Technology is about people using knowledge creatively to organize tasks involving people and machines that meet sustainable goals. It is a broad term that encompasses many technologies, such as building materials, regenerative medicine, agricultural and environmental practices, as well as the information and communication technologies that underpin them.
Technology has evolved throughout human history. From stone tools to a modern car, technology has made significant contributions to humanity’s quality of life. The future of work is being shaped by the technological shifts we are seeing today. Digitization is converting huge amounts of economic and social data into machine readable formats, and artificial intelligence is making humans more productive and efficient in a wide range of contexts. Robotics are changing the way we work by taking on a growing number of tasks that previously could only be executed by humans.
The word technology can also refer to the processes and tools used in instruction and learning. This can include anything from systematically designing a class session to editing a podcast or using a white board. It can also include non-physical tools, such as books (both paper and electronic), musical instruments, 3-D models, mathematical formulae, statistical notation, and computer software. It can even include pens, pencils and sticky notes.
When most people talk about technology, they think about gadgets – mobile phones, the internet, computers, big TVs and HiFi’s, cars and robotic grass cutters etc. However, in a business or enterprise world, technology can also refer to much more complex and valuable applications of science and engineering – including things such as enterprise software, cloud services, network infrastructure, IT security, and game-changing technologies such as AI, IoT and VR.
Technological innovations have created global change and will continue to do so in the future. These changes will have far-reaching impacts on our lives and societies. The challenge is to understand these global changes and the implications of new technologies, while still managing to live our daily lives.
As technology evolves, it must prioritize certain paths to ends and neglect others. For example, as digital cameras and associated behaviors proliferated, analogue photography pathways were deprioritized and ultimately became obsolete. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the analog pathway was inferior or bad, it simply meant that it was displaced by digital alternatives.
Technology has become the cornerstone of our global economy. It is a critical component of every aspect of our day-to-day life, from the food we eat to the electricity that powers our homes and offices. It is the reason we can communicate with friends in distant cities, travel to foreign countries and access the vast resources of the internet.
Technology has also changed the way we manage our businesses. The use of digital technology has allowed companies to streamline operations, increase efficiency and reduce costs by reducing the amount of paperwork required, while ensuring compliance and security. At Buchanan, we help our clients use technology to create a better workplace for their employees and achieve their business goals.