technology

Technology is the collection of techniques, tools, and processes that people use to solve problems, extend their capabilities, and shape the environment. It encompasses not only physical devices but also the organizational methods and knowledge that enable their creation and use.

Historically, technology has evolved from simple tools in the Stone Age to agricultural and industrial systems, and then to information and digital technology. Each stage has been driven by scientific understanding, resource availability, economic incentives, and social needs. The rapid expansion of computing and communications in the late 20th and early 21st centuries transformed many aspects of daily life and work.

Technology covers a broad range of domains, including information technology, biotechnology, energy and materials science, transportation, and manufacturing. It often integrates hardware, software, and human processes to produce products, services, and infrastructures—such as medical devices, software platforms, power grids, and transportation networks.

Its impacts are wide and varied: productivity and economic growth, new industries and jobs, changes in social interaction, and environmental effects. Issues such as privacy, cybersecurity, inequality of access, and ethical considerations regarding safety and autonomy are central to policy and governance debates.

Future developments are likely to emphasize artificial intelligence, automation, quantum computing, regenerative and clean energy, nanotechnology, and advanced robotics. Ongoing innovation interacts with regulation, education, and cultural values to shape the trajectory of technology and its role in society.