Mendaros, Jason Rommel S.

1/27/2021

IT – 31 Prof. Agustin

Emerging Technologies

IMPACT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

POSITIVE IMPACT
Emerging technology can improve people's lives in many ways. Technological
advancements can help people complete tasks more efficiently, keep them safer and healthier
and also protect the environment
Efficiency
Time does not stand still, and neither do people. People are constantly on the go and need to
get things done more quickly and accurately. Inventions like the computer, telephone and
cellular phones have forever changed the course of human life. They allow people to conduct
business and interact with each other without having to travel thousands of miles. More
recently, a new type of transistor made out of graphene promises to make electronics smaller
and perform at extraordinary speeds. This benefit should thrill not only consumers, but also
researchers and businesses seeking ways to increase efficiency and improve productivity.
Safety
When African American inventor Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr, witnessed a collision between a
horse-drawn carriage and an automobile back in the early 1900s, it convinced him that
something could be done to improve traffic safety. The fruits of his labor yielded the three-
position traffic signal, which is used around the world today. In August 2011, the U.S.
Department of Transportation will be hosting six Driver Acceptance Clinics across the country to
test an emerging technology that allows vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The DOT hopes this
technology will help motorists avoid crashes by warning the driver of potentially hazardous
situations.
Health
Emerging technologies can play a critical role when it comes to human health. Wheelchairs help
those who have lost mobility in their legs to get around, while MRI devices detect abnormalities
and diseases within people's bodies. Positron Emission Tomography has been identified as a
quicker and more accurate method of diagnosing infections in patients who may have cancer or
cardiovascular disease. The technology is already making its way into several U.S. hospitals.
Great Plains Regional Medical Center installed a PET device in April 2011 as a part of its facility
expansion and to ensure cancer patients receive the best possible care. Lantheus Medical
Imaging plans to present the positive results of its Phase 2 clinical trial of PET imaging
technology at the Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac CT Conference in Amsterdam in May 2011.
Environmental Conservation
The scientific reports are in: destructive human habits are polluting the world and adversely
affecting the environment. Many emerging technologies are now being geared toward
environmental conservation. Inventors are creating eco-friendly light bulbs, beauty products
and automobiles. Former U.S. president George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 into law to increase U.S. production of renewable fuels. Professor Frances
Arnold is busy designing enhanced enzymes for making biofuels from cellulose. Her ultimate
goal is to aid in the reduction of greenhouse gases by making low-emission biofuels a
sustainable substitute for fossil fuels

NEGATIVE IMPACT

Disadvantages of emerging technology include:

 increased dependency on technology

 often large costs involved with using the latest technology (especially for small
businesses)
 increased risk of job cuts
 closure of high street stores in favour of online business
 security risk in relation to data and fraud
 required regular updates
 can go down or have faults, which can stop all business operations instantly