Technology (6do encyclopedia)230515



Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems. It encompasses the design, production, and implementation of tools, machines, systems, and processes that improve the quality of life and enhance productivity. The word technology comes from the Greek words technē, which means art or craft, and logos, which means word or discourse. Technology can be classified into different categories such as information technology, communication technology, transport technology, medical technology, and energy technology.

History

Technology has been part of human history for thousands of years. The development of technology can be traced back to the Stone Age, where early humans used stone tools to hunt, gather food, and build shelters. The invention of the wheel, agricultural tools, and metal tools during the Bronze Age led to the emergence of civilization. The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant milestone in the development of technology. The invention of steam power and mechanization of production led to the mass production of goods and ushered in modern capitalism. Since then, technology has continued to advance at a rapid pace, propelled by technological breakthroughs in electronics, telecommunications, and computers.

Information Technology

Information technology (IT) refers to the use of computers, software, and telecommunications equipment to store, process, and transmit information. The rise of the internet and the explosion of online communication tools have transformed the way we communicate, work, and do business. IT has become an integral part of our daily lives, from accessing social media networks to using mobile apps to carry out transactions.

IT covers a wide range of areas such as data storage and management, computer networks, software development, and cybersecurity. The advent of cloud computing has revolutionized the way we store and access data, allowing for scalable and cost-effective solutions. The Internet of Things (IoT) has also emerged as a major area of growth in IT, allowing for the interconnectivity of devices, sensors, and machines.

Communication Technology

Communication technology refers to the tools and systems used to communicate information. From the earliest forms of communication through drums, smoke signals, and carrier pigeons, to modern communication methods like wireless networks, satellite communication, and the internet, communication technology has undergone many changes.

The invention of the telegraph in the 19th century ushered in the era of long-distance communication. The telephone system followed, leading to the expansion of global communication networks. The invention of radio and television allowed for the mass dissemination of information and entertainment. In the late 20th century, the internet emerged as a transformative communication technology, leading to the development of email, instant messaging, and social media.

Transport Technology

Transport technology refers to the systems and machines used for transportation. The earliest forms of transportation were walking and horseback riding. With the invention of the wheel, humans developed carts and wagons, followed by ships and boats for travel on water. The development of steam engines and railways in the 19th century transformed transportation, allowing for the movement of goods and people on a large scale. In the 20th century, the automobile industry boomed, leading to the development of highways and advanced transportation infrastructure. The 21st century has seen the emergence of electric and self-driving cars as the way forward for transport technology.

Medical Technology

Medical technology refers to the tools and equipment used in healthcare. From surgical instruments to diagnostics to medical imaging, medical technology has played a critical role in improving patient care and saving lives. Medical technology has evolved from simple tools like scalpels, forceps, and stethoscopes to advanced equipment like pacemakers, artificial organs, and robotic surgery devices. Recent advancements in medical technology include the development of 3D printing for prosthetics and implants, as well as the use of AI for diagnostics and personalized medicine.

Energy Technology

Energy technology refers to the systems and tools used in energy production and conservation. The use of fossil fuels for energy production has long been dominant, but the concerns about climate change and environmental degradation have led to the development of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro. Energy storage technology has also emerged as a key area of growth, allowing for the storage of excess energy for use during peak demand periods.

Conclusion

Technology has fundamentally transformed every aspect of human life. From the way we communicate, work, and do business to the way we move, heal, and power our lives, technology has played an essential role in driving progress and innovation. As technology continues to advance, we must strive to balance its benefits with its potential negative impacts, such as social inequality, privacy violations, and environmental degradation. By harnessing technology responsibly, we can shape a better future for all.


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Canada’s science and tech ecosystem will define our success in the next century

The Globe and Mail

23-05-15 12:00


AI-generated disinformation is one of the potential dangers to democracy posed by advanced technologies, according to two Canadian academics. Writing in the Toronto Star, Alan Bernstein and Janice Stein say that AI's impact on warfare highlights the complexities posed by the technology, rendering regulation of it difficult. In order to build a stronger technology ecosystem, they advocate for a recognition of the importance of STEM and digital skills across government departments, for scientists to be given seats at the table alongside policymakers, the private sector and civil society groups, and for difficult choices to be made about different policies.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-canadas-science-and-tech-ecosystem-will-define-our-success-in-the-next/
US consumers keep vehicles for a record 12.5 years on average -S&P

Reuters

23-05-15 11:11


The average age of US combustion-engine cars and light trucks is at a record of 12.5 years as consumers' reduced demand brought about by virus-related supply constraint and inflationary pressures have led Americans to keep hold of their combustion-engine vehicles for longer, according to research by S&P Global Mobility. However, EVs are not reflecting this trend with their average age falling to 3.6 years in 2022, down slightly from 3.7 years in 2021, partly due to US sales rising by 58% last year.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-consumers-keep-vehicles-record-125-years-average-sp-2023-05-15/
Flying car's wind tunnel tests completed by Brazil's upstart Eve

Reuters

23-05-15 11:11


Brazilian electric plane maker Eve Holding has carried out successful wind tunnel testing ahead of producing a flying car concept, revealing its electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL) will have a two-seat cabin and see a top speed of 100 miles per hour. The vehicle has been dubbed a "flying taxi." The testing will help secure certification and enable future production and sales to buyers worldwide said Luiz Valentini, Eve's top technology officer.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/flying-cars-wind-tunnel-tests-completed-by-brazils-upstart-eve-2023-05-15/
Ford says it will reduce costs to boost China business

Reuters

23-05-15 10:23


Ford is looking to cut costs in China as part of its efforts to recover from a sales slump in the world's largest auto market. The company has said that its costs are not competitive and it is looking to reduce them in all areas. Ford has not confirmed reports from Chinese media sources that it is set to cut 1,300 jobs in China. The company is also restructuring its China operations to make one of its ventures an export hub for low-cost electric and combustion vehicles.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-says-it-will-reduce-costs-boost-china-business-2023-05-15/
North Korean hackers stole $721 million in cryptocurrency from Japan - Nikkei

Reuters

23-05-15 10:18


Hacker groups linked to North Korea have snatched cryptocurrency worth $721m from Japan since 2017, according to data from analysis provider Elliptic. The stolen cash comprises about 30% of the global total of illicit cryptocurrency losses, the Nikkei business daily reported. Elliptic also said that the nation had stolen a total of $2.3bn in cryptocurrencies from businesses between 2017 and 2022. The Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors pledged on Saturday to tackle illicit activities by state actors, including the theft of cryptocurrencies.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/north-korean-hackers-stole-721-million-cryptocurrency-japan-nikkei-2023-05-15/
Rakuten shares slump 6% on expected $2.2 bln new share issuance

Reuters

23-05-16 01:02


Shares in Japanese e-commerce and fintech firm Rakuten Group slid by 6% as the firm's board is expected to consider a measure to stave off losses arising from its mobile business. It is believed the company is considering a $2.2bn capital raising that could lead to a share dilution, hence a sell-off. Rakuten Group posted a loss in the last quarter, while it has offloaded its stake in the Seiyu food store chain to private equity firm KKR & Co; it also floated its banking unit last month.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/rakuten-shares-slump-51-early-trading-2023-05-16/
UK policing minister pushes for greater use of facial recognition

Financial Times

23-05-15 23:19


The UK's policing minister, Chris Philp, has called for the national rollout of facial recognition technology across police forces, according to an academic report submitted to parliament on Tuesday. The systems have faced concerns over their legality and accuracy, and the European Union is soon to ban facial recognition in public spaces due to privacy and rights concerns. The report found Philp "expressed his desire to embed facial recognition technology in policing and is considering what more the government can do to support the police on this".

https://www.ft.com/content/b8477e16-349d-442d-8e69-59b328ba9189
OpenAI readies new open-source AI model - The Information

Reuters

23-05-15 22:36


OpenAI is reportedly set to release a new open-source language model, according to an anonymous source cited by The Information. Its ChatGPT models gain popularity in Silicon Valley as investors see generative AI as the next growth area for tech firms. While Microsoft announced a multi-billion dollar investment in OpenAI earlier this year, Alphabet already has its own similar project, Google AI, with Meta Platforms rushing to catch up by also releasing an AI product capable of creating human-like written content. It is not expected that OpenAI's new model will compete with GPT. The firm did not comment on the reports.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-readies-new-open-source-ai-model-information-2023-05-15/
EV startup Arrival's cash and equivalents slump at end of first quarter

Reuters

23-05-15 22:33


British electric vehicle start-up, Arrival, has reported having $130m in cash and cash equivalents at the end of March, down nearly 37% from the end of December. The company has built three vans at its Bicester factory with five more in progress and has announced a merger with blank-cheque firm Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp which will allow Arrival to access up to $283m for building its Charlotte, North Carolina factory and developing its XL van. Earlier in 2020, Arrival said it would focus on the US market, aiming to capitalise on the subsidy package and a larger addressable market.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ev-startup-arrivals-cash-equivalents-slump-end-first-quarter-2023-05-15/
Pershing Square unveils new stake in Alphabet

Reuters

23-05-15 22:29


Billionaire investor William Ackman has bought a new $1.1bn stake in Alphabet, owner of Google, according to a regulatory filing. Ackman's hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management owned 8.1 million class C shares and 2.2 million shares class A of Alphabet at the end of Q1. Ackman had hinted that the new investment had made a positive impact on his portfolio's performance. This is the first high profile investment Ackman has made since he quit public corporate activism for a quieter, behind-the-scenes approach to investing. His hedge fund manages $15.5bn.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/pershing-square-unveils-new-stake-alphabet-2023-05-15/
Nikki Haley details speaking fees, corporate board position in disclosure

Washington Post

23-05-16 05:08


Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the UN and Republican presidential hopeful, made between $1.2m and $12m delivering paid speeches in 2021 before she launched her presidential bid, according to federal election commission filings. The disclosures also revealed a salary of between $50,001 and $100,000 from Great Southern Homes, as well as holdings in several other companies. Financial disclosures from presidential candidates show the value of their income and assets as falling in a range of values, meaning the exact amount of their wealth is difficult to discern.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/16/nikki-haley-financial-disclosure/
The race to bring generative AI to mobile devices

Financial Times

23-05-16 04:22


Advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI) could transform mobile communications and computing at a faster pace than expected, according to the Financial Times. Tech firms have been attempting to embed generative AI into their software and services but faced higher computing costs, and increased internet search users come to expect AI-generated content in standard search results. By running generative AI on mobile handsets, costs could be lowered and services such as chatbots could be far cheaper for companies to run. Smaller, open-source models have made the technology more available to businesses wanting to use generative AI in their own services.

https://www.ft.com/content/6579591d-4469-4b28-81a2-64d1196b44ab
Exclusive: LG Display to supply OLED TV panels to Samsung Elec

Reuters

23-05-16 03:03


South Korea's LG Display has agreed a deal to supply high-end TV panels to Samsung Electronics, which would help the loss-making flat-screen maker turn profitable. LG Display will initially supply 77-inch and 83-inch white OLED (WOLED) TV panels, with Samsung looking to expand in high-end OLED TVs, aiming to overtake Sony as the second largest supplier of OLED TVs worldwide. The deal could help LG Display take its OLED factory to full capacity, as the company has been operating below its full capacity due to a limited customer base and a pandemic-driven demand surge for new TVs tapering off due to soaring inflation and slowing economy.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/lg-display-supply-oled-tv-panels-samsung-elec-sources-2023-05-16/
Tesla’s new car-making process stokes debate among industry experts

Japan Times

23-05-16 02:26


Tesla's new vehicle assembly process aims to rethink conventional manufacturing methods to produce more affordable electric vehicles. The unboxed process said to cut Tesla's production costs in half and reduce the factory footprint by 40%, will only be tested at Tesla's new plant in Monterrey, Mexico by 2024, until then its impact remains unknown to the industry. Critics remain skeptical whether the process could actually contribute to dramatically lower production costs, particularly in view of Musk's history of failing to deliver on production deadlines.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/16/business/tesla-unboxed-assembly-process-analysis/
EU states approve world's first comprehensive crypto rules

Reuters

23-05-16 09:50


The European Union has approved the first set of rules to govern cryptocurrencies, putting pressure on other countries, including the UK and the US, to follow suit. The rules require crypto firms working within the bloc to acquire a licence to deal with tokenised assets, stablecoins and cryptocurrencies. The need for regulation has been highlighted by the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The EU's move has been welcomed by some crypto companies in the sector that want greater regulatory clarity. The US has so far been using existing securities rules to tackle abuse in the space, while Britain has yet to finalise rules for unbacked cryptoassets.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-states-approve-worlds-first-comprehensive-crypto-rules-2023-05-16/
WHO warns against bias, misinformation in using AI in healthcare

Reuters

23-05-16 09:46


The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) could result in bias or misinformation being used to make healthcare decisions. In a statement, the WHO welcomed the potential benefits of the technology but said that the data used to train AI could be misleading or inaccurate. The body called for a thorough assessment of the risks associated with AI, warning that it was "imperative" to protect public health. The use of AI in healthcare has dramatically increased in recent years, promising to revolutionize the sector.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/who-warns-against-bias-misinformation-using-ai-healthcare-2023-05-16/
Futu and Fintech to remove apps from Chinese app stores on regulatory directives - sources

Reuters

23-05-16 09:36


Futu Holding and UP Fintech Holding will withdraw their apps from app stores in mainland China this week on the direction of Chinese regulators. This follows measures by the China Securities Regulatory Commission in December, which banned the two brokerages from seeking new business from mainland investors.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/futu-fintech-remove-apps-chinese-app-stores-regulatory-directives-sources-2023-05-16/
China's Baidu beats quarterly revenue estimates on ad strength

Reuters

23-05-16 09:30


Baidu, the Chinese search engine, saw a 10% increase in revenue in Q1 2021 to ¥31.14bn ($4.54bn), helped by the end of Covid-19 restrictions in China, according to Refinitiv data. Revenue from Baidu Core, which includes search-based ad sales, cloud offerings and autonomous driving initiatives, rose 8% to ¥23bn in the quarter, while revenue at its streaming service iQIYI rose 15% to ¥8.3bn.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-baidu-beats-quarterly-revenue-estimates-ad-strength-2023-05-16/
China's Tencent Music revenue beats estimates on strong user growth

Reuters

23-05-16 09:17


Tencent Music Entertainment, the Spotify-like music streaming platform, beat quarterly revenue estimates due to growth in paying users. The company, which is controlled by Tencent, has been ramping up its original content in order to attract more users and fend off competition from other music streaming platforms, such as Bytedance's Douyin. Paying users rose to 94.4 million from 88.5 million in the prior quarter, while revenues from music subscriptions rose 30.4% year on year. This helped the company to snap five consecutive quarters of revenue declines.

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/chinas-tencent-music-revenue-beats-estimates-strong-user-growth-2023-05-16/