This session started with a quote from George Bernard Shaw, which I thought was insightful in highlighting the importance of changing our mindsets from one that only sees and questions things that are already in existence to one that recognises potential possibilities and act upon them. This is extremely relatable to the topic of concern today on "Emerging and Future Technologies" since new innovations can only be brought about when people are able to think in the direction of the future and are willing to challenge the impossible to create new discoveries. While many pursue wisdom in a knowledge-based economy, I agree with Einstein's quote that forward thinking is made possible with the help of a vivid imagination rather than the knowledge that we possess, since it allows us to extend beyond the realm of what he/she already knows to explore new grounds. In this way, we are able to innovate continuously and contribute to sustainable and higher quality living instead of limiting ourselves to current developments.
During the session, we were also introduced to claytronics, which is an abstract future concept that combines nanoscale robotics and computer science to create individual nanometer-scale computers called claytronic atoms that can interact with each other to form tangible 3D objects that a user can interact with. Often referred to as programmable matter, claytronics can be used for any purpose ranging from modelling to designing new structures, to changing the way we interact with each other. While this emerging technology is still undergoing research, I feel that it carries a great potential in bringing about a positive impact to many facets of our lives that include telecommunication, human-computer interfaces and entertainment. Another interesting video that we watched in class was on plastic electronics. This futuristic technology manages the problem of fragility, with benefits that include it being lightweight, flexible, convenient and have a lower cost of production that in turn translates to lower prices for consumers. As a result, communities in less developed countries are also able to afford these plastic electronics (eg. the possibility of a plastic iPad), enabling everyone around the globe to have access to the Internet, improving connectivity around the world. This also addresses an essential problem of inequity between developed and less developed nations, allowing the poor to enjoy the same benefits as the rest, eliminating feelings of unfairness and discrimination.
The discussion on the drivers of emerging and future technologies was especially insightful because it opened me up to the different motivations driving Man's desire to invest in new ventures, even when the possibility of success is uncertain. Listed below are some of these reasons.
1. Unmet market opportunity: Unmet market opportunities are things that we need but are not achieved such as a flu vaccine, which can serve to drive emerging and future technologies as means to satisfy the demands of consumers.
2. Growing body of scientific and technological know-how: The accumulation of knowledge equips us with the sufficient technology and information needed to address the problems that man might face by creating fertile grounds to develop technologies that were previously inconceivable. Often, these technologies can generate needs that consumers did not know they have.
3. Supply-induced demand: This happens when people do not realise that they desire or need these technologies until the good is produced.
4. Mass media and advertisement: Aggressive advertising can lead to increased peer pressure, which drives the need to possess the technology.
5. Confluence of the 4 "smarts": The convergence of smart money, smart people, smart ideas and smart alliances/partnership provide the fertile ground for the development of emerging and future technologies. Smart money especially, which refers to money that is invested very early in the technology to bring it to the next stage, is usually the major stumbling block since people typically invest after the technology is confirmed to be secure and stable and not at the initial stages where the risks involved are very high.
"If you can imagine it, you can create it". Our professor showed us an example of how desire and commitment can translate one's dreams and imagination into reality with the video of the "perfect woman". This "perfect woman" is an android created to fulfill tasks such as household chores. While this might be a useful and an undoubtedly innovative creation, there are ethical implications associated with this technology such as the possibility of projecting stereotypes on women that to be "perfect", they had to be able to carry out tasks like the female robot constructed. Similarly, it can pressurise females into thinking that they have to develop a physique similar to the "perfect woman" assembled by AI Robotics, leading to unrealistic expectations and increased psychological stress for females. Similarly, in the video on augmented reality, it is explained that with this emerging technology, we can now gain access to more information about our surroundings by simply pointing our smart phones' camera at the object and the software downloaded will retrieve data about it from the internet. While this technology makes reality richer and more interesting, bringing convenience and utility of having a pool of information right at our fingertips, such futuristic technology carries with it risks like the issue of privacy and even raises concerns on terrorism. Thus, the key takeaway message here is that albeit the functionalities and the benefits of emerging and future technologies, there are other aspects that need to be factored in such as adverse ethical, social, political, environmental and economic impacts before these technologies can be effectively harnessed to improve the quality of life for man.
Some interesting new and emerging technologies include:
Biotechnology: The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products, where some of its applications include health care (medical), agriculture (crop production), industrial (non-food uses of crop and other products to create biodegradable plastics, vegetable oil and biofuels) and environmental uses.
Robotics: The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback and information processing. Although robotics is still rudimentary now but we will have different robotics in the future to make our lives easier with robotics engineers designing robots, maintaining them and developing new applications for them and conducting research to expand the potential of robotics. For example, robots have become a popular educational tool and robotics are also an essential component in many modern manufacturing environments.
Nanotechnology: This deals with the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. According to our professor, this is the technology of small things, which has applications in many areas that include nanomedicine, nanobiotechnology, green nanotechnology, industrial and energy nanotechnology. It was interesting to find out that nanotechnology has been used in sunblock and to create stronger cable fibers, illustrating the importance of nanotechnology in the basic details of our daily lives. However, this emerging technology has its fair share of implications, where an area of concern includes the effect that industrial-scale manufacturing and the use of nanomaterials would have on human health and the environment. For example, exposure to nanoparticles may have unintended consequences. Researchers have discovered that bacteriostatic silver nanoparticles used in socks to reduce foot odour are being released in the wash, where these particles will be flushed into the waste water stream and lead to the destruction of bacteria, which are critical components of natural ecosystems, farms and waste treatment processes. For these reasons, some groups advocate that nanotechnology be regulated by governments while others counter that overregulation would stifle scientific research and the development of beneficial innovations.
Hence, it can be concluded that while emerging and future technologies herald an era that is filled with surprises that can potentially be extremely beneficial to society, we should consider the potential implications that can arise as a result of the introduction and implementation of the technology in order to maximise its benefits and reduce the risks involved. Nevertheless, it is important to keep an open mind to new ideas and continuously innovate in order to promote the progress of cloud opportunities to summit opportunities.
Overall, I found the lesson interesting and insightful. I would rate it a 9/10.
Some interesting new and emerging technologies include:
Biotechnology: The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products, where some of its applications include health care (medical), agriculture (crop production), industrial (non-food uses of crop and other products to create biodegradable plastics, vegetable oil and biofuels) and environmental uses.
Robotics: The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback and information processing. Although robotics is still rudimentary now but we will have different robotics in the future to make our lives easier with robotics engineers designing robots, maintaining them and developing new applications for them and conducting research to expand the potential of robotics. For example, robots have become a popular educational tool and robotics are also an essential component in many modern manufacturing environments.
Nanotechnology: This deals with the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. According to our professor, this is the technology of small things, which has applications in many areas that include nanomedicine, nanobiotechnology, green nanotechnology, industrial and energy nanotechnology. It was interesting to find out that nanotechnology has been used in sunblock and to create stronger cable fibers, illustrating the importance of nanotechnology in the basic details of our daily lives. However, this emerging technology has its fair share of implications, where an area of concern includes the effect that industrial-scale manufacturing and the use of nanomaterials would have on human health and the environment. For example, exposure to nanoparticles may have unintended consequences. Researchers have discovered that bacteriostatic silver nanoparticles used in socks to reduce foot odour are being released in the wash, where these particles will be flushed into the waste water stream and lead to the destruction of bacteria, which are critical components of natural ecosystems, farms and waste treatment processes. For these reasons, some groups advocate that nanotechnology be regulated by governments while others counter that overregulation would stifle scientific research and the development of beneficial innovations.
Hence, it can be concluded that while emerging and future technologies herald an era that is filled with surprises that can potentially be extremely beneficial to society, we should consider the potential implications that can arise as a result of the introduction and implementation of the technology in order to maximise its benefits and reduce the risks involved. Nevertheless, it is important to keep an open mind to new ideas and continuously innovate in order to promote the progress of cloud opportunities to summit opportunities.
Overall, I found the lesson interesting and insightful. I would rate it a 9/10.
Have a good week!
Glenda
Glenda
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