethical implications of emerging technologies, including nanotechnology. In particular, he has explored the complex relationship between nanotechnology and privacy, raising thought-provoking questions about the potential threats and safeguards associated...

Nanotechnology and Its Remediation

Nanotechnology is a rapidly advancing field that involves manipulating matter at the nanoscale level, typically within the range of 1 to 100 nanometers. At this size, materials exhibit unique properties and behaviors that can be harnessed for various applications. This essay explores the fascinating world...

Exploring Nanotechnology as a Promising Career Path

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing and interdisciplinary field that offers exciting career opportunities for individuals interested in cutting-edge research and innovation. This essay explores the potential of nanotechnology as a career choice, the skills required, and the diverse applications of nanotechnology in various industries. Embarking...

How Do We Communicate and Why It's Getting Weird

Instead of going out and spending quality time with friends or family, people nowadays just communicate through texting and calling over the phone. When people did not have phones, they use to walk or drive somewhere and meet up just to have a face-to-face conversation....

The Way Artificial Intelligence Will Change the World

What is Artificial Intelligence and how it is changing the world? In AI will change the world by essay I want to share how beneficial Artificial Intelligence is for nowadays world. Artificial intelligence as the name suggests that creating intelligence artificially. Artificial intelligence is a...

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Customer Service

Can the use of artificial intelligence lead to improved customer loyalty in customer service? In customer service essay we will try to find answer. It has been proven that a functioning customer service is more responsible than ever before that a customer feels bound to...

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  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Google Glass
  • Cloud Computing
  • 3D Printing
  • Text Messaging
  • Crowdsourcing
  • Nanotechnology
  • Digital Devices
  • Computer Science
  • Impact of Technology

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