One of the most pressing questions of today’s society is how much technology has shifted the dynamic and whether it has been for better or worse. It’s easy to overlook the incredible benefits of technology while basking in the cynicism of modern-day social media philosophers. Likewise, people can be blind to some of its adverse impacts on society while they glide through their lives using technology as their proverbial right-hand man.
Human society constantly developing is a prerequisite to evolution. Nobody wants to stand still in whatever field they’re in – they also don’t want to fall behind with the times. People eventually had to get on board with technology because what would you do without it? If you don’t have a mobile phone and the internet, your ability to function in the modern world is significantly hindered.
Ways Technology Continues to Innovate
Cryptocurrency is considered one of technology and finance’s most significant disruptive innovations. Bitcoin is a challenging currency to modern centralized banking. This is something that hasn’t existed before. For this reason, it is handled with caution and apprehension. However, cryptocurrency is considered secure, seamless, and more effective in cross-border transactions than any other standard currency.
It isn’t a surprise that companies have started to use cryptocurrency to heighten their reach within their sector. While some believe it could wipe out specific industries, other sectors, such as gambling, use it to their advantage. Given the lack of regulation, it is a gamble for these companies to use cryptocurrency as a payment method, as robust legislation will make or break this niche sector within the next 12 to 18 months.
Technology has had a significant impact on the world of gambling too, raising questions about whether it has brought people closer together or further apart. On one hand, technology has made gambling more accessible, allowing individuals to engage in various forms of betting from the comfort of their homes. Online casinos, sports betting platforms, and mobile gambling apps have opened up new avenues for people to participate in gambling activities. This accessibility has enabled a broader range of individuals to enter the gambling realm.
However, there is a concern that technology has also contributed to the isolation and addiction associated with gambling. The convenience and anonymity offered by online gambling platforms can lead to excessive and uncontrolled betting behaviors. Moreover, the advent of virtual reality and augmented reality in gambling introduces immersive experiences that can blur the line between the virtual and real worlds, potentially exacerbating addictive tendencies.
For now, gambling companies are seeing the benefits. You can check out this platform as an example. You probably know how effectively these kinds of companies allow you to connect your wallet, not mess around with any deposit fees implemented by your bank and connect your wallet seamlessly. Your information is secure; no identifiable bank account or credit card information must be stored to validate your deposit. You could play your chosen casino game with cryptocurrency like you if you were playing roulette or blackjack with Dollars or Euros.
How Technology Has Benefited Society
Now that billions of smartphones are in circulation and thousands more are made daily, the question is whether these devices bring us together or drive us apart. Social media, text messaging, and cheaper phone calls mean you can speak to any of your friends or family directly, regardless of where they are.
In the 1990s, international calls were expensive, and landline calls could also rack up quite the bill – the fact we can call people anytime, anywhere, for so cheap has enabled society to continue evolving rapidly.
Technology has also helped eliminate time spent performing other tasks. For example, the banking sector’s transition to a digital-first approach has enabled customers to pay bills and pay friends via their mobile app. They don’t have to take time to travel to the bank and wait in line. However, as we touched on in our introduction, this could also be a negative for certain members of society.
Negatives of Technology
Some people have argued that too much socializing can impact us negatively. While it is good to see friends and family, being able to recharge your social battery is also vital. So, while some people may view the increased interconnectivity that technology has facilitated as a positive, for some people, being unable to tune out and decompress is a hindrance.
There’s a good argument to be made that the more senior members of society face serious levels of indirect indiscrimination as we move toward a world, they do not recognize QR codes, online banking, mobile apps, and two-level verification. But, while this is much safer than other methods, we must also ask whether we are seriously weighing the benefits and positives and alienating millions.
The rise of AI has caused a divide, and the ambiguous nature of its vast developments is a genuine alarm for some. While some people are concerned about the grave dangers of AI becoming self-aware, many others are also worried that jobs such as customer service, software coding, content writing, accounting, and complex law litigation could all become AI driven in the not-too-distant future.
As a writer, it’s hard not to be concerned about the rise of this technology and the amount of money pouring into the sector. However, if AI can mimic and create complex, specialist thesis essays at the click of a button, the danger of genuine, authentic, and thought-provoking human-driven writing could also be in jeopardy. We could soon reach a stage where you won’t know whether AI or a human wrote the article you’re reading.
Healthy skepticism works when assessing these types of innovations. Some hysterical individuals will look to grab headlines about AI churning out terminators by 2025 or everyone’s job being performed by AI bots by 2030. As ever, the eye-catching, clickbait headlines are usually miles off the mark. As a society, we should welcome technological changes while keeping an open mind to the underlying issues they might be fuelling.