Tech 393 – Technology In World Civilization Department

Tech 393 – Technology In World Civilization Department of Engineering and Design

For this project, please pick either Option A or Option B. Write your answers to the following questions in Short Essay Format. Be sure to include reasons and facts as required to support your answers. Total length of response for this assignment needs to be a minimum of 2 full pages; maximum response is 3 pages. Use MS Word or its equivalent.

Paper For Above instruction

Option A: The “computer revolution” has brought profound and revolutionary changes to society, occurring rapidly since the mid-20th century. Initially, the word "computer" referred to human calculators or very limited mechanical devices. Post-World War II, modern computers emerged from the work of pioneering individuals in England, Germany, and the United States. The revolution truly began when their work became widely recognized, despite initial perceptions that computers would have limited applications, mainly replacing calculating machines and human operators.

Early perceptions limited the vision of computer technology by focusing solely on its replacements rather than its potential. Historically, inventors of new technologies often failed to see their full societal impact; for example, the inventors of radio initially envisioned it as a wireless telegraph, not broadcasting entertainment or news, and early automobile builders saw the car as a "horseless carriage." Similarly, the creators of computers viewed their inventions through the lens of existing functions they replaced, unable to predict how these machines could enable operations fundamentally different from human computation.

In contemplating the future of computer technology, it is essential to consider current emerging trends, such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, or biotechnology interfaces. These technologies are beginning to reshape society in unprecedented ways. AI, for example, is progressing rapidly, with the potential to automate complex decision-making processes, influence employment patterns, and redefine human interaction with technology.

The ultimate uses of AI might include autonomous transportation, personalized healthcare, enhanced education systems, and even creative arts. AI's capacity for learning and adaptation could lead to systems that autonomously manage cities, optimize energy use, and assist in scientific research. This evolution would deepen the integration of technology into everyday life, thereby transforming societal norms, economic structures, and political frameworks.

The social impacts could be profound: increased productivity, but also potential job displacement; improved healthcare but concerns over privacy; and democratized access to knowledge and services, coupled with risks of surveillance and control. Economically, AI could create new markets and industries, while rendering some traditional roles obsolete. Politically, power dynamics might shift as control over AI systems becomes a critical factor, raising ethical and governance issues.

Nonetheless, these advancements carry both beneficial and harmful potentials. Benefits include enhanced quality of life, efficiency, and connectivity. Conversely, hazards involve increased inequality, loss of privacy, and vulnerability to malicious use of AI—for example, in cyberwarfare or autonomous weaponry.

Imagining the future, AI-driven innovations could lead to a society where humans work alongside intelligent systems, with decision-making distributed across networks that are more efficient and responsive. Such a future necessitates careful regulation and ethical considerations to fully realize benefits while mitigating risks. As history illustrates through technological revolutions, unintended consequences are inevitable, making it critical that society anticipates and guides technological development.

References

• Bostrom, N. (2014). Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.
• Chollet, F. (2019). Deep Learning. MIT Press.
• Kurzweil, R. (2005). The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology. Viking.
• Lee, K. (2018). AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
• Susskind, R., & Susskind, D. (2015). The future of the professions: How technology will transform the work of human experts. Harvard University Press.
• Russell, S., & Norvig, P. (2016). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach. Pearson.
• Harari, Y. N. (2018). 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. Spiehel & Co.
• Schmidt, E., & Rosenberg, J. (2014). How Google Works. Grand Central Publishing.
• Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Floridi, L. (2018). The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Oxford University Press.