IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY

The definition of "technology" and its uses have evolved significantly since the 20th century. If
we concentrate on the previous several decades, we can see that technological advancements
have brought about significant changes to our lives and allowed us to stay modern. The world in
which we live is dominated by technology.

"If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude than sorrow, we must
achieve more than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse
of the world as it was created, not just as it looked when we got through with it."
This well-known statement was made by former US President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The advancement of technology has played an important role in the development of human
civilization, along with cultural changes. Technology provides innovative ways of doing work
through various smart and innovative means.

Children learn about technology usage from an early age by watching their parents and relatives.
In this regard, they begin to adapt as well. We acknowledge that modern technology is booming
and that this is advancing human growth. All of us rely on technology and its uses. Everybody
uses technology to simplify their lives. Consumer electronics, PCs, laptops, mobile phones,
devices, and applications are examples of the technologies we use on a daily basis.

Technology has done more than anything to enable people to live comfortable and convenient
lives, from building roads, trains, and aeroplanes for smooth travel to facilitating communication
from anywhere in the world. Technology is, of course, used in a wide range of industries,
including research, science, medicine, agriculture, space exploration, and education.

In its broadest sense, technology encompasses all procedures, frameworks, and equipment
utilised in scientific study. But using it in the scientific realm calls for the right abilities, know-
how, and proficiency.

The Industrial Revolution of the 18th century marked the first obvious application of large-scale
technology, as machine tools supplanted human labour. Following that, a large number of
scientists, engineers, and researchers worked to advance human-technology interaction. Because
of this relationship between humans and technology, using technology has become second nature
to us.

Our lives have become easier and we have access to a wealth of facilities that we could never
have imagined thanks to technological advancements. In addition to raising humankind's level of
living, technology has also brought about dramatic shifts in both national and global
development.

Today's educational outcomes are superior than those of the 2000s thanks to the use of
technology. Children now study in better environments because of the advancements in
educational technology. Tough concepts can be extracted and learned by them. Kids can use
technology to discuss and share their questions with their teachers. In addition, individuals can
access resources for exams and project work as well as network with people globally to expand
their knowledge.

Over time, technology keeps advancing in the field of education. Both parents and kids may
access a multitude of educational resources thanks to technology. By working together, educators
may exchange ideas and resources online with classes all around the world. Thanks to the
Internet, students may find a plethora of excellent knowledge quickly. For projects, research, and
other purposes, educators and students can utilise the wealth of materials that are available
online. The educational system has evolved as a result of online learning.

With the aid of technology, the COVID-19 epidemic has changed society's perspective.
Youngsters of school age are still taught at home, and educational institutions are facilitating the
provision of remote learning opportunities for educators. Using technologies like virtual
classrooms, augmented reality, and robots, the student gained knowledge and practiced 21st-
century skills. Collaboration and communication have both significantly improved as a result.

Technology has not only greatly benefited the educational field but also the health sector. As
people's lifespan and quality of life have increased due to technological developments, so too
have the lives of many medical professionals and students pursuing careers in medicine. It makes
each patient's medical records easily accessible.

The patient-physician interaction has radically transformed as a result of the Internet. Everyone
may keep up with the most recent medical advancements, exchange details on treatments, and
assist one another in managing health problems. You can now make doctor-patient appointments
from the convenience of your home, all thanks to contemporary technology. For contacting
doctors and receiving medical assistance, there are a plethora of websites and apps available.

Examples of ground-breaking advancements in the healthcare sector include brain implants,

artificial organs, surgery, and linked sensors. In addition to using digital marketing to advertise
their services, hospitals use a range of tools and software for administrative work.
In addition to education and healthcare, technology has played a significant role in the
development of autonomous weapons systems, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, EW, UUVs,
hypersonic weapons, and other vital defence technology advancements that have arisen since the
countries have worked on their defence programmes. As the pace of technological advancement
continues, defence technology will continue to play a critical role in future conflicts.

Speaking of our own nation, India has made investments in advanced defensive technologies like
cybersecurity, missile defence systems, and crewless aerial aircraft. But many of these
technologies are still in the preliminary stages of research, and it might take a few years before
they are fully functional and incorporated into India's military power.

While India has made strides in strengthening its defence technological capabilities, more needs
to be done to ensure that the country is completely ready for war. India's attempts to strengthen
its military capabilities must include upgrading antiquated hardware and software, enhancing
supply chain management and logistics, and keeping up investments in advanced defence
technologies.

The contemporary digital era has given rise to noteworthy issues over privacy. In 2013, computer
expert and former CIA systems administrator, Edward Snowden released confidential
government documents to the press about the existence of government surveillance programs.
Snowden broke the 1917 Espionage Act, which classified Snowden's disclosure of state secrets
as treason.

Yet, the confidential documents he made public by The Guardian and other publications
demonstrated that the National Security Agency (NSA) had been viewing people's accounts,
emails, and live camera footage without their consent all over the world. As a result, journalists
and members of international organisations highly praised his action. That is why, there is a
higher chance of identity theft, data breaches, illegal access, and spying when enormous volumes
of personal data are gathered and stored. People could feel that they have less control over their
personal data.

Since space travel has always captivated our attention and remains a vital pathway for both
human success and scientific advancement, technological advancement has led humanity in this
endeavour. The primary driver of space travel has been technology, from the first successful
expedition outside Earth's atmosphere to the lofty goals of colonising distant planets. Exploration
of space and the solving of cosmic riddles depend heavily on the advancement of innovation and
technology.

In space technology, a well-known event occurred recently. The lander reached the planned
orbits of 164 km x 18074 km and 288 km x 369328 km thanks to careful planning by the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO). India achieved a historic first when Chandrayaan-3
became the first nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon's South Pole area. This
demonstrates that people can achieve their goals in life when their minds work together with
technology.

While society has benefited greatly from technological improvements, there are drawbacks to
technology as well. In the twenty-first century, people's daily lives have begun to depend more
and more on Internet technology. People are becoming more and more lethargic due to our
addiction to digital gadgets like computers, laptops, video games, and cell phones.

Technology misuse and its wrong implementation leads to the occurrence of environmental
pollution. Machine and car production has expanded significantly in tandem with consumer
demand, which in turn has led to more consumption and higher supply of the goods that are
important to industrialization's advancement of technology. Constant advancements in
technology brought about the Industrial Revolution, which improved living conditions.
Consequently, in an attempt to meet human needs through industrialization and technological
development, excessive pollution has been produced, which has had a negative impact on the
environment. This is because people now find technology to be exceedingly desirable.

Technology has negative effects on health since prolonged screen time and sedentary lifestyles
are linked to a number of health issues. Overuse of technology has been linked to a number of
detrimental health effects, including obesity, musculoskeletal issues, eye strain, and disturbed
sleep.

Ironically, despite the fact that technology promises to improve connections, it can also
exacerbate social alienation. Overusing digital platforms can take the place of in-person contacts,
which can hinder the growth of meaningful relationships and lower emotional intelligence and
empathy.

Artificial intelligence and automation are two examples of how technological improvements may
eventually replace human labour in some industries. Particularly for people in manual or
repetitive jobs that might be mechanised, this can result in job displacement and unemployment.
Technology breakthroughs have reduced demand, which is why immigration and emigration
have been growing swiftly.

As technology develops, moral conundrums eventually surface. The ethical and responsible use
of technology is called into question by problems like algorithmic biases, data privacy, and the
development of autonomous weapons.
Let's examine the technological advancements made in our nation. India currently holds the third
position among the world's most desirable investment destinations for technological transactions,
indicating a significant advancement in the country's scientific fields. India is now regarded as
one of the leading nations in scientific research in the twenty-first century. For instance, India
has risen to the top five countries in the world for space research thanks to its moon missions and
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

In the Global Innovation Index (2020), India is ranked among the top 15 countries for
Information and Communication Technology and is ranked 48th overall for R&D-intensive
global companies.

Almost 2% of the nation's GDP was allocated to research & development in 2020, accounting for
US$ 96.50 billion of the market. In order to strengthen its vital strategic industries—such as
space, energy, and the medical sciences—India has implemented a number of financial
initiatives. One of India's expanding sectors, energy is currently the subject of much attention.
The Solar Energy Research Institute for India is an Indo-US effort that the Indian scientist and
the US recently worked on together. It is financed by the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean
Energy.

The twenty-first century has also witnessed a surge in the number of technological company
incubators, whose rapidly goal is to nurture emerging concepts and link ideation with
commercialization. With the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NITI
Aayog), India has made strides towards the developing field of artificial intelligence, opening
doors for further research and exploration.

As a Cadet in the NCC, I can attest that the Digital India Campaign has enabled the NCC to
achieve hitherto unthinkable heights. There has been an increase in internet activism as a result
of the ease with which information and articles can now be shared, enabling cadets to spread
their voice both locally and globally. Digital India has drastically altered our perspective on
everything, from social activity to health awareness. An outstanding illustration of this is the
NCC Digital Forum. It currently boasts more than 81 thousand published activities thanks to the
input of over 2.9 lac cadets. Cadets can share their work in this area and also utilise it as a source
of inspiration for other cadets' efforts.

Let's sum up by saying that technology has provided a new dimension progress to the country as
well as world and given a new direction of development to human life. It is now an
indispensable component of our culture. We would live very different lives in many ways if it
weren't for technology advances. Technology works to adapt to the shifting demands of society
as it advances. As civilization develops, so does technology. That being said, progress comes at a
price. This price is different for each person, and varies based on how much people value
technological and scientific advancements in their own lives.

The development of electric power systems in America, England, and Germany was compared
by Thomas Parke Hughes in Networks of Power, which demonstrated that these countries needed
social "engineering" in addition to electrical engineering to establish the required organisational
designs, standards, funding, political support, and legal frameworks (Stanford University). To
put it another way, a new technology's success is not guaranteed by its scientific conception and
creation. Whether or not a product is accepted by society and whether or not there is path
dependence have a significant impact on the success of technology.

But another significant factor influencing the war is technological innovation. Humans will be
involved in creating weapons that have the capacity to instantly destroy an entire nation as long
as they have been at war. The most notable illustration of this is the atomic bomb and the nuclear
weapons that the so-called superpowers possess, which are meant to prevent war.

Also, excessive use of technology should only be done in an emergency because it poses a
serious risk to human health. Humans shouldn't get past the point in technical advancement
where space travel and extra-terrestrial life become relevant. The British physicist Stephen
Hawking asserts that although extra-terrestrial life exists, human interaction with it might be too
risky. In the recently released documentary "Into the Universe With Stephen Hawking,"
Hawking asserts that there is a high probability of intelligent extra-terrestrial species, but
cautions that direct communication with them may be "too risky." Thus, while using technology
responsibly has its benefits, going over that boundary can lead to catastrophic consequences.