Research Paper on the Future of Technology

Evidently, when it comes to advancements, the technology industry leads all others in the globe. This particular industry has gained widespread acceptance across the globe and is being enjoyed by people of all ages, from youngsters to adults. The technology we take for granted in the 21st century is not the same as that employed in the 20th and 19th centuries since technology has evolved. Although they may have accomplished less than their current counterparts, the technicians of the 19th and 20th centuries laid the groundwork for modern technology. Their labor, abilities, and inventiveness produced innovations on which modern innovators have prospered. Technology is still advancing, and more is yet to come considering that new technologies are ever being launched on a daily basis in different parts of the globe. This research was aimed at evaluating the future of technology while considering the various advancements that have been made in the technology industry, their impacts (both positive and negative), and evaluating how the recent innovations are far much different from the previous ones and what they suggest about the future of technology.

Literature review

According to Standage and Economist Books, technology is a branch of knowledge which deals with knowledge application in the fields of arts, pure science, applied science and the engineering field as well. In Williams, In Jones, and In Buntting (2015) challenges this definition and concludes by acclaiming that technology is the application of knowledge for practical ends. Scholars who have written on technology use different words to define the term, but the meaning has always remained to be the same, application of knowledge practical ideas.

In Williams, In Jones, and In Buntting (2015) alleges that the future of technology is unpredictable; "we do not know what to anticipate for in terms of technology." According to them, technology grows day and night, and that makes it hard to project the future of this specific industry. They articulate that technology is among the leading industries that have advancement drastically since services such as mail delivery have been made efficient than it was ten years ago. With our sophisticated handsets, a single click delivers mail in microseconds.

Petit, and Soete (2001) agrees with the sentiments made by In Williams, In Jones, and In Buntting about the future of technology being unpredictable. However, there worries and concerns underlies on what will come with the future. To be specific, these two authors allege that the current trend in artificial intelligence technologies poses a threat to the future of employment as well. These two authors concerns are acceptable. In fact, artificial intelligence technologies (robots) are taking over the employment world posing a threat not just to an individual but also to the society as a whole. Petit and Soete deny the fact that their take on the future of technology is that it will demoralize the employment industry.

While the above authors seem to be unpredictable about the future of technology, In Geisler, In Krabbendam, and In Schuring (2003) seem to be updated on what technology has for us some years to come. They, In Geisler, In Krabbendam and In Schuring, articulate that the future of technology can be determined from the present technologies as well as the ongoing inventions. For instance, they argue that the future of technology where health is involved has been given an upper hand by x-ray scanners we encounter in the hospital. They argue that even if changes occur, technologies such as X-ray will not be so much sophisticated.

Research Question

What future does technology hold for us considering the current trends in this particular industry?

Data Collection and Analysis

Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected for this research which implies that a qualitative research approach and a quantitative research approach, were selected for this research study. A qualitative approach was employed to evaluate the current trends in technology and how these developments were possibly influencing the future. Also, a qualitative approach was used to examine what actually people anticipate for where the future of technology is involved. Qualitative data approaches employed for this research included focus groups and interviews.

A quantitative data approach was as well used since numerical data was expected to give at least an estimate of what to expect in future in regards to technology. Quantitative data methods rendered for this study included paper surveys, online surveys, website interceptors as well as online polls. We had planned to deploy questions but online surveys as well polls worked out effective thereby minimizing the time we would have spent filling questionnaires.

Statistical data were analyzed through the use of data analysis tools. In our case, we employed a data analysis software tool called SPSS. In the course of the analysis, some variables such as which types of technologies were advancing faster than others were ignored. Also, specifications were assumed as our primary focus was in the technology industry as a whole.

Data was obtained across several media platforms. Online polls were conducted on Twitter, and actually, it was a success. The question "What future should we expect considering that there is an increased innovation of artificial intelligence technologies?" was drafted. Three categories were created; 1) Positive (Great); 2) Negative, and 3) I don't know. One could only vote once on a single click; a second attempted one received an error notification. An online survey was also conducted on LinkedIn as well as on the NASA (who are on the frontier of technology innovativeness) official website.

In the case of qualitative research, photos of artificial intelligence technologies - robots were used as proof that indeed the technology was taking over the employment environment. More images, as well as video clips of drones programmed to navigate on their own, said it all about the future of technology as well. Further video clips showing a Chinese train moving on commands and monitored on a remote location were evidence the future of technology will be great and at the same time gruesome to some people. All these images and video clips were downloaded from the NASA official website.

Results and Discussion

From the research, various conclusions were made. First and foremost, the future of technology is indeed uncertain; we might anticipate for greater things only to be disappointed at the end. This articulation is supported by the online poll where 45% cast in the category "I don't Know." Another discovery was that technology grows too fast; like ten years ago mail delivery was done by mail delivery companies, and apparent only a single click on your handset can a send a mail to microseconds. Also, from the research, it was clear that the technology industry will never rest and therefore, we should expect more and more innovations. One individual even tweeted "five years down the line I could never imagine swimming with my phone."

The research question ought to have changed midway the research. Instead of focusing on how the current innovations could influence future innovations in technology, is now focused on the future from another perspective; how artificial intelligence technologies would take over the globe and reign in the various fields such as employment sectors.

The findings of the research align with what I learned earlier. The results support the fact that the future of technology is indeed uncertain. As well, the results concur with the idea that technology grows drastically considering that five years down the line no kid would be allowed to be in possession of a phone. About artificial intelligence technologies, the results still support the fact that they are replacing human labor in the employment sector.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the future of technology is uncertain. Technology changes fast, and it is on the frontier of innovations compared to any other industry. The new developments made in technology are advancements made from the already existing technologies. Artificial intelligence technologies are taking over human roles which have raised debated on the future of employment. Robots are examples of artificial intelligence technologies. Apparently, in this contemporary society, access to technology has no age limit.

Appendix

"we do not know what to anticipate for in terms of technology."

SPSS

"What future should we expect considering that there is an increased innovation of artificial intelligence technologies?"

Twitter

LinkedIn

NASA

Artificial intelligence technologies

Drones

Robots

Tweet; "five years down the line I could never imagine swimming with my phone."

References

In Geisler, E., In Krabbendam, K., & In Schuring, R. (2003). Technology, health care, and management in the hospital of the future. Westport, CT: Praeger. Retried from: http://www.worldcat.org/title/technology-health-care-and-management-in-the-hospital-of-the-future/oclc/473977597

In Williams, J., In Jones, A., & In Buntting, C. (2015). The future of technology education. Retrieved from: http://www.worldcat.org/title/future-of-technology-education/oclc/896116754

Petit, P., & Soete, L. (2001). Technology and the future of European employment. Cheltenham, UK: E. Elgar. Retrieved from: http://www.worldcat.org/title/technology-and-the-future-of-european-employment/oclc/655196118

Standage, T., & Economist Books. (2005). The future of technology. Norwood Mass: Books24x7.com. retrieved from: http://www.worldcat.org/title/future-of-technology/oclc/176044798