1
The impact of technology on our society.
Kevin Campoverde
Department of English, Universidad San Fransisco de Quito
3487. Writing and Rhetoric
Ana María Galarza Raad
March 30, 2023
2
The impact of technology on our society.
“New technologies have revolutionized the world of work in our times.” (Carrillo
and Tony, 2006, p. 292). Technological advances have become a revolution in all aspects of
people's lives. Today's society has undergone important changes due to the accelerated
industrial revolutions that have been taking place. This has led to changes in people's lives,
in the economic, political, social, cultural, etc. In the past few decades, the world has
witnessed a rapid advancement in technology. That is why we should ask ourselves: What
does technology contribute? And above all, how does it alter people's lives? It is not just
about developing inventions just because you can do it, you must analyze how that event
can change society, for better or for worse. While some people praise the benefits of
technology, others criticize its negative effects on human well-being and the environment.
Therefore, this article will analyze the impact of technology on people's lives from a critical
and investigative perspective.
Technology has made people's lives more convenient and efficient. For instance, the
internet has revolutionized the way people communicate, work, and access information.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have enabled people to
connect with their friends and family members worldwide and share their experiences,
thoughts, and emotions. E-commerce platforms like Amazon and Alibaba have made
shopping easier and faster, providing customers with a wide range of products at their
fingertips. Moreover, digital technologies have improved healthcare services, allowing
doctors to diagnose and treat diseases more accurately and efficiently. However,
technology represents a risk in terms of security, mental health, bad habits, among others.
3
To further analyze our central theme, we have divided our article into three sections:
Job challenges with new technology, positive and negative impact of technology in people's
lives and industries.
Job challenges with new technology
Within the private sector, it has always been sought to implement technological
advances, especially in multinational or large-scale companies, this has led many of the
processes implemented by these companies to be robotized. Now, in the fourth industrial
revolution, this has become widespread and has caused much of the workforce of
employees to be replaced by robots or machines that carry out said work, especially in
assembly lines or in jobs that may require mechanical processes. This has caused great
affections to the relations that are established between employee and employer. About this
León (2020) mentions:
Changes are already observed in the offers and types of jobs, a decrease in
permanent contracts, an increase in contracting for works and services, outsourcing
of tasks and the rise of various formulas that develop time and space flexibility; In
short, changes in the relationship between the company and the worker. (p.10)
This is an important fact that must be considered regarding its current and future
consequences. The robotization of work has meant that many jobs are in danger of
disappearing. Not only mechanical jobs such as employees in production and assembly
lines, workers, waiters, etc., but even jobs such as chefs, journalists, and even doctors. All
this due to the implementation of AI (Artificial Intelligence).
This generates an immense change in the labor field of society, so that many
professions or trades could become obsolete. Within this, the levels of education are
4
worrying, since the jobs will change in such a way that workers are no longer needed, but
administrators, and the levels of education (mainly in third world countries) are still
deficient in perspective with this change that will occur in the future.
Technological change will affect the structures to a greater extent than the level of
employment, which will create an even more polarized labor market between highskill and low-skill occupations. As a result of all this, growing inequalities will be
generated between both labor poles. Consequently, one of the great challenges of
the future of salaried work concerns growing inequality since, surely, technological
change will cause a dualization between "winners and losers", with an increase in
the so-called "working poor" (working poor) and precarious citizens. (Moreno,
2019, p. 151)
The robotization of work will be one of the biggest changes in people's lives, not
only in the labor aspect but also in how they establish interpersonal relationships at work
and their lifestyles. However, this does not seem to be the end of the constant technological
advances and much less of the industrial revolutions, still the abilities of scientists can
continue generating changes that alter society.
Benefits of technology in people's lives and industries
The AI has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including healthcare,
finance, and transportation, by providing more efficient and accurate solutions
(Oppenheimer, 2018). For instance, AI-powered robots can assist doctors in surgery,
predict and prevent diseases, and improve patient outcomes. Moreover, AI algorithms can
help financial institutions to manage risks, detect fraud, and offer personalized financial
advice to customers. In the transportation sector, self-driving cars can reduce accidents,
traffic congestion, and emissions, making cities more livable and sustainable. However, the
5
rise of AI also raises ethical, legal, and social implications, such as job displacement,
privacy, bias, and accountability.
On the other hand, loT is beginning to sound strongly in the technology industry.
IoT refers to the interconnectedness of physical objects, such as appliances, vehicles, and
buildings, through sensors and networks (Swamy & Kota, 2020). IoT has the potential to
create smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable cities, by optimizing resource
allocation, reducing waste, and enhancing public services. And with it, people's lives would
be improved. For example, smart homes can automatically adjust energy consumption
based on occupants' preferences and weather conditions, while smart traffic systems can
optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
With the rise of digital platforms, such as Wikipedia, Coursera, and YouTube,
anyone with an internet connection can access a vast range of information and educational
resources, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status (Madakam & Tripathi,
2021). Moreover, social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, have
enabled people to express themselves, share their stories, and connect with others, creating
new opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and social change. As a consequence,
people and industries manage to optimize their time and both economic and human
resources, improving in several aspects both the way of working and the communication of
people.
As we had previously mentioned, the technology advances rapidly and many
traditional jobs may become automated, leading to significant job displacement and skill
mismatch. However, technology also creates new job opportunities, such as data analysts,
software developers, and digital marketers, which require different skills and competencies.
6
The increase in jobs on digital platforms, mainly in Europe, has been growing
exponentially since 2017. These data are presented in Figure 1.
Figure 1
The boom in jobs in digital industries in Europe in 2017
Note: Reprinted from “El Reto de la medición del trabajo en plataformas digitales” by
Gómez, M., & Quintana, L. H., 2020, National Library of medicine, p. 14.
The data collected by Gomez show an increase in most countries of jobs on
platforms or digital companies, a clear example of this is Spain with an increase of 12.2%
up to 2017, with the Covid-19 pandemic, this figure it must have increased sporadically.
Unfortunately, we do not have a survey of people who work in the digital area, after the
pandemic. However, with the data collected we can say that the increase in jobs in the
digital area is increasing by leaps and bounds.
7
Moreover, technology can enable remote work, flexible schedules, and work-life
balance, providing more autonomy and freedom to workers. However, the transformation
of work and employment also raises concerns about job insecurity, income inequality, and
the need for lifelong learning and reskilling.
Drawbacks of technology in people's lives and industries
Despite the benefits of technology, there are also several drawbacks that need to be
considered. One of the most significant concerns is the negative impact of technology on
mental health. Social media addiction, cyberbullying, and online harassment have become
widespread problems among young people, leading to depression, anxiety, and other mental
disorders (Zamira, 2021). Additionally, the overuse of technology has also led to a
sedentary lifestyle, which is linked to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and other health
issues. Furthermore, technology also poses a threat to privacy and security, as people's
personal data can be easily accessed and misused by cybercriminals and government
agencies. Young people are the ones who have had the most problems with the new era of
digitalization. Some of the factors that affect young people are correlated with technology.
Table 1 presents each of these variables.
8
Table 1
Proportions, means and standard deviations of the use of digital technology, perceived
deficiencies and the well-being of families.
Note: Reprinted from “Young Adolescents’ Digital Technology Use, Perceived Impairments,
and Wellbeing in a Representative Sample,” by George MJ;Jensen MR;Russell
MA;Gassman-Pines A;Copeland WE;Hoyle RH;Odgers CL, 2020, National Library of
medicine, p. 14.
One of the findings of this study is the high rates of perceived impairment in
adolescents and the conclusive or compelling evidence linking the use of digital technology
with academic, psychological, or physical well-being. Technology creates a direct and
significant negative impact on all aspects of adolescent well-being.
On the other hand, the rapid development of technology raises several questions
about its future implications. One of the most pressing concerns is the impact of artificial
9
intelligence (AI) on employment. AI and automation technologies have already replaced
many industries that were profitable a few years ago, such as: the paper industry, retail
industries, among others. Moreover, the development of autonomous weapons and drones
also poses a threat to global security and stability. Therefore, it is crucial to regulate the use
of technology and ensure that its benefits are distributed equally among all people.
Conclusions
In conclusion, technology has significantly transformed people's lives, providing
them with numerous benefits and challenges. While technology has made communication,
work, and entertainment more accessible and convenient, it has also led to mental health
problems, sedentary lifestyle, privacy and security concerns, and employment uncertainties.
Therefore, it is essential to take a critical approach to the use of technology and address its
negative effects. Moreover, policymakers, technology companies, and society as a whole
need to work together to ensure that technology serves the common good and contributes to
a sustainable and equitable future.
The future implications of technology on people's lives are multifaceted and
complex. While technology has the potential to bring significant benefits, such as
efficiency, innovation, and sustainability, it also poses several challenges, such as ethics,
privacy, and inequality. Therefore, it is crucial to approach technological change with a
critical and holistic perspective, considering the social, economic, and environmental
impacts of technology on individuals, communities, and society.
Technological advances have allowed human beings to facilitate their activities and
carry out processes in more effective and faster ways. However, within these advances comes
a great ethical implication in which it must be analyzed. Progress has been considered
10
inevitable and within this it is important that people try to adapt, but more important seems
to be a controlled progress that can be adapted to reality.
11
References
Carrillo, K. and Tony, D. (2006). New technologies in labor relations: progress or setback?
Law Magazine, no. 25, July, pp. 289-307. ISSN 0121-8697
Gao, F., Luo, T., & Zhang, K. (2018). Effects of social media on college students’ mental
health:
A
systematic
review.
Psychiatry
Research
270,
pp.
949-958.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.011
George MJ;Jensen MR;Russell MA;Gassman-Pines A;Copeland WE;Hoyle RH;Odgers CL;
(n.d.). Young adolescents' digital technology use, perceived impairments, and wellbeing in a representative sample. The Journal of pediatrics. Retrieved March 25,
2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32057438/
Gómez, M., & Quintana, L. H. (2022, January 1). El Reto de la medición del trabajo en
plataformas
digitales.
Dialnet.
Retrieved
March
25,
2023,
from
https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=8411844.
Leon, C. (2020). Robotization, will it only change employment? Empresa y humanismo
magazine, Vol. XXIII, No. 1, p. 9-33. ISSN-e 2254-6413
Madakam, S., & Tripathi, S. (2021, July 9). Social Media/Networking: Applications,
Technologies, theories. JISTEM - Journal of Information Systems and Technology
Management. Retrieved March 26, 2023, from
https://www.scielo.br/j/jistm/a/MxH4kbZ4rwpWSGt3KCLkfxs/
Moreno, L. (2019). Robotization, neofeudalism and universal basic income. New Society
Magazine, No. 279, p. 149-158. ISSN 0251-3552
12
Oppenheimer, A. (1970, January 1). ¡sálvese quien pueda! / the robots are coming!: El
Futuro del Trabajo en la era de la automatización (Spanish edition). AbeBooks.
Retrieved March 28, 2023, from
https://www.abebooks.com/9780525564874/%C2%A1S%C3%A1lvese-puedaRobots-Coming-futuro-052556487X/plp
S. N. Swamy and S. R. Kota, "An Empirical Study on System Level Aspects of Internet of
Things (IoT)," in IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 188082-188134, 2020, doi:
10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3029847.
Zamira, G. (2021, February 18). Advantages and disadvantages of using information
technology in learning process of students. Journal of Turkish Science Education.
Retrieved March 26, 2023, from
https://www.tused.org/index.php/tused/article/view/1099
Word count: 1843