Smart Technology

Let me start by admitting right out that I do not have a smart house, nor do I live in a smart community.

I own a smart watch, a smart phone, a smart television, and a mostly smart refrigerator (it won't tell me when I run out of almond milk or spinach, but it will tell me when filters need replacing). Never in my youth could I have predicted today's technology. It's pretty amazing.

This all started with a Canadian company called Smart Technologies. Founded in 1987, (that's not a typo - yes, 1987) they made the first Smartboard, which was a whiteboard for teachers and companies for making presentations.

Now, smart technology

...integrates sensors, processors, actuators and connectivity to create systems capable of autonomous decision-making and adaptation.

Copilot search results

It doesn't get more science fiction-like than that!

Before long, these machines will be everywhere. According to another Copilot search, half of U.S. home already have some smart technology. That seems like an underestimate, but who am I to question technology?

Right there... THAT is the reason I'm writing this piece. I don't think we should be afraid to question technology. I'm going to address some concerns and some improvements brought about by smart technology.

Yes, smart tech enhances efficiency, comfort, and connectivity. Yes, it's great when it works, but what happens when it doesn't? What happens when people stop caring about becoming smarter because the technology does the thinking for them?

People and businesses around the globe are buying smart phones, watches, TVs, security systems, appliances, cars, and even entire homes that do a lot of the heavy lifting in life. Most use technology in the workforce as well. I'm concerned that we're slowly letting our devices do more of the thinking to the detriment of our own brains.

With a push of a button, I can see my heart rate, my temperature, and my number of steps for the day. What if people think that as long as their technology says they're healthy, they don't need to see a medical professional? That could be a dangerous assumption.

I can sit on my couch and let my television make recommendations of something to watch based on past viewing history. If all I did was rely on that technology, I wouldn't watch anything out of my comfort level. I would be stilting my own potential growth.

I've already seen changes in behavior with students at school. Many are being raised by too much technology and not enough personal connection. They're used to instant information and instant entertainment and non-stop gaming and expect the same at school. This results in many more behavioral issues than in the past. I've seen that first-hand. The minute the bell rings, students get their phones back, and they are on them like a mosquito on a blood donor. It's frightening how dependent they are on a device they can put in a pocket.

Another concern with smart technology is data. If you can be hacked - and most likely you can - you can be scammed. We're putting more data out there these days, and I'm not sure if the security can keep up with it. Yes, we sometimes have to jump through security hoops, which can be very irritating, but what happens when the next round of hackers gets through that firewall? Better to suffer through the annoying hoops than to lose your savings.

The final negative has to do with the environmental impact. There are so many old devices that are land-filled, with potentially toxic components. In my community, the only place that took electronic waste is now out of business. I'm pretty sure most people will not drive over the mountain to dispose of an old laptop or cell phone. We are slowly killing our planet, and smart tech is part of that issue.

Technology does have more advantages than disadvantages though. Now, I'll delve into some of them.

I'll start by going back to the medical field. Smart technology (AI in this case) is being used to track epileptic patient's brainwaves for seizures. It's used for assistance with sepsis, one of the leading causes of hospital deaths, and even spinal surgery. It's truly miraculous how many lives are being saved and/or lengthened because of technology. This does come with a new threat though, "cyberchondria." People look up their own symptoms and are paralyzed with fear over what's ailing them.

There is smart irrigation for farmers, making their job somewhat less work intensive and more accurate for crops.

There is smart tech for businesses, improving customer service, assisting with product inventory and online display, allowing customer access, and improving general customer satisfaction.

Manufacturing also benefits from smart tech by boosting productivity while cutting waste and increasing efficiency.

Education can be assisted with grading systems, smart devices, and greater access to educational material.

Transportation can be improved with connected vehicles communicating about accidents and traffic. Tracking also helps for transportation of goods.

Smart tech in the financial industry can help lower fraud and increase access to financial goods and services.

Conclusion

Smart technology is doing more good than harm at this point. Let's hope it stays that way.

While AI often gets a bad rap, it has its uses. I searched elsewhere for a cover photo for this piece. Not finding anything to my liking, it took just one prompt to get the one I used.

Yes, there are growing pains and challenges with smart tech, as there have been with other technologies that came along before. Smart technology is already an important - almost alien - aspect of life, so let's try to be open-minded, because it's here to stay.

Sources:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375543008_Smart_technology_Ecosystem_impacts_challenges_and_the_path_forward

https://youtu.be/5kwyuYJ2xEA?si=C2jSfYIHABMVHEEg