In the 21st century, science and technology have emerged as the driving forces propelling the rapid evolution of our society.
From the instant we awaken to the moment we retire for the night, our lives are intricately interwoven with a multitude of innovations that have fundamentally transformed the way we exist, labour, and engage with our world.
As we greet the day, our trusty phones not only inform us of the time but also serve as portals to a vast digital realm.
In our morning rituals, electric heaters offer warmth and comfort, courtesy of scientific ingenuity. And as we navigate the world, the very vehicles we command are the magnificent fruits of science and technology.
Importance of Science and Technology in our society
There are a lot of ways science and technology impact our world and here are some of them:
1. Digital transformation
Science and technology are not complete without mentioning the digital transformation it has brought the society. The production of smartphones, high-speed internet, and cloud computing has seamlessly changed the way we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves.
This has blurred the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds enabling us to access information and services at our fingertips, it has also connected people emotionally to their loved ones making distance a bare minimum.
There is a lot of digital transformation science and technology have brought, and various apps are being updated, with so many features added. The most recent of these is the AI (Artificial Intelligence) invention, many people believe that AI will replace humankind, but this only explains how technology has advanced to an extent to which it’s now compared to the human brain.
2. Healthcare advancements
The healthcare industry has also garnered significant improvement through science and technology. Today patients have access to cutting-edge treatments, and practitioners have more ways to make the process smooth.
Do you remember going to the hospital and encountering a lot of stories about ‘files’? Science and technology have made it easy for patients’ data to be uploaded to a system database, making it easy to access, saving time and saving lives. Medical breakthroughs, such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR), gene editing, and personalised medicine have also offered hope for treating previously incurable diseases.
3. Sustainable Environment
Addressing the problem of environmental disputes, science and technology are at the forefront of providing solutions.
The rapidly growing population has increased the demand for fossil fuels, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, biotechnology also presents a promising alternative to this through the production of biofuels.
This enhances a sustainable environment with reduced depletion from fossil fuels. Innovations in agriculture and food production are equally helping us feed a growing global population sustainably.
4. Education
Education has grown mightily since the involvement of science and technology. This took a bigger shape during the COVID-19 pandemic; schools resorted to online learning, offering flexibility and accessibility to a global audience.
The digital way of learning gave everyone equal access to various courses and resources, though at the cost of data which everyone may not be able to afford.
The ongoing role of science and technology in shaping our society
Science and technology have been of immense help to us and are, however, shaping the society to a certain standard, some of which includes:
1. Innovation Acceleration
Science and technology continually drive innovation by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Breakthroughs in fields like biotechnology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence (AI) have led to new products, services, and industries. This acceleration of innovation has a profound impact on society, shaping the way we live, work, and communicate.
2. Global Connectivity
Advancements in communication technologies, particularly the internet and mobile devices, have connected people and information across the globe. This connectivity has transformed how we interact, share knowledge, conduct business, and even engage in activism. It’s an ongoing force that fosters cultural exchange and global collaboration.
3. Automation and AI
Automation and AI are revolutionising industries by augmenting or replacing human labour in various tasks. While this boosts efficiency and productivity, it also raises concerns about job displacement and ethical issues. The ongoing development of automation and AI technologies continues to reshape the job market and demands adaptation from individuals and societies.
4. Security Challenges
Great power they say comes with great responsibility. The quick growth of technology has raised ethical concerns, some of which include: defying data privacy, artificial intelligence bias, and consequences of automated communications.
People tend to use these advancements for fraud, and reduced effort towards productivity. These should be carefully considered; dealing with technology in various aspects of our life is cool but balancing it with basic ethics is an ongoing challenge.
Conclusion
science and technology will continue to shape our society. The possibilities are limitless; they have transformed the way we live, work, and interact with each other and the environment. Despite the endless opportunities it offers, we must tread carefully to maintain our society. The future is in our hands, and it’s up to us to mould it in a way best fit for society.
Researched by Opebiyi Olamide
