Technology as a tool has become more and more prevalent over time. A person can’t go anywhere without seeing more and more technology enter into how we conduct our transactions and our lives. 

Take the supermarket. You walk in, select what groceries you need, and take them with you to a checker to scan your items or a self-checkout lane to self-scan. Once your items are totaled, you can pay either by cash or with your card or cellphone. 

The gas station is similar. You pull up to a pump and can go inside to pay with cash or card or simply pay at the pump with your phone or card. The entire process is almost entirely automated. 

The internet has changed how people conduct business, get healthcare, and interact socially. 

In fact, technology is slowly taking over many facets of our lives in ways that we are only beginning to understand.

IoT As A Way Of Life

When was the last time you signed up for cable and watched tv at home on traditional networks? If you’re like a growing number of people, cable cutting and streaming content has become the predominant way you get and watch your content. 

Have you seen commercials about a refrigerator notifying its owner about being out of an item? The idea behind physical appliances being connected to the internet is the concept of IoT or the Internet of Things. 

The idea of IoT is a network of physical objects with software and sensors connected to the internet to communicate items of need and give users more control. 

And IoT is a lot more than simply about convenience. For example, items that are connected to the internet can provide life-saving help if needed, such as an older adult that has fallen and can’t move. 

Integrating the internet into all devices in homes and cars will create better connectivity and opportunities for societies. Imagine your refrigerator being able to order groceries for dinner automatically or your washer and dryer being able to order laundry detergent while you’re at work. With the IoT, your devices will become “smarter.”

Social Media

The advent of social media has made the world even more interconnected. The ability to view, watch, and interact with people worldwide has connected societies and people, but it has come at a significant price. 

Also, while social media has made the world more interconnected, it has also created less connectivity through echo chambers where perspectives and opinions can be reinforced without merit. 

Another negative with social media is that teens are subject to cyberbullying, distraction, disrupted sleep patterns, rumor spreading, unrealistic viewpoints of life, and peer pressure. 

Decentralized Finance

People looking to utilize technology for tracking investments have more options today than ever before. 

Investors can buy or sell traditional investments through electronic platforms or invest in digital assets through decentralized finance platforms. 

Decentralized finance, or DeFi, is a peer-to-peer transaction that uses digital assets like cryptocurrency, NFTs, or other digital investments. 

And investors and users of digital assets keep track of their coins’ values and transactions through a DLT, or distributed ledger technology that allows users to verify, execute, and record transactions without an intermediary like a bank or broker. 

The increased usage and acceptance of DeFi as a way to conduct business is rapidly expanding, and experts predict that in the near future, cryptocurrency will be the future of cash. 

Remote Work

The increased reliance on technology will continue to accelerate the definition of work in society. In addition, because of global disruptions caused by the pandemic in 2020, remote work will continue to become more and more prevalent for organizations. 

The advantages of remote work include better productivity among workers, higher job satisfaction (due in no part to the lack of commute time), and lower overhead for businesses to house employees during working hours. 

For businesses that are able and willing to offer remote work to their employees, those advantages should attract and help retain top talent compared to traditional workplaces. 

The increased reliance on technology is accelerating in all phases of life and societies. 

From creating better connectivity and communication to providing more flexible work options, tech is becoming so integrated into our lives that it is almost impossible to imagine living without it.