Technology is about using knowledge creatively to organize tasks involving people and machines in ways that meet sustainable goals. Behind the often-remarkable technological discoveries and achievements lie human curiosity and foresight. It is important to realise that technology – like language, culture, values, commerce, and the arts – is an intrinsic part of the social system and both shapes and is shaped by it.
In the past, changes in agricultural technology revolutionised the food supply and increased productivity; advances in sanitation and preventive medicine changed the way disease is controlled; bows and arrows gave rise to gunpowder and eventually nuclear weapons; computers have completely transformed how we work, communicate and play. But perhaps the most fundamental change that technology has brought is in our concept of what it is to be human.
The ability to use a wide variety of technologies enables us to live much more fulfilled lives than would otherwise be possible. We can shop from our homes, have meals delivered to us, and communicate with friends in far-flung places with the click of a button. In the workplace, we can track project progress with real-time data, and have access to a global network of experts and resources. Technology also helps us work more efficiently and increase our productivity. From bots that send reminders about overdue tasks, to platforms that offer a visual overview of a team’s progress, there are countless tools available.