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Science, technology and innovation in a 21st century context

• Published: 27 August 2011
• Volume 44 , pages 209–213, ( 2011 )

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• John H. Marburger III 1  

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This editorial essay was prepared by John H. “Jack” Marburger for a workshop on the “science of science and innovation policy” held in 2009 that was the basis for this special issue. It is published posthumously .

Linking the words “science,” “technology,” and “innovation,” may suggest that we know more about how these activities are related than we really do. This very common linkage implicitly conveys a linear progression from scientific research to technology creation to innovative products. More nuanced pictures of these complex activities break them down into components that interact with each other in a multi-dimensional socio-technological-economic network. A few examples will help to make this clear.

Science has always functioned on two levels that we may describe as curiosity-driven and need-driven, and they interact in sometimes surprising ways. Galileo’s telescope, the paradigmatic instrument of discovery in pure science, emerged from an entirely pragmatic tradition of lens-making for eye-glasses. And we should keep in mind that the industrial revolution gave more to science than it received, at least until the last half of the nineteenth century when the sciences of chemistry and electricity began to produce serious economic payoffs. The flowering of science during the era, we call the enlightenment owed much to its links with crafts and industry, but as it gained momentum science created its own need for practical improvements. After all, the frontiers of science are defined by the capabilities of instrumentation, that is, of technology. The needs of pure science are a huge but poorly understood stimulus for technologies that have the capacity to be disruptive precisely because these needs do not arise from the marketplace. The innovators who built the World Wide Web on the foundation of the Internet were particle physicists at CERN, struggling to satisfy their unique need to share complex information. Others soon discovered “needs” of which they had been unaware that could be satisfied by this innovation, and from that point the Web transformed the Internet from a tool for the technological elite into a broad platform for a new kind of economy.

Necessity is said to be the mother of invention, but in all human societies, “necessity” is a mix of culturally conditioned perceptions and the actual physical necessities of life. The concept of need, of what is wanted, is the ultimate driver of markets and an essential dimension of innovation. And as the example of the World Wide Web shows, need is very difficult to identify before it reveals itself in a mass movement. Why did I not know I needed a cell phone before nearly everyone else had one? Because until many others had one I did not, in fact, need one. Innovation has this chicken-and-egg quality that makes it extremely hard to analyze. We all know of visionaries who conceive of a society totally transformed by their invention and who are bitter that the world has not embraced their idea. Sometimes we think of them as crackpots, or simply unrealistic about what it takes to change the world. We practical people necessarily view the world through the filter of what exists, and fail to anticipate disruptive change. Nearly always we are surprised by the rapid acceptance of a transformative idea. If we truly want to encourage innovation through government policies, we are going to have to come to grips with this deep unpredictability of the mass acceptance of a new concept. Works analyzing this phenomenon are widely popular under titles like “ The Tipping Point ” by Gladwell ( 2000 ) or more recently the book by Taleb ( 2007 ) called The Black Swan , among others.

What causes innovations to be adopted and integrated into economies depends on their ability to satisfy some perceived need by consumers, and that perception may be an artifact of marketing, or fashion, or cultural inertia, or ignorance. Some of the largest and most profitable industries in the developed world—entertainment, automobiles, clothing and fashion accessories, health products, children’s toys, grownups’ toys!—depend on perceptions of need that go far beyond the utilitarian and are notoriously difficult to predict. And yet these industries clearly depend on sophisticated and rapidly advancing technologies to compete in the marketplace. Of course, they do not depend only upon technology. Technologies are part of the environment for innovation, or in a popular and very appropriate metaphor—part of the innovation ecology .

This complexity of innovation and its ecology is conveyed in Chapter One of a currently popular best-seller in the United States called Innovation Nation by the American innovation guru, Kao ( 2007 ), formerly on the faculty of the Harvard Business School:

“I define it [innovation],” writes Kao, “as the ability of individuals, companies, and entire nations to continuously create their desired future. Innovation depends on harvesting knowledge from a range of disciplines besides science and technology, among them design, social science, and the arts. And it is exemplified by more than just products; services, experiences, and processes can be innovative as well. The work of entrepreneurs, scientists, and software geeks alike contributes to innovation. It is also about the middlemen who know how to realize value from ideas. Innovation flows from shifts in mind-set that can generate new business models, recognize new opportunities, and weave innovations throughout the fabric of society. It is about new ways of doing and seeing things as much as it is about the breakthrough idea.” (Kao 2007 , p. 19).

This is not your standard government-type definition. Gurus, of course, do not have to worry about leading indicators and predictive measures of policy success. Nevertheless, some policy guidance can be drawn from this high level “definition,” and I will do so later.

The first point, then, is that the structural aspects of “science, technology, and innovation” are imperfectly defined, complex, and poorly understood. There is still much work to do to identify measures, develop models, and test them against actual experience before we can say we really know what it takes to foster innovation. The second point I want to make is about the temporal aspects: all three of these complex activities are changing with time. Science, of course, always changes through the accumulation of knowledge, but it also changes through revolutions in its theoretical structure, through its ever-improving technology, and through its evolving sociology. The technology and sociology of science are currently impacted by a rapidly changing information technology. Technology today flows increasingly from research laboratories but the influence of technology on both science and innovation depends strongly on its commercial adoption, that is, on market forces. Commercial scale manufacturing drives down the costs of technology so it can be exploited in an ever-broadening range of applications. The mass market for precision electro-mechanical devices like cameras, printers, and disk drives is the basis for new scientific instrumentation and also for further generations of products that integrate hundreds of existing components in new devices and business models like the Apple iPod and video games, not to mention improvements in old products like cars and telephones. Innovation is changing too as it expands its scope beyond individual products to include all or parts of systems such as supply chains and inventory control, as in the Wal-Mart phenomenon. Apple’s iPod does not stand alone; it is integrated with iTunes software and novel arrangements with media providers.

With one exception, however, technology changes more slowly than it appears because we encounter basic technology platforms in a wide variety of relatively short-lived products. Technology is like a language that innovators use to express concepts in the form of products, and business models that serve (and sometimes create) a variety of needs, some of which fluctuate with fashion. The exception to the illusion of rapid technology change is the pace of information technology, which is no illusion. It has fulfilled Moore’s Law for more than half a century, and it is a remarkable historical anomaly arising from the systematic exploitation of the understanding of the behavior of microscopic matter following the discovery of quantum mechanics. The pace would be much less without a continually evolving market for the succession of smaller, higher capacity products. It is not at all clear that the market demand will continue to support the increasingly expensive investment in fabrication equipment for each new step up the exponential curve of Moore’s Law. The science is probably available to allow many more capacity doublings if markets can sustain them. Let me digress briefly on this point.

Many science commentators have described the twentieth century as the century of physics and the twenty-first as the century of biology. We now know that is misleading. It is true that our struggle to understand the ultimate constituents of matter has now encompassed (apparently) everything of human scale and relevance, and that the universe of biological phenomena now lies open for systematic investigation and dramatic applications in health, agriculture, and energy production. But there are two additional frontiers of physical science, one already highly productive, the other very intriguing. The first is the frontier of complexity , where physics, chemistry, materials science, biology, and mathematics all come together. This is where nanotechnology and biotechnology reside. These are huge fields that form the core of basic science policy in most developed nations. The basic science of the twenty-first century is neither biology nor physics, but an interdisciplinary mix of these and other traditional fields. Continued development of this domain contributes to information technology and much else. I mentioned two frontiers. The other physical science frontier borders the nearly unexploited domain of quantum coherence phenomena . It is a very large domain and potentially a source of entirely new platform technologies not unlike microelectronics. To say more about this would take me too far from our topic. The point is that nature has many undeveloped physical phenomena to enrich the ecology of innovation and keep us marching along the curve of Moore’s Law if we can afford to do so.

I worry about the psychological impact of the rapid advance of information technology. I believe it has created unrealistic expectations about all technologies and has encouraged a casual attitude among policy makers toward the capability of science and technology to deliver solutions to difficult social problems. This is certainly true of what may be the greatest technical challenge of all time—the delivery of energy to large developed and developing populations without adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The challenge of sustainable energy technology is much more difficult than many people currently seem to appreciate. I am afraid that time will make this clear.

Structural complexities and the intrinsic dynamism of science and technology pose challenges to policy makers, but they seem almost manageable compared with the challenges posed by extrinsic forces. Among these are globalization and the impact of global economic development on the environment. The latter, expressed quite generally through the concept of “sustainability” is likely to be a component of much twenty-first century innovation policy. Measures of development, competitiveness, and innovation need to include sustainability dimensions to be realistic over the long run. Development policies that destroy economically important environmental systems, contribute to harmful global change, and undermine the natural resource basis of the economy are bad policies. Sustainability is now an international issue because the scale of development and the globalization of economies have environmental and natural resource implications that transcend national borders.

From the policy point of view, globalization is a not a new phenomenon. Science has been globalized for centuries, and we ought to be studying it more closely as a model for effective responses to the globalization of our economies. What is striking about science is the strong imperative to share ideas through every conceivable channel to the widest possible audience. If you had to name one chief characteristic of science, it would be empiricism. If you had to name two, the other would be open communication of data and ideas. The power of open communication in science cannot be overestimated. It has established, uniquely among human endeavors, an absolute global standard. And it effectively recruits talent from every part of the globe to labor at the science frontiers. The result has been an extraordinary legacy of understanding of the phenomena that shape our existence. Science is the ultimate example of an open innovation system.

Science practice has received much attention from philosophers, social scientists, and historians during the past half-century, and some of what has been learned holds valuable lessons for policy makers. It is fascinating to me how quickly countries that provide avenues to advanced education are able to participate in world science. The barriers to a small but productive scientific activity appear to be quite low and whether or not a country participates in science appears to be discretionary. A small scientific establishment, however, will not have significant direct economic impact. Its value at early stages of development is indirect, bringing higher performance standards, international recognition, and peer role models for a wider population. A science program of any size is also a link to the rich intellectual resources of the world scientific community. The indirect benefit of scientific research to a developing country far exceeds its direct benefit, and policy needs to recognize this. It is counterproductive to base support for science in such countries on a hoped-for direct economic stimulus.

Keeping in mind that the innovation ecology includes far more than science and technology, it should be obvious that within a small national economy innovation can thrive on a very small indigenous science and technology base. But innovators, like scientists, do require access to technical information and ideas. Consequently, policies favorable to innovation will create access to education and encourage free communication with the world technical community. Anything that encourages awareness of the marketplace and all its actors on every scale will encourage innovation.

This brings me back to John Kao’s definition of innovation. His vision of “the ability of individuals, companies, and entire nations to continuously create their desired future” implies conditions that create that ability, including most importantly educational opportunity (Kao 2007 , p. 19). The notion that “innovation depends on harvesting knowledge from a range of disciplines besides science and technology” implies that innovators must know enough to recognize useful knowledge when they see it, and that they have access to knowledge sources across a spectrum that ranges from news media and the Internet to technical and trade conferences (2007, p. 19). If innovation truly “flows from shifts in mind-set that can generate new business models, recognize new opportunities, and weave innovations throughout the fabric of society,” then the fabric of society must be somewhat loose-knit to accommodate the new ideas (2007, p. 19). Innovation is about risk and change, and deep forces in every society resist both of these. A striking feature of the US innovation ecology is the positive attitude toward failure, an attitude that encourages risk-taking and entrepreneurship.

All this gives us some insight into what policies we need to encourage innovation. Innovation policy is broader than science and technology policy, but the latter must be consistent with the former to produce a healthy innovation ecology. Innovation requires a predictable social structure, an open marketplace, and a business culture amenable to risk and change. It certainly requires an educational infrastructure that produces people with a global awareness and sufficient technical literacy to harvest the fruits of current technology. What innovation does not require is the creation by governments of a system that defines, regulates, or even rewards innovation except through the marketplace or in response to evident success. Some regulation of new products and new ideas is required to protect public health and environmental quality, but innovation needs lots of freedom. Innovative ideas that do not work out should be allowed to die so the innovation community can learn from the experience and replace the failed attempt with something better.

Do we understand innovation well enough to develop policy for it? If the policy addresses very general infrastructure issues such as education, economic, and political stability and the like, the answer is perhaps. If we want to measure the impact of specific programs on innovation, the answer is no. Studies of innovation are at an early stage where anecdotal information and case studies, similar to John Kao’s book—or the books on Business Week’s top ten list of innovation titles—are probably the most useful tools for policy makers.

I have been urging increased attention to what I call the science of science policy —the systematic quantitative study of the subset of our economy called science and technology—including the construction and validation of micro- and macro-economic models for S&T activity. Innovators themselves, and those who finance them, need to identify their needs and the impediments they face. Eventually, we may learn enough to create reliable indicators by which we can judge the health of our innovation ecosystems. The goal is well worth the sustained effort that will be required to achieve it.

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Kao, J. (2007). Innovation nation: How America is losing its innovation edge, why it matters, and what we can do to get it back . New York: Free Press.

Taleb, N. N. (2007). The black swan: The impact of the highly improbable . New York: Random House.

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Marburger, J.H. Science, technology and innovation in a 21st century context. Policy Sci 44 , 209–213 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-011-9137-3

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How Tech Has Changed Our Lives In The Last 10 Years

Several tech experts weigh in on the technologies of the past decade that had the greatest impact on society.

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Innovation in our Life

How it works

Innovation can be defined according to Manuylenko et al. (2015) producing something new, for example, an idea, a device or a product that meet peoples’ essential needs. Similarly, Stenberg (2017) defined innovation as the process of linking ideas and notions, and create unique relationships between current achievements and prior ideas and experience to discover novel and promising solution to future problems.

These definitions of innovation revealed the importance of highlighting the diffusion of innovation theory, according to Dearing and Cox (2018) it tries to convince people with the utilities of innovation in all perspectives of their lives, and it focused on what makes innovation spread with success and acceptance of people and understanding the needs of consumer segments.

This is exactly what Apple Watch should focus on as innovation couldn’t succeed by depending on individual, so this company should focus on certain points in order to disseminate innovation and to be accepted by customers; Robinson (2009) stated two categories of characteristics that make innovation diffused.

First of all, the consumer – dependent characteristics, for example, relative advance which means customers perceive that innovation will produce such as services, goods and products better than the current ones in terms of its ability to develop the customers’ life socially or physically. When the idea is clear, the relative advantage is large so the adoption will need short time. Furthermore, innovation is compatible with the target groups’ values, rituals and culture, so they will easily adopt it without any kind of resistance.

In addition to that, it is simple and easy to use and require less efforts exerted by the customers, it is also less risky and thereby innovation continues, and it will be smoothly adopted by people. Secondly, the consumer – independent characteristics that enhance the diffusion of innovation are the following: trialability , according to Rambocas and Arjoon,2012, trialability is the possibility of attempting the innovation to have a thorough idea about new useful and comfortable things this innovation will provide customers.

If the advantages of the innovation can be easily observed, adoption will occur automatically. Moreover, if the innovation is complex, and consumer couldn’t know how to use it, consumers will not adopt it. In this vein, Apple Watch can easily work in the light of this theory by providing more relative advantages to its customers such as linking next generation of the Watch to customers’ cellular, so they can make and receive calls using the watch, listen to music, chat with their friends, join their online meetings.

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Artificial intelligence and its impact on everyday life

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has woven itself into our daily lives in ways we may not even be aware of. It has become so pervasive that many remain unaware of both its impact and our reliance upon it. 

From morning to night, going about our everyday routines, AI technology drives much of what we do. When we wake, many of us reach for our mobile phone or laptop to start our day. Doing so has become automatic, and integral to how we function in terms of our decision-making, planning and information-seeking.

Once we’ve switched on our devices, we instantly plug into AI functionality such as:

• face ID and image recognition
• social media
• Google search
• digital voice assistants like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa
• online banking
• driving aids – route mapping, traffic updates, weather conditions
• leisure downtime – such as Netflix and Amazon for films and programmes

AI touches every aspect of our personal and professional online lives today. Global communication and interconnectivity in business is, and continues to be, a hugely important area. Capitalising on artificial intelligence and data science is essential, and its potential growth trajectory is limitless.

Whilst AI is accepted as almost commonplace, what exactly is it and how did it originate?

What is artificial intelligence?

AI is the intelligence demonstrated by machines, as opposed to the natural intelligence displayed by both animals and humans. 

The human brain is the most complex organ, controlling all functions of the body and interpreting information from the outside world. Its neural networks comprise approximately 86 billion neurons, all woven together by an estimated 100 trillion synapses. Even now, neuroscientists are yet to unravel and understand many of its ramifications and capabilities. 

The human being is constantly evolving and learning; this mirrors how AI functions at its core. Human intelligence, creativity, knowledge, experience and innovation are the drivers for expansion in current, and future, machine intelligence technologies.

When was artificial intelligence invented?

During the Second World War, work by Alan Turing at Bletchley Park on code-breaking German messages heralded a seminal scientific turning point. His groundbreaking work helped develop some of the basics of computer science. 

By the 1950s, Turing posited whether machines could think for themselves. This radical idea, together with the growing implications of machine learning in problem solving, led to many breakthroughs in the field. Research explored the fundamental possibilities of whether machines could be directed and instructed to:

• apply their own ‘intelligence’ in solving problems like humans.

Computer and cognitive scientists, such as Marvin Minsky and John McCarthy, recognised this potential in the 1950s. Their research, which built on Turing’s, fuelled exponential growth in this area.  Attendees at a 1956 workshop, held at Dartmouth College, USA, laid the foundations for what we now consider the field of AI. Recognised as one of the world’s most prestigious academic research universities, many of those present became artificial intelligence leaders and innovators over the coming decades.

In testimony to his groundbreaking research, the Turing Test – in its updated form – is still applied to today’s AI research, and is used to gauge the measure of success of AI development and projects.

This infographic detailing the history of AI offers a useful snapshot of these main events.

How does artificial intelligence work?

AI is built upon acquiring vast amounts of data. This data can then be manipulated to determine knowledge, patterns and insights. The aim is to create and build upon all these blocks, applying the results to new and unfamiliar scenarios.

Such technology relies on advanced machine learning algorithms and extremely high-level programming, datasets, databases and computer architecture. The success of specific tasks is, amongst other things, down to computational thinking, software engineering and a focus on problem solving.

Artificial intelligence comes in many forms, ranging from simple tools like chatbots in customer services applications, through to complex machine learning systems for huge business organisations. The field is vast, incorporating technologies such as:

• Machine Learning (ML) . Using algorithms and statistical models, ML refers to computer systems which are able to learn and adapt without following explicit instructions. In ML, inferences and analysis are discerned in data patterns, split into three main types: supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning.
• Narrow AI . This is integral to modern computer systems, referring to those which have been taught, or have learned, to undertake specific tasks without being explicitly programmed to do so. Examples of narrow AI include: virtual assistants on mobile phones, such as those found on Apple iPhone and Android personal assistants on Google Assistant; and recommendation engines which make suggestions based on search or buying history.
• Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). At times, the worlds of science fiction and reality appear to blur. Hypothetically, AGI – exemplified by the robots in programmes such as Westworld, The Matrix, and Star Trek – has come to represent the ability of intelligent machines which understand and learn any task or process usually undertaken by a human being.
• Strong AI. This term is often used interchangeably with AGI. However, some artificial intelligence academics and researchers believe it should apply only once machines achieve sentience or consciousness.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP). This is a challenging area of AI within computer science, as it requires enormous amounts of data. Expert systems and data interpretation are required to teach intelligent machines how to understand the way in which humans write and speak. NLP applications are increasingly used, for example, within healthcare and call centre settings.
• Deepmind. As major technology organisations seek to capture the machine learning market, they are developing cloud services to tap into sectors such as leisure and recreation. For example, Google’s Deepmind has created a computer programme, AlphaGo, to play the board game Go, whereas IBM’s Watson is a super-computer which famously took part in a televised Watson and Jeopardy! Challenge. Using NLP, Watson answered questions with identifiable speech recognition and response, causing a stir in public awareness regarding the potential future of AI.

Artificial intelligence career prospects

Automation, data science and the use of AI will only continue to expand. Forecasts for the data analytics industry up to 2023 predict exponential expansion in the big data gathering sector. In The Global Big Data Analytics Forecast to 2023, Frost and Sullivan project growth at 29.7%, worth a staggering $40.6 billion.

As such, there exists much as-yet-untapped potential, with growing career prospects. Many top employers seek professionals with the skills, expertise and knowledge to propel their organisational aims forward. Career pathways may include:

• Robotics and self-driving /autonomous cars (such as Waymo, Nissan, Renault)
• Healthcare (for instance, multiple applications in genetic sequencing research, treating tumours, and developing tools to speed up diagnoses including Alzheimer’s disease)
• Academia (leading universities in AI research include MIT, Stanford, Harvard and Cambridge)
• Retail (AmazonGo shops and other innovative shopping options)

What is certain is that with every technological shift, new jobs and careers will be created to replace those lost.

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Example Of Essay On Change And Innovation

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Organization , Management , Training , Workplace , Innovation , Human Resource Management , Development , Employee

Published: 03/21/2020

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CHANGE AND INNOVATION

Introduction Change and innovation is inevitable for any business, due to different marketing strategies, competition and creativity. It is very essential that any innovation need to be managed well to make it successful. When change is managed well people get accommodated faster. The change may sometimes involve a new way of working. In the case of the health care organization considered, the decision to make use of electronic medical records would bring about a transition in the way the work is carried out. The changes can be implemented by preparing adequately and by effectively communicating to all the people involved.

Managing change and innovation

Change management programs should be conducted to create awareness about the change that has been planned by the organization. It needs to be supportive and should address the concerns of the employees. Strong leadership helps to develop positive attitude and optimize individual performance. The implementation of necessary changes in the health care organization requires adequate costs and proper planning. The software needs to be constructed and proper training has to be given to the employees. Individuals have to be informed about the changes .They need to be fully aware of the change the company is planning as well as what is expected from them. The employees need to be addressed effectively to make them understand the need for the change. Different problem solving techniques as well as efficient leadership based on trust would help to convince individuals. They should be made to understand the advantages of the electronic records as to the availability and accessibility of the data. Resistance occurs due to lack of knowledge to operate. This can be solved by giving proper training. The different techniques to manage change are to gradually introduce the change. The stress in transition can be avoided by giving proper training to make people feel confident to handle the changes. Technology can help to make certain tasks easy. Hence jobs can be done by different grades of staff. This can reduce the requirement of additional staff. It also helps in better communication.

Why employees resist organizational change

Fear of failure: There is always a fear to accept the change because of the insecurity of not being able to achieve as much as the past.

Reluctant to change habits: People prefer to be comfortable doing the same routine

Considers unwanted: Employees look at personal benefits rather than the organization as a whole. Not open to changes: Some people would not want to change the working pattern .they don’t want to learn or get trained. They consider the change as not productive.

The impact on individuals: The doubts and fear of the change make the people concerned about their well-being.

A proper understanding of the reasons to resist change can help to make people understand the need for change. The initial resistance can be changed through proper communication and understanding The resistance to change can be overcome by regular updated communication about the changes that are to be implemented. The goal of the strategy must be understood. The employees must be made to participate in the implementation of the new business strategy. This would make workers feel responsible and understand the change (Lucas, 1974)

Role of human resource in managing change

Human resource plays a vital role in a change management process. People can be effectively managed by the senior managers by providing financial support as well as showing interest in their welfare. A motivational environment created by the senior managers’ help to make the employees accept changes positively. The selection of staff having the right attitude has a positive impact on the organization. It helps to advice the project leaders about the available skills. The impact of change is assessed in different departments. It helps to identify training requirements, new working practices and negotiates with stakeholders to understand problems. They provide data on employees with regards to the change .They have data to analyze and allocate human capital (Boudreau and Ramstad, 2003) Human capital management is understood by the HR therefore it can give details about employee’s attitudes for proper development of skills. Acceptance of constructive criticism and regular feedback from the employees can improve their job efficiency.

Change is a continuing process and has to be implemented for the development of an organization. Change can affect individuals in different ways. The uncertainties can bring stress to people. Effective communication with regular updates of the change process will help to alleviate anxiety and fear. Good leadership encourages workers to accept change. Introducing new technologies makes significant difference to the quality and quantity of work done with accuracy and efficiency as an added advantage. Training has to be given before the installation of software to develop confidence to handle technological changes. Change in an organization can be managed well when the appropriate strategy is implemented.

Boudreau, J. W. and Ramstad, P. M. (2003). Strategic HRM Measurement in the21stCentury: From Justifying HR to Strategic Talent Leadership. In HRM in the 21stCentury, Marshall Goldsmith, Robert P. Gandossy and Marc S. Efron (eds.), 79-90. New York: John Wiley. Lucas,H.C.,Jr (1974).Toward creative system design. New York: Columbia University press.

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How artificial intelligence is transforming the world

Subscribe to techstream, darrell m. west and darrell m. west senior fellow - center for technology innovation , douglas dillon chair in governmental studies john r. allen john r. allen.

April 24, 2018

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging tool that enables people to rethink how we integrate information, analyze data, and use the resulting insights to improve decision making—and already it is transforming every walk of life. In this report, Darrell West and John Allen discuss AI’s application across a variety of sectors, address issues in its development, and offer recommendations for getting the most out of AI while still protecting important human values.

Table of Contents I. Qualities of artificial intelligence II. Applications in diverse sectors III. Policy, regulatory, and ethical issues IV. Recommendations V. Conclusion

• 49 min read

Most people are not very familiar with the concept of artificial intelligence (AI). As an illustration, when 1,500 senior business leaders in the United States in 2017 were asked about AI, only 17 percent said they were familiar with it. 1 A number of them were not sure what it was or how it would affect their particular companies. They understood there was considerable potential for altering business processes, but were not clear how AI could be deployed within their own organizations.

Despite its widespread lack of familiarity, AI is a technology that is transforming every walk of life. It is a wide-ranging tool that enables people to rethink how we integrate information, analyze data, and use the resulting insights to improve decisionmaking. Our hope through this comprehensive overview is to explain AI to an audience of policymakers, opinion leaders, and interested observers, and demonstrate how AI already is altering the world and raising important questions for society, the economy, and governance.

In this paper, we discuss novel applications in finance, national security, health care, criminal justice, transportation, and smart cities, and address issues such as data access problems, algorithmic bias, AI ethics and transparency, and legal liability for AI decisions. We contrast the regulatory approaches of the U.S. and European Union, and close by making a number of recommendations for getting the most out of AI while still protecting important human values. 2

In order to maximize AI benefits, we recommend nine steps for going forward:

• Encourage greater data access for researchers without compromising users’ personal privacy,
• invest more government funding in unclassified AI research,
• promote new models of digital education and AI workforce development so employees have the skills needed in the 21 st -century economy,
• create a federal AI advisory committee to make policy recommendations,
• engage with state and local officials so they enact effective policies,
• regulate broad AI principles rather than specific algorithms,
• take bias complaints seriously so AI does not replicate historic injustice, unfairness, or discrimination in data or algorithms,
• maintain mechanisms for human oversight and control, and
• penalize malicious AI behavior and promote cybersecurity.

Qualities of artificial intelligence

Although there is no uniformly agreed upon definition, AI generally is thought to refer to “machines that respond to stimulation consistent with traditional responses from humans, given the human capacity for contemplation, judgment and intention.” 3  According to researchers Shubhendu and Vijay, these software systems “make decisions which normally require [a] human level of expertise” and help people anticipate problems or deal with issues as they come up. 4 As such, they operate in an intentional, intelligent, and adaptive manner.

Intentionality

Artificial intelligence algorithms are designed to make decisions, often using real-time data. They are unlike passive machines that are capable only of mechanical or predetermined responses. Using sensors, digital data, or remote inputs, they combine information from a variety of different sources, analyze the material instantly, and act on the insights derived from those data. With massive improvements in storage systems, processing speeds, and analytic techniques, they are capable of tremendous sophistication in analysis and decisionmaking.

Artificial intelligence is already altering the world and raising important questions for society, the economy, and governance.

Intelligence

AI generally is undertaken in conjunction with machine learning and data analytics. 5 Machine learning takes data and looks for underlying trends. If it spots something that is relevant for a practical problem, software designers can take that knowledge and use it to analyze specific issues. All that is required are data that are sufficiently robust that algorithms can discern useful patterns. Data can come in the form of digital information, satellite imagery, visual information, text, or unstructured data.

Adaptability

AI systems have the ability to learn and adapt as they make decisions. In the transportation area, for example, semi-autonomous vehicles have tools that let drivers and vehicles know about upcoming congestion, potholes, highway construction, or other possible traffic impediments. Vehicles can take advantage of the experience of other vehicles on the road, without human involvement, and the entire corpus of their achieved “experience” is immediately and fully transferable to other similarly configured vehicles. Their advanced algorithms, sensors, and cameras incorporate experience in current operations, and use dashboards and visual displays to present information in real time so human drivers are able to make sense of ongoing traffic and vehicular conditions. And in the case of fully autonomous vehicles, advanced systems can completely control the car or truck, and make all the navigational decisions.

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Applications in diverse sectors

AI is not a futuristic vision, but rather something that is here today and being integrated with and deployed into a variety of sectors. This includes fields such as finance, national security, health care, criminal justice, transportation, and smart cities. There are numerous examples where AI already is making an impact on the world and augmenting human capabilities in significant ways. 6

One of the reasons for the growing role of AI is the tremendous opportunities for economic development that it presents. A project undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCoopers estimated that “artificial intelligence technologies could increase global GDP by $15.7 trillion, a full 14%, by 2030.” 7 That includes advances of $7 trillion in China, $3.7 trillion in North America, $1.8 trillion in Northern Europe, $1.2 trillion for Africa and Oceania, $0.9 trillion in the rest of Asia outside of China, $0.7 trillion in Southern Europe, and $0.5 trillion in Latin America. China is making rapid strides because it has set a national goal of investing $150 billion in AI and becoming the global leader in this area by 2030.

Meanwhile, a McKinsey Global Institute study of China found that “AI-led automation can give the Chinese economy a productivity injection that would add 0.8 to 1.4 percentage points to GDP growth annually, depending on the speed of adoption.” 8 Although its authors found that China currently lags the United States and the United Kingdom in AI deployment, the sheer size of its AI market gives that country tremendous opportunities for pilot testing and future development.

Investments in financial AI in the United States tripled between 2013 and 2014 to a total of $12.2 billion. 9 According to observers in that sector, “Decisions about loans are now being made by software that can take into account a variety of finely parsed data about a borrower, rather than just a credit score and a background check.” 10 In addition, there are so-called robo-advisers that “create personalized investment portfolios, obviating the need for stockbrokers and financial advisers.” 11 These advances are designed to take the emotion out of investing and undertake decisions based on analytical considerations, and make these choices in a matter of minutes.

A prominent example of this is taking place in stock exchanges, where high-frequency trading by machines has replaced much of human decisionmaking. People submit buy and sell orders, and computers match them in the blink of an eye without human intervention. Machines can spot trading inefficiencies or market differentials on a very small scale and execute trades that make money according to investor instructions. 12 Powered in some places by advanced computing, these tools have much greater capacities for storing information because of their emphasis not on a zero or a one, but on “quantum bits” that can store multiple values in each location. 13 That dramatically increases storage capacity and decreases processing times.

Fraud detection represents another way AI is helpful in financial systems. It sometimes is difficult to discern fraudulent activities in large organizations, but AI can identify abnormalities, outliers, or deviant cases requiring additional investigation. That helps managers find problems early in the cycle, before they reach dangerous levels. 14

National security

AI plays a substantial role in national defense. Through its Project Maven, the American military is deploying AI “to sift through the massive troves of data and video captured by surveillance and then alert human analysts of patterns or when there is abnormal or suspicious activity.” 15 According to Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, the goal of emerging technologies in this area is “to meet our warfighters’ needs and to increase [the] speed and agility [of] technology development and procurement.” 16

Artificial intelligence will accelerate the traditional process of warfare so rapidly that a new term has been coined: hyperwar.

The big data analytics associated with AI will profoundly affect intelligence analysis, as massive amounts of data are sifted in near real time—if not eventually in real time—thereby providing commanders and their staffs a level of intelligence analysis and productivity heretofore unseen. Command and control will similarly be affected as human commanders delegate certain routine, and in special circumstances, key decisions to AI platforms, reducing dramatically the time associated with the decision and subsequent action. In the end, warfare is a time competitive process, where the side able to decide the fastest and move most quickly to execution will generally prevail. Indeed, artificially intelligent intelligence systems, tied to AI-assisted command and control systems, can move decision support and decisionmaking to a speed vastly superior to the speeds of the traditional means of waging war. So fast will be this process, especially if coupled to automatic decisions to launch artificially intelligent autonomous weapons systems capable of lethal outcomes, that a new term has been coined specifically to embrace the speed at which war will be waged: hyperwar.

While the ethical and legal debate is raging over whether America will ever wage war with artificially intelligent autonomous lethal systems, the Chinese and Russians are not nearly so mired in this debate, and we should anticipate our need to defend against these systems operating at hyperwar speeds. The challenge in the West of where to position “humans in the loop” in a hyperwar scenario will ultimately dictate the West’s capacity to be competitive in this new form of conflict. 17

Just as AI will profoundly affect the speed of warfare, the proliferation of zero day or zero second cyber threats as well as polymorphic malware will challenge even the most sophisticated signature-based cyber protection. This forces significant improvement to existing cyber defenses. Increasingly, vulnerable systems are migrating, and will need to shift to a layered approach to cybersecurity with cloud-based, cognitive AI platforms. This approach moves the community toward a “thinking” defensive capability that can defend networks through constant training on known threats. This capability includes DNA-level analysis of heretofore unknown code, with the possibility of recognizing and stopping inbound malicious code by recognizing a string component of the file. This is how certain key U.S.-based systems stopped the debilitating “WannaCry” and “Petya” viruses.

Preparing for hyperwar and defending critical cyber networks must become a high priority because China, Russia, North Korea, and other countries are putting substantial resources into AI. In 2017, China’s State Council issued a plan for the country to “build a domestic industry worth almost $150 billion” by 2030. 18 As an example of the possibilities, the Chinese search firm Baidu has pioneered a facial recognition application that finds missing people. In addition, cities such as Shenzhen are providing up to $1 million to support AI labs. That country hopes AI will provide security, combat terrorism, and improve speech recognition programs. 19 The dual-use nature of many AI algorithms will mean AI research focused on one sector of society can be rapidly modified for use in the security sector as well. 20

Health care

AI tools are helping designers improve computational sophistication in health care. For example, Merantix is a German company that applies deep learning to medical issues. It has an application in medical imaging that “detects lymph nodes in the human body in Computer Tomography (CT) images.” 21 According to its developers, the key is labeling the nodes and identifying small lesions or growths that could be problematic. Humans can do this, but radiologists charge $100 per hour and may be able to carefully read only four images an hour. If there were 10,000 images, the cost of this process would be $250,000, which is prohibitively expensive if done by humans.

What deep learning can do in this situation is train computers on data sets to learn what a normal-looking versus an irregular-appearing lymph node is. After doing that through imaging exercises and honing the accuracy of the labeling, radiological imaging specialists can apply this knowledge to actual patients and determine the extent to which someone is at risk of cancerous lymph nodes. Since only a few are likely to test positive, it is a matter of identifying the unhealthy versus healthy node.

AI has been applied to congestive heart failure as well, an illness that afflicts 10 percent of senior citizens and costs $35 billion each year in the United States. AI tools are helpful because they “predict in advance potential challenges ahead and allocate resources to patient education, sensing, and proactive interventions that keep patients out of the hospital.” 22

Criminal justice

AI is being deployed in the criminal justice area. The city of Chicago has developed an AI-driven “Strategic Subject List” that analyzes people who have been arrested for their risk of becoming future perpetrators. It ranks 400,000 people on a scale of 0 to 500, using items such as age, criminal activity, victimization, drug arrest records, and gang affiliation. In looking at the data, analysts found that youth is a strong predictor of violence, being a shooting victim is associated with becoming a future perpetrator, gang affiliation has little predictive value, and drug arrests are not significantly associated with future criminal activity. 23

Judicial experts claim AI programs reduce human bias in law enforcement and leads to a fairer sentencing system. R Street Institute Associate Caleb Watney writes:

Empirically grounded questions of predictive risk analysis play to the strengths of machine learning, automated reasoning and other forms of AI. One machine-learning policy simulation concluded that such programs could be used to cut crime up to 24.8 percent with no change in jailing rates, or reduce jail populations by up to 42 percent with no increase in crime rates. 24

However, critics worry that AI algorithms represent “a secret system to punish citizens for crimes they haven’t yet committed. The risk scores have been used numerous times to guide large-scale roundups.” 25 The fear is that such tools target people of color unfairly and have not helped Chicago reduce the murder wave that has plagued it in recent years.

Despite these concerns, other countries are moving ahead with rapid deployment in this area. In China, for example, companies already have “considerable resources and access to voices, faces and other biometric data in vast quantities, which would help them develop their technologies.” 26 New technologies make it possible to match images and voices with other types of information, and to use AI on these combined data sets to improve law enforcement and national security. Through its “Sharp Eyes” program, Chinese law enforcement is matching video images, social media activity, online purchases, travel records, and personal identity into a “police cloud.” This integrated database enables authorities to keep track of criminals, potential law-breakers, and terrorists. 27 Put differently, China has become the world’s leading AI-powered surveillance state.

Transportation

Transportation represents an area where AI and machine learning are producing major innovations. Research by Cameron Kerry and Jack Karsten of the Brookings Institution has found that over $80 billion was invested in autonomous vehicle technology between August 2014 and June 2017. Those investments include applications both for autonomous driving and the core technologies vital to that sector. 28

Autonomous vehicles—cars, trucks, buses, and drone delivery systems—use advanced technological capabilities. Those features include automated vehicle guidance and braking, lane-changing systems, the use of cameras and sensors for collision avoidance, the use of AI to analyze information in real time, and the use of high-performance computing and deep learning systems to adapt to new circumstances through detailed maps. 29

Light detection and ranging systems (LIDARs) and AI are key to navigation and collision avoidance. LIDAR systems combine light and radar instruments. They are mounted on the top of vehicles that use imaging in a 360-degree environment from a radar and light beams to measure the speed and distance of surrounding objects. Along with sensors placed on the front, sides, and back of the vehicle, these instruments provide information that keeps fast-moving cars and trucks in their own lane, helps them avoid other vehicles, applies brakes and steering when needed, and does so instantly so as to avoid accidents.

Advanced software enables cars to learn from the experiences of other vehicles on the road and adjust their guidance systems as weather, driving, or road conditions change. This means that software is the key—not the physical car or truck itself.

Since these cameras and sensors compile a huge amount of information and need to process it instantly to avoid the car in the next lane, autonomous vehicles require high-performance computing, advanced algorithms, and deep learning systems to adapt to new scenarios. This means that software is the key, not the physical car or truck itself. 30 Advanced software enables cars to learn from the experiences of other vehicles on the road and adjust their guidance systems as weather, driving, or road conditions change. 31

Ride-sharing companies are very interested in autonomous vehicles. They see advantages in terms of customer service and labor productivity. All of the major ride-sharing companies are exploring driverless cars. The surge of car-sharing and taxi services—such as Uber and Lyft in the United States, Daimler’s Mytaxi and Hailo service in Great Britain, and Didi Chuxing in China—demonstrate the opportunities of this transportation option. Uber recently signed an agreement to purchase 24,000 autonomous cars from Volvo for its ride-sharing service. 32

However, the ride-sharing firm suffered a setback in March 2018 when one of its autonomous vehicles in Arizona hit and killed a pedestrian. Uber and several auto manufacturers immediately suspended testing and launched investigations into what went wrong and how the fatality could have occurred. 33 Both industry and consumers want reassurance that the technology is safe and able to deliver on its stated promises. Unless there are persuasive answers, this accident could slow AI advancements in the transportation sector.

Smart cities

Metropolitan governments are using AI to improve urban service delivery. For example, according to Kevin Desouza, Rashmi Krishnamurthy, and Gregory Dawson:

The Cincinnati Fire Department is using data analytics to optimize medical emergency responses. The new analytics system recommends to the dispatcher an appropriate response to a medical emergency call—whether a patient can be treated on-site or needs to be taken to the hospital—by taking into account several factors, such as the type of call, location, weather, and similar calls. 34

Since it fields 80,000 requests each year, Cincinnati officials are deploying this technology to prioritize responses and determine the best ways to handle emergencies. They see AI as a way to deal with large volumes of data and figure out efficient ways of responding to public requests. Rather than address service issues in an ad hoc manner, authorities are trying to be proactive in how they provide urban services.

Cincinnati is not alone. A number of metropolitan areas are adopting smart city applications that use AI to improve service delivery, environmental planning, resource management, energy utilization, and crime prevention, among other things. For its smart cities index, the magazine Fast Company ranked American locales and found Seattle, Boston, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and New York City as the top adopters. Seattle, for example, has embraced sustainability and is using AI to manage energy usage and resource management. Boston has launched a “City Hall To Go” that makes sure underserved communities receive needed public services. It also has deployed “cameras and inductive loops to manage traffic and acoustic sensors to identify gun shots.” San Francisco has certified 203 buildings as meeting LEED sustainability standards. 35

Through these and other means, metropolitan areas are leading the country in the deployment of AI solutions. Indeed, according to a National League of Cities report, 66 percent of American cities are investing in smart city technology. Among the top applications noted in the report are “smart meters for utilities, intelligent traffic signals, e-governance applications, Wi-Fi kiosks, and radio frequency identification sensors in pavement.” 36

Policy, regulatory, and ethical issues

These examples from a variety of sectors demonstrate how AI is transforming many walks of human existence. The increasing penetration of AI and autonomous devices into many aspects of life is altering basic operations and decisionmaking within organizations, and improving efficiency and response times.

At the same time, though, these developments raise important policy, regulatory, and ethical issues. For example, how should we promote data access? How do we guard against biased or unfair data used in algorithms? What types of ethical principles are introduced through software programming, and how transparent should designers be about their choices? What about questions of legal liability in cases where algorithms cause harm? 37

The increasing penetration of AI into many aspects of life is altering decisionmaking within organizations and improving efficiency. At the same time, though, these developments raise important policy, regulatory, and ethical issues.

Data access problems

The key to getting the most out of AI is having a “data-friendly ecosystem with unified standards and cross-platform sharing.” AI depends on data that can be analyzed in real time and brought to bear on concrete problems. Having data that are “accessible for exploration” in the research community is a prerequisite for successful AI development. 38

According to a McKinsey Global Institute study, nations that promote open data sources and data sharing are the ones most likely to see AI advances. In this regard, the United States has a substantial advantage over China. Global ratings on data openness show that U.S. ranks eighth overall in the world, compared to 93 for China. 39

But right now, the United States does not have a coherent national data strategy. There are few protocols for promoting research access or platforms that make it possible to gain new insights from proprietary data. It is not always clear who owns data or how much belongs in the public sphere. These uncertainties limit the innovation economy and act as a drag on academic research. In the following section, we outline ways to improve data access for researchers.

Biases in data and algorithms

In some instances, certain AI systems are thought to have enabled discriminatory or biased practices. 40 For example, Airbnb has been accused of having homeowners on its platform who discriminate against racial minorities. A research project undertaken by the Harvard Business School found that “Airbnb users with distinctly African American names were roughly 16 percent less likely to be accepted as guests than those with distinctly white names.” 41

Racial issues also come up with facial recognition software. Most such systems operate by comparing a person’s face to a range of faces in a large database. As pointed out by Joy Buolamwini of the Algorithmic Justice League, “If your facial recognition data contains mostly Caucasian faces, that’s what your program will learn to recognize.” 42 Unless the databases have access to diverse data, these programs perform poorly when attempting to recognize African-American or Asian-American features.

Many historical data sets reflect traditional values, which may or may not represent the preferences wanted in a current system. As Buolamwini notes, such an approach risks repeating inequities of the past:

The rise of automation and the increased reliance on algorithms for high-stakes decisions such as whether someone get insurance or not, your likelihood to default on a loan or somebody’s risk of recidivism means this is something that needs to be addressed. Even admissions decisions are increasingly automated—what school our children go to and what opportunities they have. We don’t have to bring the structural inequalities of the past into the future we create. 43

AI ethics and transparency

Algorithms embed ethical considerations and value choices into program decisions. As such, these systems raise questions concerning the criteria used in automated decisionmaking. Some people want to have a better understanding of how algorithms function and what choices are being made. 44

In the United States, many urban schools use algorithms for enrollment decisions based on a variety of considerations, such as parent preferences, neighborhood qualities, income level, and demographic background. According to Brookings researcher Jon Valant, the New Orleans–based Bricolage Academy “gives priority to economically disadvantaged applicants for up to 33 percent of available seats. In practice, though, most cities have opted for categories that prioritize siblings of current students, children of school employees, and families that live in school’s broad geographic area.” 45 Enrollment choices can be expected to be very different when considerations of this sort come into play.

Depending on how AI systems are set up, they can facilitate the redlining of mortgage applications, help people discriminate against individuals they don’t like, or help screen or build rosters of individuals based on unfair criteria. The types of considerations that go into programming decisions matter a lot in terms of how the systems operate and how they affect customers. 46

For these reasons, the EU is implementing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018. The rules specify that people have “the right to opt out of personally tailored ads” and “can contest ‘legal or similarly significant’ decisions made by algorithms and appeal for human intervention” in the form of an explanation of how the algorithm generated a particular outcome. Each guideline is designed to ensure the protection of personal data and provide individuals with information on how the “black box” operates. 47

Legal liability

There are questions concerning the legal liability of AI systems. If there are harms or infractions (or fatalities in the case of driverless cars), the operators of the algorithm likely will fall under product liability rules. A body of case law has shown that the situation’s facts and circumstances determine liability and influence the kind of penalties that are imposed. Those can range from civil fines to imprisonment for major harms. 48 The Uber-related fatality in Arizona will be an important test case for legal liability. The state actively recruited Uber to test its autonomous vehicles and gave the company considerable latitude in terms of road testing. It remains to be seen if there will be lawsuits in this case and who is sued: the human backup driver, the state of Arizona, the Phoenix suburb where the accident took place, Uber, software developers, or the auto manufacturer. Given the multiple people and organizations involved in the road testing, there are many legal questions to be resolved.

In non-transportation areas, digital platforms often have limited liability for what happens on their sites. For example, in the case of Airbnb, the firm “requires that people agree to waive their right to sue, or to join in any class-action lawsuit or class-action arbitration, to use the service.” By demanding that its users sacrifice basic rights, the company limits consumer protections and therefore curtails the ability of people to fight discrimination arising from unfair algorithms. 49 But whether the principle of neutral networks holds up in many sectors is yet to be determined on a widespread basis.

Recommendations

In order to balance innovation with basic human values, we propose a number of recommendations for moving forward with AI. This includes improving data access, increasing government investment in AI, promoting AI workforce development, creating a federal advisory committee, engaging with state and local officials to ensure they enact effective policies, regulating broad objectives as opposed to specific algorithms, taking bias seriously as an AI issue, maintaining mechanisms for human control and oversight, and penalizing malicious behavior and promoting cybersecurity.

Improving data access

The United States should develop a data strategy that promotes innovation and consumer protection. Right now, there are no uniform standards in terms of data access, data sharing, or data protection. Almost all the data are proprietary in nature and not shared very broadly with the research community, and this limits innovation and system design. AI requires data to test and improve its learning capacity. 50 Without structured and unstructured data sets, it will be nearly impossible to gain the full benefits of artificial intelligence.

In general, the research community needs better access to government and business data, although with appropriate safeguards to make sure researchers do not misuse data in the way Cambridge Analytica did with Facebook information. There is a variety of ways researchers could gain data access. One is through voluntary agreements with companies holding proprietary data. Facebook, for example, recently announced a partnership with Stanford economist Raj Chetty to use its social media data to explore inequality. 51 As part of the arrangement, researchers were required to undergo background checks and could only access data from secured sites in order to protect user privacy and security.

In the U.S., there are no uniform standards in terms of data access, data sharing, or data protection. Almost all the data are proprietary in nature and not shared very broadly with the research community, and this limits innovation and system design.

Google long has made available search results in aggregated form for researchers and the general public. Through its “Trends” site, scholars can analyze topics such as interest in Trump, views about democracy, and perspectives on the overall economy. 52 That helps people track movements in public interest and identify topics that galvanize the general public.

Twitter makes much of its tweets available to researchers through application programming interfaces, commonly referred to as APIs. These tools help people outside the company build application software and make use of data from its social media platform. They can study patterns of social media communications and see how people are commenting on or reacting to current events.

In some sectors where there is a discernible public benefit, governments can facilitate collaboration by building infrastructure that shares data. For example, the National Cancer Institute has pioneered a data-sharing protocol where certified researchers can query health data it has using de-identified information drawn from clinical data, claims information, and drug therapies. That enables researchers to evaluate efficacy and effectiveness, and make recommendations regarding the best medical approaches, without compromising the privacy of individual patients.

There could be public-private data partnerships that combine government and business data sets to improve system performance. For example, cities could integrate information from ride-sharing services with its own material on social service locations, bus lines, mass transit, and highway congestion to improve transportation. That would help metropolitan areas deal with traffic tie-ups and assist in highway and mass transit planning.

Some combination of these approaches would improve data access for researchers, the government, and the business community, without impinging on personal privacy. As noted by Ian Buck, the vice president of NVIDIA, “Data is the fuel that drives the AI engine. The federal government has access to vast sources of information. Opening access to that data will help us get insights that will transform the U.S. economy.” 53 Through its Data.gov portal, the federal government already has put over 230,000 data sets into the public domain, and this has propelled innovation and aided improvements in AI and data analytic technologies. 54 The private sector also needs to facilitate research data access so that society can achieve the full benefits of artificial intelligence.

Increase government investment in AI

According to Greg Brockman, the co-founder of OpenAI, the U.S. federal government invests only $1.1 billion in non-classified AI technology. 55 That is far lower than the amount being spent by China or other leading nations in this area of research. That shortfall is noteworthy because the economic payoffs of AI are substantial. In order to boost economic development and social innovation, federal officials need to increase investment in artificial intelligence and data analytics. Higher investment is likely to pay for itself many times over in economic and social benefits. 56

Promote digital education and workforce development

As AI applications accelerate across many sectors, it is vital that we reimagine our educational institutions for a world where AI will be ubiquitous and students need a different kind of training than they currently receive. Right now, many students do not receive instruction in the kinds of skills that will be needed in an AI-dominated landscape. For example, there currently are shortages of data scientists, computer scientists, engineers, coders, and platform developers. These are skills that are in short supply; unless our educational system generates more people with these capabilities, it will limit AI development.

For these reasons, both state and federal governments have been investing in AI human capital. For example, in 2017, the National Science Foundation funded over 6,500 graduate students in computer-related fields and has launched several new initiatives designed to encourage data and computer science at all levels from pre-K to higher and continuing education. 57 The goal is to build a larger pipeline of AI and data analytic personnel so that the United States can reap the full advantages of the knowledge revolution.

But there also needs to be substantial changes in the process of learning itself. It is not just technical skills that are needed in an AI world but skills of critical reasoning, collaboration, design, visual display of information, and independent thinking, among others. AI will reconfigure how society and the economy operate, and there needs to be “big picture” thinking on what this will mean for ethics, governance, and societal impact. People will need the ability to think broadly about many questions and integrate knowledge from a number of different areas.

One example of new ways to prepare students for a digital future is IBM’s Teacher Advisor program, utilizing Watson’s free online tools to help teachers bring the latest knowledge into the classroom. They enable instructors to develop new lesson plans in STEM and non-STEM fields, find relevant instructional videos, and help students get the most out of the classroom. 58 As such, they are precursors of new educational environments that need to be created.

Create a federal AI advisory committee

Federal officials need to think about how they deal with artificial intelligence. As noted previously, there are many issues ranging from the need for improved data access to addressing issues of bias and discrimination. It is vital that these and other concerns be considered so we gain the full benefits of this emerging technology.

In order to move forward in this area, several members of Congress have introduced the “Future of Artificial Intelligence Act,” a bill designed to establish broad policy and legal principles for AI. It proposes the secretary of commerce create a federal advisory committee on the development and implementation of artificial intelligence. The legislation provides a mechanism for the federal government to get advice on ways to promote a “climate of investment and innovation to ensure the global competitiveness of the United States,” “optimize the development of artificial intelligence to address the potential growth, restructuring, or other changes in the United States workforce,” “support the unbiased development and application of artificial intelligence,” and “protect the privacy rights of individuals.” 59

Among the specific questions the committee is asked to address include the following: competitiveness, workforce impact, education, ethics training, data sharing, international cooperation, accountability, machine learning bias, rural impact, government efficiency, investment climate, job impact, bias, and consumer impact. The committee is directed to submit a report to Congress and the administration 540 days after enactment regarding any legislative or administrative action needed on AI.

This legislation is a step in the right direction, although the field is moving so rapidly that we would recommend shortening the reporting timeline from 540 days to 180 days. Waiting nearly two years for a committee report will certainly result in missed opportunities and a lack of action on important issues. Given rapid advances in the field, having a much quicker turnaround time on the committee analysis would be quite beneficial.

Engage with state and local officials

States and localities also are taking action on AI. For example, the New York City Council unanimously passed a bill that directed the mayor to form a taskforce that would “monitor the fairness and validity of algorithms used by municipal agencies.” 60 The city employs algorithms to “determine if a lower bail will be assigned to an indigent defendant, where firehouses are established, student placement for public schools, assessing teacher performance, identifying Medicaid fraud and determine where crime will happen next.” 61

According to the legislation’s developers, city officials want to know how these algorithms work and make sure there is sufficient AI transparency and accountability. In addition, there is concern regarding the fairness and biases of AI algorithms, so the taskforce has been directed to analyze these issues and make recommendations regarding future usage. It is scheduled to report back to the mayor on a range of AI policy, legal, and regulatory issues by late 2019.

Some observers already are worrying that the taskforce won’t go far enough in holding algorithms accountable. For example, Julia Powles of Cornell Tech and New York University argues that the bill originally required companies to make the AI source code available to the public for inspection, and that there be simulations of its decisionmaking using actual data. After criticism of those provisions, however, former Councilman James Vacca dropped the requirements in favor of a task force studying these issues. He and other city officials were concerned that publication of proprietary information on algorithms would slow innovation and make it difficult to find AI vendors who would work with the city. 62 It remains to be seen how this local task force will balance issues of innovation, privacy, and transparency.

Regulate broad objectives more than specific algorithms

The European Union has taken a restrictive stance on these issues of data collection and analysis. 63 It has rules limiting the ability of companies from collecting data on road conditions and mapping street views. Because many of these countries worry that people’s personal information in unencrypted Wi-Fi networks are swept up in overall data collection, the EU has fined technology firms, demanded copies of data, and placed limits on the material collected. 64 This has made it more difficult for technology companies operating there to develop the high-definition maps required for autonomous vehicles.

The GDPR being implemented in Europe place severe restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. According to published guidelines, “Regulations prohibit any automated decision that ‘significantly affects’ EU citizens. This includes techniques that evaluates a person’s ‘performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location, or movements.’” 65 In addition, these new rules give citizens the right to review how digital services made specific algorithmic choices affecting people.

By taking a restrictive stance on issues of data collection and analysis, the European Union is putting its manufacturers and software designers at a significant disadvantage to the rest of the world.

If interpreted stringently, these rules will make it difficult for European software designers (and American designers who work with European counterparts) to incorporate artificial intelligence and high-definition mapping in autonomous vehicles. Central to navigation in these cars and trucks is tracking location and movements. Without high-definition maps containing geo-coded data and the deep learning that makes use of this information, fully autonomous driving will stagnate in Europe. Through this and other data protection actions, the European Union is putting its manufacturers and software designers at a significant disadvantage to the rest of the world.

It makes more sense to think about the broad objectives desired in AI and enact policies that advance them, as opposed to governments trying to crack open the “black boxes” and see exactly how specific algorithms operate. Regulating individual algorithms will limit innovation and make it difficult for companies to make use of artificial intelligence.

Take biases seriously

Bias and discrimination are serious issues for AI. There already have been a number of cases of unfair treatment linked to historic data, and steps need to be undertaken to make sure that does not become prevalent in artificial intelligence. Existing statutes governing discrimination in the physical economy need to be extended to digital platforms. That will help protect consumers and build confidence in these systems as a whole.

For these advances to be widely adopted, more transparency is needed in how AI systems operate. Andrew Burt of Immuta argues, “The key problem confronting predictive analytics is really transparency. We’re in a world where data science operations are taking on increasingly important tasks, and the only thing holding them back is going to be how well the data scientists who train the models can explain what it is their models are doing.” 66

Maintaining mechanisms for human oversight and control

Some individuals have argued that there needs to be avenues for humans to exercise oversight and control of AI systems. For example, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence CEO Oren Etzioni argues there should be rules for regulating these systems. First, he says, AI must be governed by all the laws that already have been developed for human behavior, including regulations concerning “cyberbullying, stock manipulation or terrorist threats,” as well as “entrap[ping] people into committing crimes.” Second, he believes that these systems should disclose they are automated systems and not human beings. Third, he states, “An A.I. system cannot retain or disclose confidential information without explicit approval from the source of that information.” 67 His rationale is that these tools store so much data that people have to be cognizant of the privacy risks posed by AI.

In the same vein, the IEEE Global Initiative has ethical guidelines for AI and autonomous systems. Its experts suggest that these models be programmed with consideration for widely accepted human norms and rules for behavior. AI algorithms need to take into effect the importance of these norms, how norm conflict can be resolved, and ways these systems can be transparent about norm resolution. Software designs should be programmed for “nondeception” and “honesty,” according to ethics experts. When failures occur, there must be mitigation mechanisms to deal with the consequences. In particular, AI must be sensitive to problems such as bias, discrimination, and fairness. 68

A group of machine learning experts claim it is possible to automate ethical decisionmaking. Using the trolley problem as a moral dilemma, they ask the following question: If an autonomous car goes out of control, should it be programmed to kill its own passengers or the pedestrians who are crossing the street? They devised a “voting-based system” that asked 1.3 million people to assess alternative scenarios, summarized the overall choices, and applied the overall perspective of these individuals to a range of vehicular possibilities. That allowed them to automate ethical decisionmaking in AI algorithms, taking public preferences into account. 69 This procedure, of course, does not reduce the tragedy involved in any kind of fatality, such as seen in the Uber case, but it provides a mechanism to help AI developers incorporate ethical considerations in their planning.

Penalize malicious behavior and promote cybersecurity

As with any emerging technology, it is important to discourage malicious treatment designed to trick software or use it for undesirable ends. 70 This is especially important given the dual-use aspects of AI, where the same tool can be used for beneficial or malicious purposes. The malevolent use of AI exposes individuals and organizations to unnecessary risks and undermines the virtues of the emerging technology. This includes behaviors such as hacking, manipulating algorithms, compromising privacy and confidentiality, or stealing identities. Efforts to hijack AI in order to solicit confidential information should be seriously penalized as a way to deter such actions. 71

In a rapidly changing world with many entities having advanced computing capabilities, there needs to be serious attention devoted to cybersecurity. Countries have to be careful to safeguard their own systems and keep other nations from damaging their security. 72 According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a major American bank receives around 11 million calls a week at its service center. In order to protect its telephony from denial of service attacks, it uses a “machine learning-based policy engine [that] blocks more than 120,000 calls per month based on voice firewall policies including harassing callers, robocalls and potential fraudulent calls.” 73 This represents a way in which machine learning can help defend technology systems from malevolent attacks.

To summarize, the world is on the cusp of revolutionizing many sectors through artificial intelligence and data analytics. There already are significant deployments in finance, national security, health care, criminal justice, transportation, and smart cities that have altered decisionmaking, business models, risk mitigation, and system performance. These developments are generating substantial economic and social benefits.

The world is on the cusp of revolutionizing many sectors through artificial intelligence, but the way AI systems are developed need to be better understood due to the major implications these technologies will have for society as a whole.

Yet the manner in which AI systems unfold has major implications for society as a whole. It matters how policy issues are addressed, ethical conflicts are reconciled, legal realities are resolved, and how much transparency is required in AI and data analytic solutions. 74 Human choices about software development affect the way in which decisions are made and the manner in which they are integrated into organizational routines. Exactly how these processes are executed need to be better understood because they will have substantial impact on the general public soon, and for the foreseeable future. AI may well be a revolution in human affairs, and become the single most influential human innovation in history.

Note: We appreciate the research assistance of Grace Gilberg, Jack Karsten, Hillary Schaub, and Kristjan Tomasson on this project.

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and policy solutions. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations for policymakers and the public. The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars.

Support for this publication was generously provided by Amazon. Brookings recognizes that the value it provides is in its absolute commitment to quality, independence, and impact. Activities supported by its donors reflect this commitment. 

John R. Allen is a member of the Board of Advisors of Amida Technology and on the Board of Directors of Spark Cognition. Both companies work in fields discussed in this piece.

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• Economist , “America v China: The Battle for Digital Supremacy,” March 15, 2018.
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• Cameron Kerry and Jack Karsten, “Gauging Investment in Self-Driving Cars,” Brookings Institution, October 16, 2017.
• Portions of this section are drawn from Darrell M. West, “Driverless Cars in China, Europe, Japan, Korea, and the United States,” Brookings Institution, September 2016.
• Yuming Ge, Xiaoman Liu, Libo Tang, and Darrell M. West, “Smart Transportation in China and the United States,” Center for Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution, December 2017.
• Peter Holley, “Uber Signs Deal to Buy 24,000 Autonomous Vehicles from Volvo,” Washington Post , November 20, 2017.
• Daisuke Wakabayashi, “Self-Driving Uber Car Kills Pedestrian in Arizona, Where Robots Roam,” New York Times , March 19, 2018.
• Kevin Desouza, Rashmi Krishnamurthy, and Gregory Dawson, “Learning from Public Sector Experimentation with Artificial Intelligence,” TechTank (blog), Brookings Institution, June 23, 2017.
• Boyd Cohen, “The 10 Smartest Cities in North America,” Fast Company , November 14, 2013.
• Teena Maddox, “66% of US Cities Are Investing in Smart City Technology,” TechRepublic , November 6, 2017.
• Osonde Osoba and William Welser IV, “The Risks of Artificial Intelligence to Security and the Future of Work” (Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND Corp., December 2017) (www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE237.html).
• Ibid., p. 7.
• Dominic Barton, Jonathan Woetzel, Jeongmin Seong, and Qinzheng Tian, “Artificial Intelligence: Implications for China” (New York: McKinsey Global Institute, April 2017), p. 7.
• Executive Office of the President, “Preparing for the Future of Artificial Intelligence,” October 2016, pp. 30-31.
• Elaine Glusac, “As Airbnb Grows, So Do Claims of Discrimination,” New York Times , June 21, 2016.
• “Joy Buolamwini,” Bloomberg Businessweek , July 3, 2017, p. 80.
• Mark Purdy and Paul Daugherty, “Why Artificial Intelligence is the Future of Growth,” Accenture, 2016.
• Jon Valant, “Integrating Charter Schools and Choice-Based Education Systems,” Brown Center Chalkboard blog, Brookings Institution, June 23, 2017.
• Tucker, “‘A White Mask Worked Better.’”
• Cliff Kuang, “Can A.I. Be Taught to Explain Itself?” New York Times Magazine , November 21, 2017.
• Yale Law School Information Society Project, “Governing Machine Learning,” September 2017.
• Katie Benner, “Airbnb Vows to Fight Racism, But Its Users Can’t Sue to Prompt Fairness,” New York Times , June 19, 2016.
• Executive Office of the President, “Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and the Economy” and “Preparing for the Future of Artificial Intelligence.”
• Nancy Scolar, “Facebook’s Next Project: American Inequality,” Politico , February 19, 2018.
• Darrell M. West, “What Internet Search Data Reveals about Donald Trump’s First Year in Office,” Brookings Institution policy report, January 17, 2018.
• Ian Buck, “Testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology,” February 14, 2018.
• Keith Nakasone, “Testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology,” March 7, 2018.
• Greg Brockman, “The Dawn of Artificial Intelligence,” Testimony before U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, November 30, 2016.
• Amir Khosrowshahi, “Testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology,” February 14, 2018.
• James Kurose, “Testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology,” March 7, 2018.
• Stephen Noonoo, “Teachers Can Now Use IBM’s Watson to Search for Free Lesson Plans,” EdSurge , September 13, 2017.
• Congress.gov, “H.R. 4625 FUTURE of Artificial Intelligence Act of 2017,” December 12, 2017.
• Elizabeth Zima, “Could New York City’s AI Transparency Bill Be a Model for the Country?” Government Technology , January 4, 2018.
• Julia Powles, “New York City’s Bold, Flawed Attempt to Make Algorithms Accountable,” New Yorker , December 20, 2017.
• Sheera Frenkel, “Tech Giants Brace for Europe’s New Data Privacy Rules,” New York Times , January 28, 2018.
• Claire Miller and Kevin O’Brien, “Germany’s Complicated Relationship with Google Street View,” New York Times , April 23, 2013.
• Cade Metz, “Artificial Intelligence is Setting Up the Internet for a Huge Clash with Europe,” Wired , July 11, 2016.
• Eric Siegel, “Predictive Analytics Interview Series: Andrew Burt,” Predictive Analytics Times , June 14, 2017.
• Oren Etzioni, “How to Regulate Artificial Intelligence,” New York Times , September 1, 2017.
• “Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems,” unpublished paper. IEEE Global Initiative, 2018.
• Ritesh Noothigattu, Snehalkumar Gaikwad, Edmond Awad, Sohan Dsouza, Iyad Rahwan, Pradeep Ravikumar, and Ariel Procaccia, “A Voting-Based System for Ethical Decision Making,” Computers and Society , September 20, 2017 (www.media.mit.edu/publications/a-voting-based-system-for-ethical-decision-making/).
• Miles Brundage, et al., “The Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence,” University of Oxford unpublished paper, February 2018.
• John Markoff, “As Artificial Intelligence Evolves, So Does Its Criminal Potential,” New York Times, October 24, 2016, p. B3.
• Economist , “The Challenger: Technopolitics,” March 17, 2018.
• Douglas Maughan, “Testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology,” March 7, 2018.
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Artificial Intelligence

Governance Studies

Center for Technology Innovation

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative

Mark Schoeman

May 16, 2024

Charles Asiegbu, Chinasa T. Okolo

Nicol Turner Lee, Natasha White

May 15, 2024

544 Innovation Essay Topics & Examples

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Innovation means introducing new products, services, and ideas in any sphere. It takes place in technology, science, business, education, etc. If you’re searching for innovation essay examples and topics, this article will be helpful. It contains innovation research titles, paper samples, and ideas for writing assignments and presentations.

• How Innovation and Technology Makes Life Easier On the contrary, all of the essential parts of the life of our society are based on the use of technology.
• Innovation and Enterprise at Tesco While the management claims that the staff in the supermarkets are always ready to help the customers, the company encourages the latter to use self-service tills as well.
• General Motors: Supplier Selection for Innovation Orbitty was volunteered to share its Intellectual Property so that General Motors could maintain the control of I.P.indulged in the schemes, then possess the Intellectual Property swiftly and independently to respond to dynamics in the […]
• Innovation and Its Positive Impact on the Society The stage gate model is used to manage the risks that are associated with the development of new products. This is because the product development and innovation process faces a number of risks.
• Schumpeter’s Innovation Theory Schumpeter’s theory provides that the leading role of an entrepreneur in the economic field is the introduction of innovations from which the reward is gaining profits.
• Coca-Cola Innovation Strategy Coca Cola at its disposal have a model known as segmentation; this has made it possible for the company to serve the needs of distinguishing clientele, as well distinguishing the company’s brand; this has been […]
• Innovation in History: How Guns Changed the World During a long period of time, guns have changed the world considerably: they help to defend oneself; they make it easier and faster to kill and injure people, very often, innocent people; and they obliterate […]
• Artificial Intelligence: Positive or Negative Innovation? He argues that while humans will still be in charge of a few aspects of life in the near future, their control will be reduced due to the development of artificial intelligence.
• Apple Company: Innovation Strategy Implementation The second one investigates the driving factors that have contributed to the company’s innovation strategy, while the third one explores the relationship between culture and innovation at Apple.
• Barriers to Creativity and Innovation The authorities in the nations asserts that, evident barriers to innovation that includes poor research and lack of resources influences generation of new ideas.
• Apple Company’s Creativity and Innovation With this in mind, this paper will critically analyze the concepts of creativity and innovation in Apple Inc, the impact of transformational leadership on creativity and innovation, and finally focus on how Apple’s transformational leaders […]
• Steve Jobs: Persistence and Innovations It has been reported that at once stage Steve was relieved of his position as the CEO of his the company he started and owned, thanks to the dynamics of corporate governance.
• Innovation, Creativity, and Enterprise Management at Starbucks In this sense, the authors propose that the main issue to investigate when studying the dynamics of business opportunities is the entrepreneurial capacity to develop, recognize, and evaluate them.
• Technology & Innovation: LG Electronics Strategy Report The development of technology is very important in the electronics industry and therefore LG electronics ensures that innovation and technology of the organization are managed effectively.
• 3M Corporation’s Innovation Engine Case Five percent of the total annual was allocated to R&D to support the development of new lines of products and improve the existing ones.
• The Role of Innovation in Business Development From the discussion, it is clear that the role of innovation in business development is to create value, which sustains the business in the long-term.
• Technology and Innovation: Western Civilization History The people living in the Western world were stuck in the innovation and technology that was available in the Medieval Age.
• World War II Innovations Named as the Manhattan Project during World War II, the nuclear program of the Allies led to catastrophic consequences for the Axis forces, particularly in the context of the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which […]
• Leading Innovation and Change Based on these definitions, the fundamental elements of innovation include change, the degree of change, as well as, the source of the change and its influence.
• The JD Sports Firm’s Innovation Strategy Innovation is the key to the strategic success of a business, as this path helps it to stand out from the competition in the market.
• Apple Inc.’s Innovation Focus Strategy: Pros & Cons One of the recommendations is the focus of the company on the innovative solutions. Table 1 presents pros and cons of implementing the proposed recommendation.
• Innovation In Health Care Instead, face to face workshops after the initial training would have been used such that the employees would have to fit into the new system rather than fitting the new system into their existing structure.
• Procter & Gamble Company: Entrepreneurship and Innovation The three main dimensions of entrepreneurship include: Innovativeness, or the tendency of an organization to engage in and encourage novel ideas, experimentation and creative processes, thus departing from traditional norms in favor of new practices […]
• Developing Business and Social Innovation Through Creativity and Foresight Methods Usually, the story is outlined broadly and based on some tropes or stock characters, while the details, dialogue, and the exact direction of the story are left to the actors. Role-playing and improvisation can be […]
• Samsung and Procter & Gamble: Open Innovation Chesbrough’s definition of open innovation is based on the theory that in order to prevent the exhaustion of the internal resources, the leadership of a company is to engage the external opportunities of obtaining creative […]
• Next Plc Company’s Innovation Management Its beneficial characteristics underline the need to include its features in the strategy of the company, and it could be said that Next Plc can be viewed as one of the firms that attempt to […]
• Innovation in Organizations: Theories & Practices They include the Jenga theory of creativity, the systems, the functionalist, the interpretive, the radical humanist, and the radical structuralism theories.
• Innovation Of The Workplace For such a setting as the Sprint Store, the labour intensity should equate to the product of hours worked by every employee and the share of the employment within the group setting.
• Age Diversity Impacts on Innovation: Coca-Cola Company In focusing on determining the impacts of age diversity on the organisational performance of the Coca-Cola Company in the Birmingham area, Alabama, United States, this paper found that the company has adopted diversity and inclusion […]
• Disruptive Innovations: Self-Driving Vehicle Technology With the enactment of these regulations, it is extrapolated that by the 2040s to 2060s, these automobiles will have significantly replaced human-driven cars on roads.
• Saudi Aramco Company’s Energy Strategy and Innovation One of the focus areas of Saudi Aramco’s strategy to meet the rising demands for energy is to reinforce its position in oil and gas exploration and production.
• Mercedes Benz: The Transition to a Continuous Innovation Process The main business model of Mercedes Benz is innovation, which is in the basics of science and practice of general management.
• Managing Product and Service Innovation for Kodak The first camera to consumers was handed to a customer in 1888 with the slogan ‘You press the button, we do the rest’. The user of the camera would reload the camera without the necessity […]
• Sustainability and Innovation The main aim of the report is to determine: The relationship between sustainability and innovation How sustainability and innovation contribute to the performance and success of a business The impact of sustainability and innovation on […]
• Social Cognitive Theory and Diffusion of Innovations In order to understand why theories are important for the sphere of public health, it is necessary to focus on the analysis of such two main theories as to the Social Cognitive Theory and the […]
• Disruptive Innovation in Hospitality Industry The health risks of contracting COVID-19 influenced disruptive innovations in hospitality to facilitate contactless services in the hospitality industry, forcing organizations in the sector to respond to the innovations.
• Innovation: Meaning, Importance, and Challenges One of the most distinctive features of innovation in the modern world is the necessity for speed: everything is sought to be done faster.
• Unilever’s Product Development: Collaborative Innovation There is the possibility of the comprehensive use of the efforts of the project partners at the preproduction, production, and marketing stages, which contribute to the achievement of positive externalities due to the synergistic effect.
• Procter & Gamble Company: Collaboration and Innovation What is the relationship of collaboration and innovation to that business strategy? The main benefit of this tool is that it involves a greater number of workers in the development of a product.
• Amazon’s Innovation Using Information Technology The foundation of the company’s business model is innovative marketing based on media products because of the ability to reach potentially higher numbers of customers in different corners of the globe.
• The Theories of Innovation and Change Process The first part is the consideration of the signals of change, the second part is the analysis of the competitive battles, and the third part is the applying to the strategic choices.
• Innovation and E-mail Rules in Tesla E-mail exchange within the structure of a company allows for the aligned and systematic exchange of information pertaining to operations within an organization.
• W.L. Gore Company’s Culture of Innovation Besides, I would prefer to work with this firm because it opens up opportunities for individual growth and innovation at the place of work.
• Tata Motor’s Innovative Processes Valuation The second segment is the innovation theory review, which explores key theoretical underpinnings of the study by examining the role of the diffusion of innovations theory and the five-stage high involvement framework in Tata’s innovation […]
• Sainsbury’s Company’s Sustainable Innovation Management Currently, the company is also in the process of merging with Asda, another retailer functioning in the same industry sector but different regions this merger could significantly shift the position of the business and make […]
• Innovation, Creativity, and Intrapreneurship Creativity occurs in the event of identification of a need that is untapped and unexploited hence the need to fill in that gap and create equilibrium in the market.
• Tesco Group’s Culture and Innovation The organisations culture is very influential on the innovativeness of the organisation as the cultural aspects may hinder or promote the innovativeness and creativity of the employees.
• Product and Innovation Management of Nokia Since 2013, Nokia Corporation has been radical in its innovation that has resulted in the development of the Nokia Lumia 435, Nokia Lumia 730, Nokia Lumia 535, Nokia Lumia 620, Nokia Lumia 830, Nokia Lumia […]
• Managing Innovation and Entrepreneurship This is creativity of the business which is targeted at capturing the attention of the consumers in the market. Therefore the advancement of the two concepts in the organisation or advancement of one concept at […]
• GlaxoSmithKline: The Management of Innovation As GSK strives to research and discover innovative products some of the challenges that it is likely to experience due to its large number of DPU teams include the following.
• Airbnb Business: Radical Service Innovation Classifying the innovation in terms of Product/Service/Process, it is possible to pinpoint that Airbnb business is primarily based on service innovation.
• Emirates Airline’s Differentiation and Innovation The global airline industry is highly competitive and this company is always under pressure to deliver superior services to manage the rivalry in the market.
• Google Glass Innovation’s Strengths and Weaknesses These are some of the main advantages that this device can offer. In particular, they should focus on the development of software that can maximize the benefits of this wearable computer.
• Culture and Innovation in Organizations As Sims notes, the challenge is to build an organizational culture where members oppose the temptation to act in ethical manners that promote interests at the cost of the firm or promote the interest of […]
• Innovation in the Service Industry During the design of service innovation, firms should understand the outcome of the service to the customer and the long run effect on the customer behaviour towards the service.
• Importance of Innovations in Operations Management Before giving the newly developed ideas a chance in the company’s operations, strength of the ideas should be greater than the ones in use, contrary to the weakness which should be less.
• Technological Innovations in Transport Because of the heaviness and bulkiness of some of the goods of trade, many people used animal transport to move their products from their homes to the trading centers.
• Zara Company’s Sustainability and Innovation For instance, when the authors describe the success of the Zara model, they attribute it not only to innovation, but also to observation of standards and operating on low cost. The firm should be cautious […]
• The Importance of Innovation in International Business The domain of international business provides considerate challenges for the individual forms, for, in every part of the world, the tendencies of marketing are influenced by some inner tendencies and specific cultural ideas.
• Sports as Media, Technology, and Innovation Sport is the sum of all efforts made to safeguard an individual’s mental and physical well-being, maximize the sensations of excitement, competition, and victory, and optimize personal accomplishment within a set of regulations.
• Under Armour’s Approach to Change and Innovation By involving clients in a sequence of mockups to gain knowledge, experiment, and modify ideas, design thinking would reduce the confusion and threat of innovation. That is how UA was not afraid of innovativeness and […]
• The Public Sector Innovations and Changes Innovations in the public sector can have a significant role in the life of society. More accurate targeting of user needs is also becoming a significant contribution to innovation in the public sector.
• Future Innovations and Their Role in People’s Life For instance, laptops and smartphones that allow people to make video calls to their friends and family on a different continents altered the conventional realization of space and time.
• Technological Innovation Effect on Urbanization By the 20th century, as large-scale industrial production became effective, the idea of urbanization appeared, leading to the further growth of the world’s leading cities. As such, the idea of urbanization is the cornerstone of […]
• Diffusion of Innovations Theory Thus, the theory of diffusion of innovations provides an appropriate model of reducing the prevalence of nosocomial infections in the ICU.
• Innovation and Creativity in a Complex World This paper will highlight what the society can do in order to ensure that the future of management is bright and that the Y generation extends the high performance and productivity.
• Corporate Branding: Innovation in British Airways Therefore, the provision of low airfares becomes an interesting topic of discussion in addition to the technological advancements that contribute to the cost of transportation as well as to the enhancement of the customer experience.
• Science and Innovation in the Middle Ages Whereas medieval science and technology did not seek to defeat the existing world views of the time, their activities did lay the ground for the scientific revolution as well as European global expansion of the […]
• Creativity and Innovation Management In this context, the task of the CEO is to make the stakeholders to understand the meaning of innovation and why it is necessary in ensuring that P & G remains at the top of […]
• Service Management of Innovation Tourism Industry Innovation taking place in tourism industry is resulting into new ideas, services, and products to the marketplace and as part of overall changes taking place in the industry, innovation in the industry is leading to […]
• Diffusion of innovation Confirmation is the final stage and it involves the person making an evaluation of the decision to use the innovation. This figure illustrates how the five categories of innovation adoption according to time are spread […]
• Discussion about diffusion of innovation The relative advantage is measured on the basis of tastes and preferences of the users while the compatibility with the existing values and practices is measured against past experiences and the values held by the […]
• Coles Supermarkets: Innovation Through E-Tailing Therefore, this report suggests the introduction of Asian foods in Coles’ retail portfolio, and sale of the commodities through the internet or physical stores.
• Facebook: Change and Innovation Moreover, the administrators of Facebook should lobby for a reduction on the charges levied to the company by organizations that monitor online trade.
• Kodak: Evaluation of the Innovation The company had disrupted the camera market by introducing the digital camera but it could not determine what to do with the new product.
• Fiat Mio as a Collaborative Innovation The head of the Fiat Brazil Style Center, Peter Fassbender, gathered the company’s best representatives in the innovation, publicity, and communication departments and offered an open innovation paradigm in which Fiat consumers were invited to […]
• PlayStation Product: Innovation Analysis A specific technological innovation is the console used in PlayStation in the video games industry. The inclusion of the software in the PlayStation led to improved visual quality of the consoles.
• The Role of Innovation in the Development Innovation is one of the causal factors of fundamental changes in the livelihood of people in the society. The role of innovation in the development of military, economic, and cultural superiority was the facilitation of […]
• Innovation Management in Honda The problem arose from the failure of a follow up market plan to raise necessary awareness for the products to be well received in the market and also the release of the prius which was […]
• Nokia Company Innovation and Change Management In the modern business world, changes and innovation level has increased significantly due to changes in the nature of the market.
• Samsung: Innovation in Organizations The stress on innovation and generation of new ideas for the sake of development of new and futuristic products that are called the “wow products” became the insignia for the new strategy that Yun had […]
• Agrarian Innovation in the Transition From Rural Life to Urban It was along with the increase of resources and the improvement of tools and methods of labor that the first urban settlements began to appear.
• Organizational Culture, Innovation, and Performance: A Test of Schein’s Model In addition, the model explains various levels of an organisational culture and how change can be initiated by giving priority to the peripheral layer of artifacts and symbols.
• Zensar Company’s Innovation & Change Management He has a strong belief in the virtues of the new product and is playing a vital role in communicating its benefits to customers and Zensar’s employees.
• Domino’s Pizza Inc.’s Strategy of Innovation and Technology As such, Domino’s took account of the technological segment of the general business environment to ensure that it expands its market share.
• Science and Innovation in Different Societies Firstly, it is critical to study the importance of science and innovation because the fields high influence the life of people by making it more convenient such as the usage of elevators.
• Gordon Lankton’s Innovation Management at Nypro Company He worried that a stagnation of growth might be disastrous to the company as this would cause the most entrepreneurial and best employees to leave the company.
• “What’s Your Best Innovation Bet?” by Schilling Therefore, the article holds that the understanding of the evolutionary process of technology and the dynamic needs of customers is critical in designing innovations that would become relevant for a considerable time.
• Increasing Innovation and Impact on UAE Tourism In this paper, the researcher wanted to determine the impact of increasing innovations on the tour and travel industry. What is the impact of increasing innovation on the tour and travel industry in the United […]
• Innovation, Value Creation and Sustainability In order to be value-creating, the firm must produce artifacts or provide services that satisfy a particular set of human needs.
• Innovation Management Plan: Amazon Company It is explained by the fact that the organisation provides the most convenient way to deliver goods, a moderate price, all the necessary information, and a wide variety of options as a result, it has […]
• The International Foods Group’s Innovation Plan This team is planning to better the marketing department of the company in terms of communication with its customers. Josh thinks that customers should be reached from all regions and be given a chance to […]
• Event Industry: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Thus, it can be argued that a solution to the problems faced by the events industry can be considered a part of the creative industry if the entrepreneur can demonstrate the innovative use of technology […]
• CarMax: Sales Revolution Through Innovation All the customers are sure that the price on the sticker is the price of the car. In as much as the core business of the company is the selling of used cars, the quality […]
• Pharmaceutical Innovation: Can We Live Forever? A Commentary on Schnittker and Karandins Author and the article The author of the article is a professor at York University in Toronto. The article has therefore added into the field of knowledge by trying to explain the relationship that exists […]
• Innovation and Change in Business Innovation and change in business organization requires techniques that will enable the company to effect the changes that are needed. For any change to occur in any business organization the leaders must overcome barriers of […]
• Some of the most significant innovations of the 20th Century The computer It is impossible for the human race to think of the world in the absence of computers. The airplane The significance of the airplane in the 20th century can be equated to the […]
• Mobile Banking Innovation In the mobile industry, mobile banking is one of the recent innovations that have influenced the operations of the telephone/mobile phone industry positively.
• Technological Innovation in Law Enforcement It shows that criminals may use the same methods as police officers and also indicates that the storage of personal information in cyberspace is related to major safety risks.
• University of Malaya Medical Centre’s Innovation In particular, some of the major challenges that the organization has encountered regarding the implementation of this innovative project were the lack of integration of ICT and the lack of training among the staff expected […]
• Monsanto Weed Killer as a Harmful Innovation The purpose of this paper is to analyze the stakeholders involved in the case, the media portrayal of the situation, and the potential aftermath of the case for the industry as a whole.
• Dubai’s Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development It is claimed that innovation is a major tool that can be used to improve “education, health, and the environment, encourage the implementation of best practices, and support sustainable entrepreneurship”.
• Sustainable Leadership and Innovation in Maritime Industry (DP World) To measure innovation, the author uses three indicators of innovation that I also aim to use as reference indicators in my research.
• National Bank of Abu Dhabi Innovation The National Bank of Abu Dhabi is ranked first among the largest banks in Abu Dhabi and second in the United Arab Emirates.
• DP World’s Success, Innovation and Growth Awards also prove the excellence of the company in its core business as well as the significance of the company’s Jebel Ali Port for the world. The port is the oldest, the biggest and the […]
• 3D Printers: Innovative Tools or Threat to Business? 3D printers are an innovative creation, but they threaten the same innovation that led to their existence by replacing an entire system of production, which is what industrialization is based on.
• Innovations on Energy and Water Co-Benefits In addition, the number of harmful emissions that are harmful to both people and the planet will be significantly reduced. The introduction of social innovations is to develop strategies that will solve social problems.
• The Contemporary Role of Social Innovation However, no less important are the tendencies of social development, innovations in which contribute not only to the development of business but likewise, first of all, to stabilization and improvement of the quality of society’s […]
• Revitalizing Detroit: A Vision for Innovation, Community, and Growth That is why it is irrational to free up the space and give it to nature, which refers to Option A. On the other hand, a suitable option is to invest in innovations and sustainability.
• Capability: Business Model Innovation in Mergers It is an architecture of deliverables that links the business to the technology system and provides the basis for enterprise evolution.
• Enterprise and Innovation: McDonald’s Company Information Combining the selling point of the main brand tasty and fast delivery of food for the family with healthy points of the MC Light would make it one of the key players on the market.
• Leadership and Innovations: Article Review This allowed Apple to create a culture of innovation, openness, and achievement, unlocking the potential of employees looking for ways to improve the product.
• Disruptive Innovation: Comparative Advantage In summary, the greatest risk is that if the company commits to disruptive innovation, its customers might prefer the products of the organization’s rivals that provide sustaining innovations.
• The Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program The policy reflects social control, ensuring that members of society are compliant and follow the rules to ensure community safety and sustainability.
• The Debenhams Firm’s Innovation Strategy Debenhams was founded in 1813, and based on the fundamentals of share prices, it has now reached the phase of “Decline,” and it is at the absolute end of its lifetime.
• Explaining Business Model Innovation Processes In order to solve the significant issues that affect the economic growth of the country, a company such as Winn-Dixie should introduce its organizational methods and begin operating in the most urbanized areas of the […]
• Diffusion of Innovation as Exemplified by Bitcoin This paper will give an example of a company officially registered as “Satoshi Nakamoto,” which created and implemented one of the first and most popular cryptocurrencies – Bitcoin.
• Advocating for Research and Innovation While Protecting the Public Public health professionals, including researchers, health managers, and educators, should ensure that all guidelines concerning the health and safety of persons participating in research trials are observed. Past trials indicate the areas that need to […]
• Google’s Culture: Innovation, User-Centric Marketing, Sustainability The company ensures that employees love their work and want to do it, and that is what will bring the company success.
• The Home Depot’s Journey Towards Innovation and Effective Change Leadership The central factor that leaders should consider is the reaction of their employees to the planned modernization, as resistance in the form of active protest or passive sabotage can significantly undermine the management efforts.
• Technological Innovations in Healthcare First of all, it is necessary to note the technology of maintaining medical records used to control the history of diseases and treat the patient. This ensured timely and most effective diagnosis, which led to […]
• Commercialization and Innovation Best Practices An example of this is the University of Amsterdam, which, in the middle of the 1990s, decided to sell the science park to the Zernicke group, which was investing in international innovation.
• ExxonMobil: Shaping the Future of Energy Through Innovation and Responsibility ExxonMobil, one of the world’s major publicly-listed energy suppliers and chemical manufacturers, manufactures and deploys next-generation technologies to help fulfill the world’s expanding demand for energy consumption and high-quality chemical products safely and responsibly.
• Innovations and Culture of British Football Consisting of some of the best clubs and with a significant number of fans, this football league is an example of sport as entertainment.
• Fractures Prevention Innovation and Its Translation For this reason, it is more appropriate to discuss the application of translation science theory using one example of complications, namely the high risk of fractures in people living with diabetes.
• Proctor & Gamble: Open Innovation Model According to BaSic, the open innovation model is developed in the direction of innovation networks, innovation entrepreneurship, innovation cooperation and partnership, innovation ecosystems, and clusters, which are at the center of human capital innovation progress.
• Electricity as a Revolutionary Innovation This essay will use the logical appeal method to illustrate the status of the use of electricity as an innovation that has had the largest impact on humanity.
• Impact of Innovation on Business and Social Spaces To begin with, the competition in the market is strongly related to innovation in the companies. Teamwork is essential for the company to create an outstanding strategy and remain flourishing in the market.
• The Innovation Process: Successes and Failures The success of innovation depends on many factors, but most of all on understanding: “To truly manifest innovation, you must realize that innovation is three different things: innovation is a result, innovation is a process, […]
• The Digital Transformation and Innovation Nexus The practical orientation of the study ensures its applicability in the current economic environment characterized by the increasing complexity of the organizational landscape.
• Innovation Life Cycle: Apple Inc. The dizzying success of Apple at the time of its opening is because it fully complied with societal requirements. The era of rapid development of technology set the goal for companies to focus on innovations.
• Congestive Heart Failure Treatment Innovations The relevance of the problem of this disease for health care is conditioned by the prevalence of pathology and the high economic costs of its treatment.
• Small-Group Communication: Innovation in Aging A small group is essentially an assemblage of two or more individuals that communicate while engaging in certain events or an interconnected aim and can exercise correlation amongst each other. Every team member can acquire […]
• Transformational Leadership Benefits Innovation The characteristics of transformational leadership include intrinsic motivation, transparent and effective communication, cooperation, employee encouragement, an ethical and positive climate, mentoring and coaching, and persuasion. To summarize, transformational leadership is an effective and growth-oriented approach […]
• Education in the 21st Century: Key Innovations The source will be helpful in the American education of the 21st century as it evaluates the creative teaching methods of the system.
• A Biological Science Innovation Article Analysis The most intriguing aspect of the article “Research that shines light on how cells recover from threats may lead to new insights into Alzheimer’s and ALS” by Brian Andrew Maxwell is that it offers information […]
• Role of Disruptive Innovations for Society The transition to such innovations has allowed us to move away from the usual structure of life and reach a new comfort level.
• Corporate Internal Governance Structure & Innovation Behavior The behavior and efficiency of enterprise technological innovation are essential to the development of enterprises. The behavior and efficiency of enterprise technological innovation are essential to the development of enterprises.
• Personal Business Plan and Development of Innovation For this reason, I want to attain success in various spheres and show others how to do it. That is why I need a structured and clear plan of how to do it.
• Sustainable Innovations and Environmental Certification It is the primary reason for the demand to conduct research to contribute to a more reasonable understanding and implementation of sustainable development.
• Ulta Beauty, Inc.: Methods of Innovation To ensure a prosperous future and transformation of the company, it is vital to combine internal research and development methods of innovation with external methods directed at cooperation with clients and competitors.
• Innovation and Technology in the Construction Industry Construction innovations continue to increase rapidly. Most innovations focus on automation.
• Innovation and Technology Management and Decision Making It is necessary to mention that although the innovation of the production process also includes investing in new technologies, the two directions should not be confused.
• “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare” and “From Spreading to Embedding Innovation” That is, the narration in the article is free of ill-founded value judgments, and the language corresponds to the article’s subject matter, which is artificial intelligence in healthcare.
• Implementation of Long-Lasting Innovations It goes without saying that innovations are immeasurably significant for the growth and development of any organization, however, it is essential to make the continuous to guarantee the stability of success in the future.
• Disruptive Innovation of Uber and Spotify However, one day I saw Uber in one of the online ads and decided to check what it offers. I was satisfied with the price of the trip and the overall quality of the service.
• Innovation Management vs. Entrepreneurship The example depicts the process of innovation management and the role that entrepreneurship plays in it. Any company that wants to push the boundaries of what is possible should be interested in nurturing and retaining […]
• Melanoma Treatment and Its Innovations Indeed, innovations in the sphere of melanoma treatment are connected with the use of checkpoint inhibitors and the so-called adjuvant therapy.
• Innovation and Change in Healthcare In particular, it is important to provide people not only with evidence of the existence of the problem and its consequences but also to indicate the overall goal of changes. It is also important to […]
• Rebecca Love: A Promoter of Nurse-Led Innovation It is important to note that while promoting changes and innovations in the healthcare system, Love does not urge nurses to forget existing theoretical concepts.
• Examples of Vital Innovations Vision, being one of the fundamental properties of human perception and understanding of the world, very often requires help in the form of glasses.
• Downtown Innovation District in Brampton, Ontario The government plan to make the District the center for innovation to develop talent in the young people. According to the mayor who pushed for the $21 million allocations, the project is a game-changer, especially […]
• Innovation Technology for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People In conclusion, the device for deaf and hard of hearing people Oticon more is a strong leader in the market of such devices.
• Successful Innovations in Healthcare Settings One of the most critical issues facing healthcare organizations today is the lack of qualified and skilled people to care for the growing number of patients.
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Barriers in Australia The general objective of the research is to determine the barriers to entrepreneurship and innovation faced by S.M.E.s in Australia. How are the challenges to entrepreneurship and innovation reflected in S.M.E.s in Australia’s industries?
• Innovation in Construction: Green Technology Innovative solutions for buildings with low energy consumption are actively developed and introduced into modern practice.
• Impact of Ancient Chinese Innovations It is important to note that the growth experienced in China results from the technological advances it has made in the area of science and technology. Since it is ahead of other countries in the […]
• Aspects of Collaborative Innovation Furthermore, a niche business is compatible with the idea of anti-theft bike handles it serves a specific audience that needs their bikes to be safe.
• The Principles of Diffusion Innovation Model The paper examines the manner in which the principles of the diffusion innovation model can be involved in the campaign on STDs among the youth.
• Business Model Innovation in the Hospitality Industry The article’s literature review is relevant to the study, and it allows the reader to understand its relevance and compatibility with previous research.
• Analyzing the Dimension of Innovations
• Technology and Innovation: Entrepreneurial Action Research Project
• Technological Innovation in the Private and Public Sectors of the UAE
• Innovations in Mobile Communication Devices
• Retina Display: Strategic Marketing and Innovation
• Henry Cowell: The Genius of Musical Innovations
• Wesfarmers: Organization Innovation Analysis
• Technology and Innovation Management in Organizations
• Organizational Culture and Innovation Implementation
• Healthcare Informatics Innovations Analysis
• Innovation and Spatial Development: Case of Bucharest
• Disruptive Innovation and Its Effects on the Market
• Social Innovations. Opportunities for Youth
• Innovation in Healthcare: The Central Sterilizing Supply Department
• Innovation at Google: How Does It Generate Its Revenues?
• Technological Innovations: Importance in Manufacturing
• Business: Open Innovation
• COVID-19: Spa Industry and Innovation Opportunities
• The Discipline of Innovation: The Trimming Technique
• Pressure Ulcers Innovation in the Medical Sector
• Project Innovation and Implications in Healthcare
• Diffusion of Innovation and Change: The Many Faces of Social Interactions
• Population Health Driver Diagram: Innovations and Their Use in Nursing
• Clinical Leadership and Innovation
• Energy Trust: Technology and Innovation
• Social Needs: Inventions and Innovations
• Financial Innovation: Risk and Return Theory
• Healthcare Organizations and Innovations: Enhancement of Excellent Service Delivery
• Examining Co-Evolving Policy and Innovation Systems
• Visualizing Innovation During the Covid-19 Pandemics
• Data Blind Spots in Visualizing Innovation in Egypt
• Diffusion of Innovation: Key Aspects
• Disruptive Innovation: Accommodation Businesses
• The Global Innovation Index in Several African States
• The Global Innovation Index: Kenia
• Artistic Planning: Innovation Analysis
• Technology Innovation and the Healthcare Delivery Future
• Four Innovation Strategies Described by Merle Crawford
• Future Innovation in the Energy Industry
• Innovations: Successful Business Performance
• Henry Ford and His Innovations
• Artificial and Automated: Innovation in Marketing
• US Government and Technological Innovation
• The Phenomena of Open Innovation
• Reflection on the Design and Innovation Course
• Contemporary Education System is Driven by Innovation
• Innovation Effects in the Tourism Industry on the Quality of Elderly Care
• Humanitarian Help and Furniture Innovation Concept
• Innovations of Society: Car Innovations
• Innovation and Creativity in Entrepreneurship
• Innovations in the Engineering Consultancy Sphere
• Healthcare: History and Innovations of New Technologies and New Treatment Methods
• Abu Dhabi Police Department Innovations
• Plastic Manufacturing Process and Innovations
• History of Art: Modernism’s New Industry and Innovation
• Technological Innovation in E-Commerce Management
• Why Is Green Innovation So Slow in Canada?
• Innovation and Creativity in Management Analysis
• Phitone Corp.’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Technology and Innovation-Microsoft and Internet
• Managing Innovation: Creativity, Chaos, Foolishnes
• Curriculum Development and Organizational Innovations
• Innovation and Creativity in the Garment Industry
• Organizational Psychology: Innovation and Creativity
• Television Systems: Innovation and Evolution
• Doctors Without Borders:Resolving Remedy Innovation Gap
• France and Switzerland Innovation Industry Analysis
• Cemex Firm’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• The Ministry of Justice of the UAE: Creativity and Innovation
• Open Innovation and Strategy in the UAE
• Innovation in Family Firms: A Guidance for Future Research
• Tjanpi Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Innovation Idea: Problem With Organization and People’s Self-Discipline
• Market-Pull Innovation Idea Development for Students
• Entrepreneurship and Social Reality
• Entrepreneurial Marketing. SwanLeap’s Innovation & Collaboration
• Innovations and Researches in The USA
• Halal Cosmetic Products: Innovation Management
• Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Smart City
• Frugal Innovation: The Likelihood of Being Disruptive
• Types and Patterns of Innovation
• Spotify and Tencent QQ: Innovation in the Media Industry
• Huawei: Strategy of Aggressive Innovation
• Technology Innovation: Security of Payments
• “Breaking Out of the Innovation Box” by J. Wolpert
• Chinese Space Program: Innovation and Value of the Proposed Experiments
• The Importance of Regulation in Financial Innovation
• Dynamic Innovation in Outsourcing Theories
• Organizational Culture, Innovation, and Performance
• Opportunities for Getting Funds for Innovations
• “Digital Innovation” by Deloitte Insights
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Corporate Context
• Healthcare Technology: Groundbreaking Innovations
• Etisalat: Change as an Innovation
• Product-Marketing Innovation, Roles and Skillsets
• The Heirs of Columbus: Discovery and Innovation
• Grundfos: Harnessing Creativity and Innovation
• The Moon Group: Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Florence Nightingale’s Innovation in Nursing Field
• Innovation From Google as Free Food Strategy
• PricewaterhouseCoopers Company’s Innovation
• Marketing Plan: Liquid Innovations
• American Democratic Political Model as an Innovation
• Procter and Gamble Company’s Innovation Strategies
• United Arab Emirates’ Innovation for People
• UAE Education, Transportation, Health Innovations
• Innovation, Leadership and Knowledge Management
• Effective Innovation Architecture in Organizations
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Innovation Model
• Innovation in the Arab World
• “Principles of Innovation and Measuring Success” by Clay Christensen
• Product and Service Innovation: Thank-You Card Service
• The Role of Innovations
• Human Societies Evolution and the Role of Innovation
• Innovation and Diversity: Making Co-Existence Productive
• Augmented Reality and Innovations in Education
• Technology Company’s Innovation and Funding
• Technological Innovation College: IT Internship Report
• Cultivating Innovation at IKEA Company
• “Post Crisis Innovation Will Rule” by Mary Sullivan
• Marketing Innovation and Creativity in Service Firms
• Innovation in Organic Textile Producing
• Strategic Capabilities, Innovation and Performance of Service Firms
• Dramatic Elements and Innovations in Theater History
• Impact of Technological Innovations on Society
• Innovation Management in Healthcare Organisations
• Big Companies’ Challenges in Trying to Promote Innovation
• US Army Air Corps’ Innovation During Interwar Period
• Knowledge and Innovation in Business
• “Innovation Management” by Harrington and Voehl
• Creativity and Innovation Mobilization in Business
• Service Strategy and Innovation Alignment: Study Critique
• Diagnosing Innovation Readiness in Family Firms
• Social Sector as Beta Site for Business Innovation
• Open Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
• Uber Company: Innovation in Society
• Organizational Learning and Innovation in Healthcare
• “Imitation and Innovation” Book by Eleanor Westney
• Managing Innovation in Healthcare Organizations
• Disruptive Innovation in the Current Classroom
• The Right Balance between Open and Closed Innovation by Enkel
• Intuit Company Among Innovation Catalysts
• Disruptive Innovation and Non-Consumption
• Innovation in the UAE Border Control Industry
• Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Tech Innovations
• Industry 4.0: Technical and Social Innovation Interplay
• Innovation in Organizational Culture and Behavior
• Rivalry and Innovation for Company Performance
• Paperless Passports as a Product Innovation
• GreenIt Ltd.’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• UAE Family Firms’ Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Employee Creativity and Innovation in Organizations
• Innovation Leadership and Creativity in High-Tech
• Leveraging Intellectual Capital in Innovation Networks
• Siemens Company: Innovation and Leading Positions
• Quality and Timely Innovation: American Products & Services
• Innovation in Textiles: New Fabric
• The Impact of Social Media on Co‐Creation of Innovation
• Innovation Role in the UAE Economy
• Science and Innovation in Saudi Arabia Society
• Learning and Innovation Skills and Student Assessment
• Ford Company’s Innovation for Better Competition
• Nintendo Game Innovation: Wii’s Principles
• Diffusion Innovation Theory and People Categories
• Entrepreneurial Innovation in American Schoolhouse
• Fronterra Company’s Innovation Requirements
• Leading Innovation vs Leading Teams
• Dubai Airports Company’s Innovation Strategies
• Uber Company’s Disruptive Innovation Business Model
• Disruptive Healthcare Innovations: Asynchronous Telepsychiatry
• Saudi Aramco Company’s Engineering Innovation and Ethics
• Education for Innovation and Independent Learning
• Innovation Importance in Company’s Competitive Advantage
• Alphacorp’s Innovation in Outsourcing Relationship
• Australian Green Building Innovation and Ethics
• Low Carbon Indigenous Innovation in China
• Why Innovation Is so Hard for Leaders?
• Genzyme’s Orphan Drugs and Innovation Management
• J.C. Penney’s Management Style and Innovation
• Apple’s, Samsung’s, IBM’s, Tesla’s Innovation and Creativity
• Dixons Carphone Company’s Innovation
• Logistics Planning and Transportation Innovations
• Bond Innovation and Its Rationale
• Radical or Disruptive and Incremental Innovation
• Leadership for Creativity and Innovation
• Fiat Mio Project: Open Innovation
• Campbell Soup Company: Collaborative Innovation
• US and Brazilian Healthcare Innovation and Policy
• Silicon Valley’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Innovation Development in Dubai Schools
• Principles of Innovation and Measuring Success
• The Eustachian Tube Disease and Innovation Treatment
• Labor Relation: Application of Innovation
• Effective Use of Non-Incremental Innovations
• Diffusion of Innovations Theory in Education
• Apple Inc.’s Innovation: Search, Select, Implement
• IBM Innovation: Search, Select, Implement, Capture
• Successful Advertising and Innovation in Companies
• Company Innovation Shift to Experience Environments
• Performance Index and Quality Management Innovation
• Dubai Support of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• National Response Corporation’s Creativity and Innovation
• The Internet as a Information Systems Innovation
• Innovations at the Roads and Transport Authority
• Innovation Maturity Models Comparison
• Innovation Maturity Models Concept
• Online Learning and Innovations in Pedagogy
• Dubai Customs and Innovation Management Maturity Model
• STAR Insole Innovation: Business Plan
• The Big-data Technologies: Value and Innovation
• Apple Company’s Design Thinking and Innovation
• Organizational Transformation and Promotion of Innovation
• Riordan Manufacturing’s Innovation Drivers
• Canadian Innovation Strategy and Policymaking
• Vienna as a Smart City and Its Innovations
• Open and Closed Innovation: The Right Balance
• Android Platform and Diffusion of Innovations
• Darden Restaurants’ Innovation Strategy
• Google’s Innovation and Recruitment Management
• Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
• Kinsmen Sports Centre: Marketing Metrics Innovation
• Spurring Socially Beneficial Pharmaceutical Innovation in Canada
• National System of Innovation’ Contributions
• Innovation in Global World
• Promoting Innovations in the Workplace
• Innovation Life Cycle: S-curve Technology
• Global Population Innovation and Sustainability
• Tradition and Innovation in the Academic Cognition World
• Music Special Innovation for the Physical Exercise
• Predicting Future Innovations in the Techno World
• Environmental Issues of Energy Innovations
• Cloud Storage: Modern Trends and Innovations
• Innovation, Revolution and Global Crisis
• Innovation Management in a B2B Context
• Apple Company: Led by the Power of Innovation
• Intelligence Technologies: Helpful Innovations or Threats
• Business Creativity and Innovation
• Management Issues: Business Innovation Decisions
• Innovation and Creativity in Organizations
• The Impact of Marketing Innovation and Creativity on Service Firms
• Innovation in Brazil: Organizations and Institutions
• Mapping the Innovation Process: Air New Zealand
• Mapping the Innovation Process at Etihad Airways
• Innovation in Various Companies
• Innovation Pessimism: Has the Ideas Machine Broken Down?
• Technological Innovations for New Methods of Production
• Innovation of Diffusion on ‘Eco-Friendly Bags
• ”Good Planning Is the Key to Learning and Innovation in Organization”
• Innovation and Creativity Cannot Be Developed in an Organization
• Innovations in the Cell Phone Industry and Sustainability
• Wal-Mart’s Innovative Operations & Strategies
• Generic Toolkit for Implementing a Web-Based Product Innovation Strategy for Zara Fashion Retailer
• Managing Innovations and Entrepreneurship
• Value Innovation Strategy
• DPI Strategy Implementation in the Present-Day Environment: Disruptive Innovation Saves the Day
• Managing Innovation for Business
• Importance of Open Innovation in Firm Development
• Maintenance Management Systems Innovation
• Innovation at Philips Lighting
• Technology Innovation: The Theft Prevention Chip Enterprise
• Collaboration Technology and Innovation
• How Can Innovations Sustain Brands?
• Product Innovation and Management
• Change Management and Innovation Promotion
• Saudi Aramco Organisational Innovation
• Innovation in Business Development
• Nypro Inc’s Innovation Model
• Assessment of Innovation in Organisations
• Marketing Design and Innovation: Smart TV’s
• Innovations in Healthcare Service Delivery
• Business Management and Social Innovation
• Business Strategies to Ensure Innovation
• LLB Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The United Arab Emirates
• Culture and Innovation in the Palladium Group
• Exploitation of Innovation Within an Organization
• Managing projects for innovation and enterprises
• A Process for Practicing Design Innovation
• Product Innovation in Business Organizations
• Radical Innovation Barriers
• SONY’s Eco Innovation for Televisions: A Memo
• How to Measure Innovation: DUBAL Company
• Master Blenders: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
• U.S. Auto Industry: Innovation and Profitability
• Innovation Enterprise and Winning the Bid – Business Plan
• How innovation happens: The ferment of finance
• Entrepreneurship, Innovation in Dynamic Business World
• Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Dynamic Capitalism
• Product and Service Design and Innovation from the Marketing
• Leading Innovation and Change Management
• ”The Role of Innovation in Achieving Competitive Advantage”
• How innovation add value to hotels
• Reflective Thinking: The Power of Innovations. Using Brand New Ideas
• Effective Leadership and Innovation
• Culturally Bound Innovation in Romanian Clinic and Research Hospital
• Leadership and Innovation in the Business
• Organizational Development: Motivation, Communication, and Innovation
• Wrigley’s Innovation in China’s Confectionary Market
• Irizar’s Knowledge Management
• Innovation, Change and Leadership
• Market Orientation, Product Innovation and Market Performance: the Case of Small Independent Companies
• The Innovator’s Dilemma: Open Innovation or Discontinuous Innovation
• Innovation and Its Impacts on the Financial Performance of Businesses
• Business Innovation and Strategy
• The Community Employment Innovation Project (CEIP)
• Innovation Planning and Design Process
• What New Media Will Look Like in 2023: A Time Travel Into the Era When Innovations Clash With Ownership Issues
• Sustained Incremental Innovation
• Technological Innovations in Mining and Metallurgy and Textile Manufacturing Industries in Medieval Europe
• Rexona Product Innovation
• Team Work and Product Innovation
• Bureaucracy is the Best Way to Deliver Change and Innovation in an Organization
• Innovation and New Products
• Article Summary: “Growth: The great innovation debate”
• Managing Quality, Innovation and Knowledge
• The Use of Modern Innovations in the Production of Commodities
• Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation
• Innovation for Global Relationships Management
• Managing Change and Innovation in Worley Parson
• Globalisation, Innovation, and Change
• Innovation: Instagram (App)
• Wireless Technologies on Their Way: The Essence of Innovations
• Management Change and Innovation
• Change and Innovation at the Coca-Cola Company
• Organizational Change Management: Culture, Development and Innovation
• “Growth and Innovation” by Canadian Business Network
• IT Innovation and Its Impact on Business
• How Characteristics of Innovation Affect Success of a Product
• Improvement, Integration and Innovation
• Challenges of Innovation Activities in Hotels to Increase Business
• Blue Ocean Simulation: Innovation in New and Existing Firms
• Strategic Innovation and Technology Management
• Compare Japanese and USA National Innovation systems
• Innovation and Creativity in Marketing frozen vegetable
• Managing Innovation
• Innovations: Planned and Unplanned
• National innovation system in Germany last 20 years
• How innovation leads to economic development
• Managing Innovation at Nypro, Inc.
• Change, Creativity, and Innovation
• An Innovation of Solar Charged Laptops
• Canadian National Railway Co.: The Challenge and Fun of Innovation
• Innovation and Control in IT Companies
• Machiavelli and a Notion of Virtue as an Innovation
• Healthcare Innovation: Ground Source Heating & Cooling Equipment
• Initiating Innovations: Bill Gates and Benjamin Franklin
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Technology to defeat Ebola

Mathematics for a sustainable world, openmind books, scientific anniversaries, what is the purpose of music, featured author, latest book, how the internet has changed everyday life, what happened.

The Internet has turned our existence upside down. It has revolutionized communications, to the extent that it is now our preferred medium of everyday communication. In almost everything we do, we use the Internet. Ordering a pizza, buying a television, sharing a moment with a friend, sending a picture over instant messaging. Before the Internet, if you wanted to keep up with the news, you had to walk down to the newsstand when it opened in the morning and buy a local edition reporting what had happened the previous day. But today a click or two is enough to read your local paper and any news source from anywhere in the world, updated up to the minute.

The Internet itself has been transformed. In its early days—which from a historical perspective are still relatively recent—it was a static network designed to shuttle a small freight of bytes or a short message between two terminals; it was a repository of information where content was published and maintained only by expert coders. Today, however, immense quantities of information are uploaded and downloaded over this electronic leviathan, and the content is very much our own, for now we are all commentators, publishers, and creators.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Internet widened in scope to encompass the IT capabilities of universities and research centers, and, later on, public entities, institutions, and private enterprises from around the world. The Internet underwent immense growth; it was no longer a state-controlled project, but the largest computer network in the world, comprising over 50,000 sub-networks, 4 million systems, and 70 million users.

The emergence of  web 2.0  in the first decade of the twenty-first century was itself a revolution in the short history of the Internet, fostering the rise of social media and other interactive, crowd-based communication tools.

The Internet was no longer concerned with information exchange alone: it was a sophisticated multidisciplinary tool enabling individuals to create content, communicate with one another, and even escape reality. Today, we can send data from one end of the world to the other in a matter of seconds, make online presentations, live in parallel “game worlds,” and use pictures, video, sound, and text to share our real lives, our genuine identity. Personal stories go public; local issues become global.

The rise of the Internet has sparked a debate about how online communication affects social relationships. The Internet frees us from geographic fetters and brings us together in topic-based communities that are not tied down to any specific place. Ours is a networked, globalized society connected by new technologies. The Internet is the tool we use to interact with one another, and accordingly poses new challenges to privacy and security.

Information technologies have wrought fundamental change throughout society, driving it forward from the industrial age to the networked era. In our world, global information networks are vital infrastructure—but in what ways has this changed human relations? The Internet has changed business, education, government, healthcare, and even the ways in which we interact with our loved ones—it has become one of the key drivers of social evolution.

The changes in social communication are of particular significance. Although analogue tools still have their place in some sectors, new technologies are continuing to gain ground every day, transforming our communication practices and possibilities—particularly among younger people. The Internet has removed all communication barriers. Online, the conventional constraints of space and time disappear and there is a dizzyingly wide range of communicative possibilities. The impact of social media applications has triggered discussion of the “new communication democracy.”

The development of the Internet today is being shaped predominantly by instant, mobile communications. The mobile Internet is a fresh revolution. Comprehensive Internet connectivity via smartphones and tablets is leading to an increasingly mobile reality: we are not tied to any single specific device, and everything is in the cloud.

People no longer spend hours gazing at a computer screen after work or class; instead, they use their mobile devices to stay online everywhere, all the time.

Anyone failing to keep abreast of this radical change is losing out on an opportunity.

Communication Opportunities Created by the Internet

The Internet has become embedded in every aspect of our day-to-day lives, changing the way we interact with others. This insight struck me when I started out in the world of social media. I created my first social network in 2005, when I was finishing college in the United States—it had a political theme. I could already see that social media were on the verge of changing our way of communicating, helping us to share information by opening up a new channel that cuts across conventional ones.

That first attempt did not work out, but I learned from the experience.I get the feeling that in many countries failure is punished too harshly—but the fact is, the only surefire way of avoiding failure is to do nothing at all. I firmly believe that mistakes help you improve; getting it wrong teaches you how to get it right. Creativity, hard work, and a positive attitude will let you achieve any goal.

In 2006, after I moved to Spain, I created Tuenti. Tuenti (which, contrary to widespread belief, has nothing to do with the number 20; it is short for “tu entidad,” the Spanish for “your entity”) is a social communication platform for genuine friends. From the outset, the idea was to keep it simple, relevant, and private. That’s the key to its success.

I think the real value of social media is that you can stay in touch from moment to moment with the people who really matter to you. Social media let you share experiences and information; they get people and ideas in touch instantly, without frontiers. Camaraderie, friendship, and solidarity—social phenomena that have been around for as long as humanity itself—have been freed from the conventional restrictions of space and time and can now thrive in a rich variety of ways.

Out of all the plethora of communication opportunities that the Internet has opened up, I would highlight the emergence of social media and the way they have intricately melded into our daily lives. Social media have changed our personal space, altering the way we interact with our loved ones, our friends, and our sexual partners; they have forced us to rethink even basic daily processes like studying and shopping; they have affected the economy by nurturing the business startup culture and electronic commerce; they have even given us new ways to form broad-based political movements.

The Internet and Education

The Internet has clearly impacted all levels of education by providing unbounded possibilities for learning. I believe the future of education is a networked future. People can use the Internet to create and share knowledge and develop new ways of teaching and learning that captivate and stimulate students’ imagination at any time, anywhere, using any device. By connecting and empowering students and educators, we can speed up economic growth and enhance the well-being of society throughout the world. We should work together, over a network, to build the global learning society.

The network of networks is an inexhaustible source of information. What’s more, the Internet has enabled users to move away from their former passive role as mere recipients of messages conveyed by conventional media to an active role, choosing what information to receive, how, and when. The information recipient even decides whether or not they want to stay informed.

We have moved on from scattergun mass communication to a pattern where the user proactively selects the information they need.

Students can work interactively with one another, unrestricted by physical or time constraints. Today, you can use the Internet to access libraries, encyclopedias, art galleries, news archives, and other information sources from anywhere in the world: I believe this is a key advantage in the education field. The web is a formidable resource for enhancing the process of building knowledge.

I also believe the Internet is a wonderful tool for learning and practicing other languages—this continues to be a critical issue in many countries, including Spain, and, in a globalized world, calls for special efforts to improve.

The Internet, in addition to its communicative purposes, has become a vital tool for exchanging knowledge and education; it is not just an information source, or a locus where results can be published, it is also a channel for cooperating with other people and groups who are working on related research topics.

The Internet and Privacy and Security

Another key issue surrounding Internet use is privacy. Internet users are becoming more sensitive to the insight that privacy is a must-have in our lives.

Privacy has risen near the top of the agenda in step with an increasing awareness of the implications of using social media. Much of the time, people started to use social media with no real idea of the dangers, and have wised up only through trial and error—sheer accident, snafus, and mistakes. Lately, inappropriate use of social media seems to hit the headlines every day. Celebrities posting inappropriate comments to their profiles, private pictures and tapes leaked to the Internet at large, companies displaying arrogance toward users, and even criminal activities involving private-data trafficking or social media exploitation.

All this shows that—contrary to what many people seem to have assumed—online security and privacy are critical, and, I believe, will become even more important going forward. And, although every user needs privacy, the issue is particularly sensitive for minors—despite attempts to raise their awareness, children still behave recklessly online.

I have always been highly concerned about privacy. On Tuenti, the default privacy setting on every user account is the highest available level of data protection. Only people the user has accepted as a “friend” can access their personal details, see their telephone number, or download their pictures. This means that, by default, user information is not accessible to third parties. In addition, users are supported by procedures for reporting abuse. Any user can report a profile or photograph that is abusive, inappropriate, or violates the terms of use: action is taken immediately. Security and privacy queries are resolved within 24 hours.

We need to be aware that different Internet platforms provide widely different privacy experiences. Some of them are entirely open and public; no steps whatsoever are taken to protect personal information, and all profiles are indexable by Internet search engines.

On the other hand, I think the debate about whether social media use should be subject to an age requirement is somewhat pointless, given that most globally active platforms operate without age restrictions. The European regulatory framework is quite different from the United States and Asian codes. Companies based in Europe are bound by rigorous policies on privacy and underage use of social media. This can become a competitive drawback when the ground rules do not apply equally to all players—our American and Japanese competitors, for instance, are not required to place any kind of age constraint on access.

Outside the scope of what the industry or regulators can do, it is vital that users themselves look after the privacy of their data. I believe the information is the user’s property, so the user is the only party entitled to control the collection, use, and disclosure of any information about him or herself. Some social networks seem to have forgotten this fact—they sell data, make it impossible to delete an account, or make it complex and difficult to manage one’s privacy settings. Everything should be a lot simpler and more transparent.

Social networks should continue to devote intense efforts to developing self-regulation mechanisms and guidelines for this new environment of online coexistence to ensure that user information is safe: the Internet should be a space for freedom, but also for trust. The main way of ensuring that social media are used appropriately is awareness. But awareness and user education will be of little use unless it becomes an absolute requirement that the privacy of the individual is treated as a universal value.

The Internet and Culture

As in the sphere of education, the development of information and communication technologies and the wide-ranging effects of globalization are changing what we are, and the meaning of cultural identity. Ours is a complex world in which cultural flows across borders are always on the rise. The concepts of space, time, and distance are losing their conventional meanings. Cultural globalization is here, and a global movement of cultural processes and initiatives is underway.

Again, in the cultural arena, vast fields of opportunity open up thanks to online tools. The possibilities are multiplied for disseminating a proposal, an item of knowledge, or a work of art. Against those doomsayers who warn that the Internet is harming culture, I am radically optimistic. The Internet is bringing culture closer to more people, making it more easily and quickly accessible; it is also nurturing the rise of new forms of expression for art and the spread of knowledge. Some would say, in fact, that the Internet is not just a technology, but a cultural artifact in its own right.

In addition to its impact on culture itself, the Internet is enormously beneficial for innovation, which brings progress in all fields of endeavor—the creation of new goods, services, and ideas, the advance of knowledge and society, and increasing well-being.

The Internet and Personal Relationships

The Internet has also changed the way we interact with our family, friends, and life partners. Now everyone is connected to everyone else in a simpler, more accessible, and more immediate way; we can conduct part of our personal relationships using our laptops, smart phones, and tablets.

The benefits of always-online immediate availability are highly significant. I would find a long-distance relationship with my life partner or my family unthinkable without the communication tools that the network of networks provides me with. I’m living in Madrid, but I can stay close to my brother in California. For me, that is the key plus of the Internet: keeping in touch with the people who really matter to me.

As we have seen, the Internet revolution is not just technological; it also operates at a personal level, and throughout the structure of society. The Internet makes it possible for an unlimited number of people to communicate with one another freely and easily, in an unrestricted way.

Just a century ago, this was unimaginable. An increasing number of couples come together, stay together, or break up with the aid—or even as a consequence—of social communication tools. There are even apps and social networks out there that are purposely designed to help people get together for sex.

Of course, when compared to face-to-face communication, online communication is severely limited in the sense impressions it can convey (an estimated 60 to 70 percent of human communication takes place nonverbally), which can lead to misunderstandings and embarrassing situations—no doubt quite a few relationships have floundered as a result. I think the key is to be genuine, honest, and real at all times, using all the social media tools and their many advantages. Let’s just remember that a liar and a cheat online is a liar and a cheat offline too.

The Internet and Social and Political Activism

Even before the emergence of social media, pioneering experiments took place in the political sphere—like  Essembly , a project I was involved in. We started to create a politically themed platform to encourage debate and provide a home for social and political causes; but the social networks that have later nurtured activism in a new way were not as yet in existence.

Research has shown that young people who voice their political opinions on the Internet are more inclined to take part in public affairs. The better informed a citizen is, the more likely they will step into the polling booth, and the better they will express their political liberties. The Internet has proved to be a decisive communication tool in the latest election campaigns. It is thanks to the Internet that causes in the social, welfare, ideological, and political arenas have been spoken up for and have won the support of other citizens sharing those values—in many cases, with a real impact on government decision making.

The Internet and Consumer Trends

New technologies increase the speed of information transfer, and this opens up the possibility of “bespoke” shopping. The Internet offers an immense wealth of possibilities for buying content, news, and leisure products, and all sorts of advantages arise from e-commerce, which has become a major distribution channel for goods and services. You can book airline tickets, get a T-shirt from Australia, or buy food at an online grocery store. New applications support secure business transactions and create new commercial opportunities.

In this setting, it is the consumer who gains the upper hand, and the conventional rules and methods of distribution and marketing break down. Consumers’ access to information multiplies, and their reviews of their experience with various products and services take center stage. Access to product comparisons and rankings, user reviews and comments, and recommendations from bloggers with large followings have shaped a new scenario for consumer behavior, retail trade, and the economy in general.

The Internet and the Economy

The Internet is one of the key factors driving today’s economy. No one can afford to be left behind. Even in a tough macroeconomic framework, the Internet can foster growth, coupled with enhanced productivity and competitiveness.

The Internet provides opportunities for strengthening the economy: How should we tackle them? While Europe—and Spain specifically—are making efforts to make the best possible use of the Internet, there are areas in which their approach needs to improve. Europe faces a major challenge, and risks serious failure if it lets the United States run ahead on its own. The European Commission, in its “Startup Manifesto,” suggests that the Old World be more entrepreneur-friendly—the proposal is backed by companies like Spotify and Tuenti. Europe lacks some of the necessary know-how. We need to improve in financial services and in data privacy, moving past the obsolete regulatory framework we now have and making a bid to achieve a well-connected continent with a single market for 4G mobile connections. We need to make it easier to hire talent outside each given country.

The use of e-commerce should be encouraged among small and medium-sized enterprises so that growth opportunities can be exploited more intensely. Following the global trend of the Internet, companies should internalize their online business. And much more emphasis should be placed on new technologies training in the academic and business spheres.

Modern life is global, and Spain is competing against every other country in the world. I do not believe in defeatism or victim culture. Optimism should not translate into callousness, but I sincerely believe that if you think creatively, if you find a different angle, if you innovate with a positive attitude and without fear of failure, then you can change things for the better. Spain needs to seize the moment to reinvent itself, grasping the opportunities offered up by the online world. We need to act, take decisions, avoid “paralysis through analysis.” I sometimes feel we are too inclined to navel-gazing: Spain shuts itself off, fascinated with its own contradictions and local issues, and loses its sense of perspective. Spain should open up to the outside, use the crisis as an opportunity to do things differently, in a new way—creating value, underlining its strengths, aspiring to be something more.

In the United States, for instance, diving headfirst into a personal Internet-related startup is regarded as perfectly normal. I’m glad to see that this entrepreneurial spirit is beginning to take hold here as well. I believe in working hard, showing perseverance, keeping your goals in view, surrounding yourself with talent, and taking risks. No risk, no success. We live in an increasingly globalized world: of course you can have a Spain-based Internet startup, there are no frontiers.

We need to take risks and keep one step ahead of the future. It is precisely the most disruptive innovations that require radical changes in approach and product, which might not even find a market yet ready for them—these are the areas providing real opportunities to continue being relevant, to move forward and “earn” the future, creating value and maintaining leadership. It is the disruptive changes that enable a business, product, or service to revolutionize the market—and, particularly in the technology sector, such changes are a necessity.

The Future of Social Communications, Innovation, Mobile Technologies, and Total Connectivity in Our Lives

The future of social communications will be shaped by an  always-online  culture.  Always online  is already here and will set the trend going forward. Total connectivity, the Internet you can take with you wherever you go, is growing unstoppably. There is no turning back for global digitalization.

Innovation is the driving force of growth and progress, so we need to shake up entrenched processes, products, services, and industries, so that all of us together—including established businesses, reacting to their emerging competitors—can move forward together.

Innovation is shaping and will continue to shape the future of social communications. It is already a reality that Internet connections are increasingly mobile. A survey we conducted in early 2013 in partnership with Ipsos found that 94 percent of Tuenti users aged 16 to 35 owned cell phones, 84 percent of users connected to the Internet using their phones, and 47 percent had mobile data subscriptions for connecting to the Internet. A total of 74 percent of users reported connecting to the Internet from their phone on a daily basis, while 84 percent did so at least weekly. Only 13 percent did not use their phones to connect to the Internet, and that percentage is decreasing every day.

Mobile Internet use alters the pattern of device usage; the hitherto familiar ways of accessing the Internet are changing too. The smartphone activities taking up the most time (over three hours a day) include instant messaging (38%), social media use (35%), listening to music (24%), and web browsing (20%). The activities taking up the least time (under five minutes a day) are: SMS texting (51%), watching movies (43%), reading and writing e-mail (38%), and talking on the phone (32%). Things are still changing.

Smartphones are gaining ground in everyday life. Many of the purposes formerly served by other items now involve using our smartphones. Some 75 percent of young people reported having replaced their MP3 player with their phone, 74 percent use their phone as an alarm clock, 70 percent use it as their camera, and 67 percent use it as their watch.

We have been observing these shifts for a while, which is why we decided to reinvent ourselves by placing smartphones at the heart of our strategy. I want to use this example as a showcase of what is happening in the world of social communication and the Internet in general: mobile connectivity is bringing about a new revolution. Tuenti is no longer just a social network, and social media as a whole are becoming more than just websites. The new Tuenti provides native mobile apps for Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Phone, as well as the Firefox OS app and the mobile version of the website, m.tuenti.com. Tuenti is now a cross-platform service that lets users connect with their friends and contacts from wherever they may be, using their device of choice. A user with a laptop can IM in real time with a user with a smartphone, and switch from one device to another without losing the thread of the conversation. The conversations are in the cloud, so data and contacts are preserved independently of the devices being used. This means the experience has to be made uniform across platforms, which sometimes involves paring down functionalities, given the processing and screen size limitations of mobile devices. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and so on are all evolving to become increasingly cross-platform experiences. But Tuenti is the first social network that has also developed its own Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)—the company is an Internet service provider over the mobile network. Tuenti is an MVNO with a social media angle, and this may be the future path of telecommunications.

Social media are evolving to become something more, and innovation must be their hallmark if they are to continue being relevant. Tuenti now embraces both social communications and telecom services provision, offering value added by letting you use the mobile app free of charge and without using up your data traffic allowance, even if you have no credit on your prepaid card—this is wholly revolutionary in the telecom sector. The convergence of social media with more traditional sectors is already bringing about a new context for innovation, a new arena for the development and growth of the Internet.

Just about everything in the world of the Internet still lies ahead of us, and mobile communications as we know them must be reinvented by making them more digital. The future will be shaped by innovation converging with the impact of mobility. This applies not just to social media but to the Internet in general, particularly in the social communications field. I feel that many people do not understand what we are doing and have no idea of the potential development of companies like ours at the global level. Right now, there may be somebody out there, in some corner of the world, developing the tool that will turn the Internet upside down all over again. The tool that will alter our day-to-day life once more. Creating more opportunities, providing new benefits to individuals, bringing more individual and collective well-being. Just ten years ago, social media did not exist; in the next ten years, something else radically new will emerge. There are many areas in which products, processes, and services can be improved or created afresh. The future is brimming with opportunities, and the future of the Internet has only just begun.

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Essay: Innovations that Changed the World

• Essay: Innovations that Changed the…

Over the years that the humans have walk upon the earth there have been countless technological innovations, some dating back to the Stone Age.  Although the ancient world didn’t have all the resources that we have today, the people of those times did magnificent things that paved the road for us today; from the stone tools made in Paleolithic and Mesolithic times to the wheel in 3000 BC, all the way to the pyramids in 2560 BC.  These inventions helped make it possible for us to build smartphones, remote controls, and skyscrapers.

Throughout the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, humans used stone tools.  These stone tools are the oldest technology that has evidence of surviving.  The humans would use flakes of rock, usually flint, to make different tools.  For example, the oldwan choppers, seen to the right, were designed to help break things down.  These stone tools can be compared to smartphones, the most useful tool of today. 

While the humans of the past had a different shape designed for different tasks, today we have “an app for that.”  Smartphones have different apps designed for each task; likewise, there are different designs of stone for each objective.  A smartphone is a tool that most people today could not live without.  Like stone tools, a smartphone is designed to make the lives of people easier. 

Lastly, stone tools were refined by Neolithic farmers.  These farmers sharpened the stone tools, making them better suited for hunting spears and knives.  The same goes for the smartphone.  It seems like every other month there is a new update to make the device better suited for the task at hand.

With the invention of the wheel, transportation was put on another level.  Although it is believed that the first wheels were meant for pottery in Mesopotamia, they ended up being an invention that changed the way humans traveled.  The remote is a great innovation to society. 

The remote, like the wheel, changed the lives of humans.  Before the wheel, people would have to walk everywhere.  In the same way, the remote made it so we did not have to get up to change a channel on the television.  The remote made life easier for people, as did the wheel.  These two inventions were made to help people in their everyday lives but actually helped to make people lazier. 

The wheel made it so people didn’t have to walk and the remote made it so people didn’t have to get up, leaving people able to sit most of the time.  Obviously, these technological breakthroughs had both positive and negative effects.

Around 2560 BC, the Egyptians created one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the pyramids.  The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man-made structure for almost 4,000 years. Today, if we go to a city we can see buildings that are a quarter of a mile tall.  These buildings help to make more space for business by taking up unused air space, which is why they are an important invention. 

Skyscrapers have multiple purposes, one of these purposes is to be a living environment like hotels and apartments.  The pyramids were used as a final resting place for Egyptian kings.  Like the rich kings of Egypt who had the best, rich people today usually have the best living environment in hotel skyscrapers. These huge structures are all being outdone, like the pyramids were, losing the title of the tallest building. 

The Great Pyramid of Giza may have lasted 4,000 years without being outdone, now, however, it is hard for one to last 10 years.  The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world, reigning 2,717 feet, but there is another skyscraper said to be built in 2017 which would be 3,280 feet tall, that is nearly one kilometer.  Clearly, the ancient world built up the way for us to soar to new heights.

To conclude, the inventions from the past can be seen in the innovations of today; from the stone tools and the wheel help making it possible to make the pyramids, all the way to discoveries today, like the smartphone, remote, and skyscrapers.  Nolan Bushnell once said, “The best ideas lose their owners and take on lives of their own.” 

This quote is seen in all of these technological discoveries that changed the world.  Ultimately, without these inventions we would be just cavemen without tools, never advancing in evolution.

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Author:  William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)

Tutor and Freelance Writer. Science Teacher and Lover of Essays. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

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• Open access
• Published: 11 October 2017

The impact of technological innovation on building a sustainable city

• Chai-Lee Goi 1  

International Journal of Quality Innovation volume  3 , Article number:  6 ( 2017 ) Cite this article

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By 2050, the population living in major cities, especially in developing countries, will have increased twofold. With the increasing majority of the population occurring in urban areas, it is crucial to focus on how technological innovation can help to deliver a sustainable future. A sustainable city strives to create a sustainable living environment through the use of technology. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to review the impact of technological innovation on building a more sustainable city. Technological innovation has changed the overall effectiveness and benevolence over time and with regard to sustainability. A sustainable city involves development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development encompasses all aspects of environmental stewardship, social development, and economic progress.

This review paper will be significantly important to the society in terms of building a more sustainable city especially related to economy, social and environment through the technological innovation. Organising a sustainability agenda requires at the start an interactive approach that involves public authorities, citizens and business stakeholders. This is important to obtain broader support and increase momentum. Furthermore, the study will be important to the policy makers, particularly to Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation and City Council in developing a more sustainable plans and strategies in the future.

Introduction

Cities can be classified based on the cities proper (administrative), the extent of the urban area, or the metropolitan regions [ 1 ]. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) [ 2 ] also classified the size of cities based on four categories. First, a large metropolitan area has a population of 1.5 million or more. Second, the metropolitan area has a population between 500,000 and 1.5 million people. Third, a medium-sized urban area has a population of about 200,000 to 500,000 people. Fourth, a small-sized urban area has a population of about 500,000 to 200,000 people.

“The world is undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in history. More than half of the world’s population now lives in towns and cities” [ 3 ]. From 1950 to 2010, 1.3 billion people live in small cities, 632 million people live in medium-sized cities, and 570 million people live in large cities [ 4 ]. By 2050, the population living in cities, especially in developing countries, will have increased twofold. Thus, “the problems created by rampant urbanisation are among the most important challenges of our time. They also represent one of the greatest opportunities – and responsibilities – for the private sector. Business is uniquely positioned to shape the sustainable, economically competitive cities of the future” [ 5 ]. With urban areas containing the increasing majority of the population, it is very important to focus on how technological innovation can help deliver a sustainable future. A smart sustainable city strives to create a sustainable living environment through the use of technology [ 6 ]. “Transforming cities for the better through sustainable technology” [ 7 ].

There are several issues that pose a major impact on the quality of life that drives the shift towards a more sustainable city. First, there is a rapid rise in the number of people who move into and live in cities. Trends and lifestyle have led to the development of infrastructure and buildings, along with cultural and social practices without destroying nature and the environment. Therefore, there is a need to create a smart city by involving smart energy management, infrastructure development, waste and environment management, public-private partnerships, economic development plans, smart healthcare, and smart education programs. Second, it is a huge challenge to transform a city through sustainable technological innovation. Sometimes a city fails to recognise the challenges of the digital divide [ 8 ]. The development of the tomorrow sustainable city must be well planned, offers services, involves the community, and includes well-linked whole systems.

Thus, the key question that has been addressed is whether technological innovation has an impact on building a sustainable city.

This paper provides an original approach that offers a discussion of the impact of technological change on building a sustainable city. Furthermore, a substantial number of references are included to indicate the specific researches for the analysis of this topic. The paper is organised as follows:

The first section is related to technological innovation. This section covers the overview of technological innovation and also innovation in technological change.

The second section is related to the discussion of a sustainable city. This section covers a few issues related mainly to the environment, social, and economy.

The third section covers the impact of technological innovation on building a sustainable city.

The final section discusses the conclusion and the limitations for future research.

• Technological innovation

Technological innovation involves “the introduction of something new, or a new idea, method, or device” [ 9 ]. Sustainable development must take into account the effectiveness of the technology [ 10 ]. Technological innovation, as part of technological change [ 8 ], allows organisations to test new ideas at speeds and prices that were never anticipated a decade ago [ 11 ]. “Changes in consumption patterns can drive the creation of new technologies necessary for sustainability and their adoption and diffusion at the desired pace. Success in bringing about these changes will require substantial reorganisation of the economy and society and changes in lifestyles. Economic and financial incentives for the creation and adoption of new technologies will be needed, which may include innovative policy reforms” [ 4 ].

Innovation in technological change

Innovation is related to how consumers perceive an idea, a practice, a product, or an object as a new thing, and begins with consumers’ awareness of the innovation. Meanwhile, diffusion is a process in which information about the innovation is conveyed through certain channels over time among the consumers [ 12 ]. Vergragt [ 13 ] discussed that innovation goes beyond invention. It refers to the spread of new technology into the wider society.

The development of technological innovation has led to the sixth generation. Rothwell [ 14 ] mentioned that the development of technological innovation in the first stage up to the fifth has already begun since the 1950s. The generations of innovation include technology push, market/demand pull, coupling, cross-functioning, as well as integration and networking. Hasan and Adomdza [ 15 ] added another generation, a sixth generation, known as design-driven innovation. It means to design new products whilst simultaneously creating a need for consumers. Technological change and sustainability are closely related to each other. Both factors form the innovation in order to improve the effectiveness of environmental stewardship, social development, and economic progress [ 16 ].

Technology is transforming innovation at its core, and the speed of change involves evolution, effect, and what is ahead [ 11 ]. Gartner [ 17 ] revealed three distinct technology trends that are poised to be of the highest priority in terms of facing rapidly accelerating digital innovation. The combination of digital innovation in the business model will establish and empower a city to be more sustained. The summary of technology innovation can be illustrated into Fig.  1 .

Transparently immersive experiences. Technology becomes more human-centric, where it will introduce transparency between people, businesses, and things. Also, the evolution of technology becomes more adaptive, contextual, and fluid within the workplace, at home, and interacting with businesses and other people.

The perceptual smart machine age. Smart technology will be the most disruptive over the next decade. This will allow organisations with smart machine technologies to harness data in order to adapt to new situations and solve problems.

The platform revolution. Emerging technology is revolutionising the concepts of how platforms can be defined and used. This includes shifting technical infrastructure to ecosystem-enabling platforms, which is laying the foundations for entirely new business models that are forming the bridge between humans and technology.

Hype cycle for emerging technologies. Source: Gartner [ 17 ]

Although a research related to technology innovation has reached 100 years, the convergence of research related to science, technology, and innovation only began in 1960 [ 18 ]. The overall technological innovation system has garnered widespread attention, especially beyond the context of sustainability. Besides technological innovation system, there have been other aspects that are related to system delineation, spatial aspects, transitions, politics, and policy recommendations [ 19 ].

There are two main components related to the study of innovation. First is the use of patent scale, whereby the data is used to study the geography of innovation and also the spatial extent of knowledge spillover. Second is the measuring of innovation by using survey. This refers to a set of questions that asks establishments whether a new product, process, or organisational innovation has been introduced. The questions are also related to whether the innovation is new [ 20 ]. Reviews have been conducted on updated academic articles that were published in 2017 in order to further understand the trends of technological innovation.

One of the main problems of urban sustainability is related to energy consumption. Velmurugan [ 21 ], in his study, focused on the sustainable perspectives of energy consumption. The results showed that the energy saved in 1 year could be used power 60,000 European homes. In practice, manufacturers, especially, can improve energy efficiency through design and implement energy-efficient projects on their own or enter into energy performance contracting (EPC), which mainly includes shared and guaranteed savings [ 22 ]. Also, Miao’s [ 23 ] study discussed the overall energy system and CO 2 emission. The population scale is the most important factor in residential energy consumption and CO 2 emissions.

The world has witnessed extreme environmental deterioration over the past few decades. Rapid development in urban areas has caused severe environmental pollution and ecological destruction. Green innovation is an important approach to achieve sustainable city development. There is even a relationship between legitimacy pressure, profitability, and green innovation. Green innovation will lay the foundation for balancing profit and environmental responsibility, and at the same time achieve the harmonious development of socioeconomic environmentally [ 24 ]. The continuity of technological innovation involves green technological innovation, green institutional innovation, and green business model innovation [ 25 ].

Technological innovation is not just related to road management system, building management system, and public facilities management, but also to solid waste management. The problems of solid waste management include the amount and composition of waste generated, rapid expansion of urban areas, funding issues, rapid technological advancement, and limited energy and raw materials [ 26 , 27 ].

To ensure the success of technological innovation, it requires a consolidation policy. Isaksson et al. [ 28 ] proposed layering and parallel policy-making. It is a complementary concept to understand the challenges associated with the implementation of sustainable mobility. A number of studies have also been identified to be related to policies such as environmental policies [ 29 ], transport policies [ 30 ], and policy and planning for shrinking cities [ 31 ].

• Sustainable city

A sustainable city means “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” [ 32 ]. In the twenty-first century, there has been a shift from sustainability assessment to smart-city goals, transformed into smart sustainable city [ 33 ].

The framework of a city should be holistically integrated with the urban sustainable principle [ 34 ]. Basically, most of the literatures that have been studied so far correlated innovation and city development together. Innovation is considered as a driver of economic growth. Innovation is also an open process, with innovative organisations drawing ideas, contacts, and learning opportunities from their environment [ 35 ].

Four dimensions of sustainable development have been identified in building a more sustainable city [ 36 , 37 ]:

Environmental dimension is related to the objectives of the conservation and preservation of the environment. This includes aspects such as atmosphere, soil, water, oceans and seas, biodiversity, and sanitation.

Social dimension is related to the objective that involves the satisfaction of human needs. They include population, employment and income, health, education, housing, and security, which aim to reflect the level of education, income distribution, and living conditions.

Economic dimension is concerned with the efficiency of production processes and changes in consumption patterns.

Institutional dimension includes the ability and effort spent by governments and societies to implement changes required for an effective implementation of sustainable development.

Environmental dimension

“Cities are at the crossroads of implementing system changes for sustainable development. Paradigm shifts are needed in multiple dimensions to redefine the relations of cities with the environment” [ 38 ]. “Cities impact their immediate environment, as well as the global environment” [ 39 ]. According to Sharma [ 40 ], a sustainable city includes environmental sustainability, heritage conservation, appropriate technology, infrastructure efficiency, placemaking, social access, transit-oriented development, regional integration, human scale, and institutional integrity.

Energy consumption in urban areas is as much as 75%. It also accounts for 70% of carbon dioxide emissions. To meet the needs of the population in urban areas, infrastructure development sometimes ignores ecological sustainability. Living in urban areas has contributed to pressure on the ecosystem. Human ecological footprint has exceeded the capacity of terrestrial ecosystems for as much as 50%. The level of ecosystem services at the moment is risky at a critical level of degradation. Thus, there are five major challenges for urban sustainability. These include ecological footprint, ecosystem services and biodiversity, investment for sustainability, the good life, as well as leadership and cooperation [ 41 ].

So far, a number of current issues related to the environment have been published. There is a close relationship between sustainable urban development and environmental sustainability. Therefore, it is important to formulate any strategy of transformation, renewal, and regeneration. A few studies have even evaluated the environmental outcomes and effectiveness of regeneration programmes, especially in relation to green spaces, access to public transportation, climate change, and seismic-risk reduction [ 42 ].

Due to the high population density in the city, transport system is a key issue being discussed. Nanaki et al. [ 43 ] mentioned that an efficient and flexible transport system is essential for a future of low carbon transport system. Their study also found that the differences in the levels of emissions coming from the different systems of each city depict differences in the quality and utilisation of transportation networks. Carbon emissions are correlated with income. Per capita incomes are higher in a city, which results in higher average per capita demand in major emissions sources. High carbon emissions have also increased from households. By understanding that behaviours affect energy consumption will be useful in promoting low carbon household [ 44 ].

El Ghorab and Shalaby [ 45 ] discussed a green city as a new approach for planning and developing a sustainable city. Sustainable urban development appears to be closely connected with the discursive production of green city or eco-city. The implementation of sustainable urban development focuses on green infrastructure, transit-oriented development, brownfield redevelopment, and carbon reduction plan [ 46 ]. The purpose of a green city is to strive to reduce environmental impact by reducing waste, expanding recycling, lowering emissions, and increasing housing density, while expanding open space and encouraging the development of sustainable local businesses [ 47 ]. Thus, a number of studies have been conducted that are related to green value. A study conducted by Vyas and Jha [ 48 ] and Shad et al. [ 49 ] stated that green building construction is considered to be an essential practice to achieve sustainability. Serrao-Neumann et al. [ 50 ] discussed the importance of connecting land use and water planning. Ogie et al.’s [ 51 ] study emphasised on flood mitigation infrastructure, whereby it is crucial to remove accumulating floodwater from low-lying areas where drainage is naturally poor due to a very low slope gradient. A study by Zhang et al. [ 52 ] concluded that the operating efficiency, operating performance, and service quality of a drainage enterprise is determined by its sustainable development level that involves urban wastewater treatment, construction of drainage engineering, operation and maintenance, and consulting. Peng et al. [ 53 ] evaluated ecosystems and the impacts caused by the change in the environment. A study conducted by Thorne et al. [ 54 ] included wider aspects. It involves making the allocation of land for urban development more sustainable and bears an impact on food production, ecosystem services, and biodiversity conservation.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) [ 55 ] developed a green city index in alignment with green management. It covers CO 2 emissions, energy, buildings, land use, transport, water and sanitation, waste management, air quality, and environmental governance (refer to Table  1 ). Another model of green management proposed 12 green guidelines for creating a happier, healthier, and a more sustainable and green city. The 12 green guidelines fall into three key categories: urban form (urban growth boundary, transit-oriented development, mixed-use, small blocks, and public green space), transportation (non-motorised transit, public transit, and car control), and energy and resources (green buildings, renewable and distributed energy, waste management, and water efficiency). They are also consistently moving towards to a smart city, which involves smart telecommunication, smart mobility, smart energy management, smart governance, smart public services, and smart safety [ 56 ].

Social dimension

The aspect of social development towards building a more sustainable city “occurs when the formal and informal [processes, systems, structures, and relationships] actively support the capacity of current and future generations to create healthy and liveable communities”. This social aspect covers equity, diversity, quality of life, democracy and governance, and inter-connectedness [ 57 ].

Bertacchini and Segre [ 58 ] addressed two major issues about social quality in culture-led urban regeneration plans. First is a plan in terms of the instrumental involvement of the community in participation practices. Second is an urban policy that is related to the creative city notion that needs to be implemented.

Living sociability involves the city itself and a combination of culture and nature [ 59 ]. The study conducted by Guzmán et al. [ 60 ] measured the link between cultural heritage management and sustainable urban development and identified three levels of a monitoring system of the management system: strategic level, operational level, and monitoring level.

The World Economic Forum [ 61 ] identified three indicators for social sustainability (refer to Fig.  2 ). The first indicator aims to assess a population’s access to basic necessities. It is a measure of inclusion, as well as a measure of the fulfilment of basic physical needs. The second indicator is linked to the concept of perceived economic security. It aims to evaluate a population’s vulnerability to economic exclusion. Finally, the third indicator assesses social cohesion.

Three indicators for social sustainability. Source: The World Economic Forum [ 61 ]

Economic dimension

There is a relationship between balance economic goals with social and environmental. As mentioned by Soubbotina [ 62 ], this balance can be discussed with reasons:

If environmental and social losses resulting from economic growth turn out to be higher than economic benefits, the overall result for people’s wellbeing becomes negative.

The economic growth itself inevitably depends on its natural and social conditions. To be sustainable, it must rely on a certain amount of natural resources and services provided by nature such as pollution absorption and resource regeneration. The economic growth must be constantly nourished by the fruits of human development.

Bullock et al. [ 63 ] studied the economic contribution to the sustainability and efficient functioning of a city, especially the benefits in an economic context of private individual benefits and public goods benefits. First, the economic assessment focuses on the impact on businesses. Second, in terms of private benefits, transport investment provides a mixture of private and public goods benefits. The time-saving in private benefits is a key motivation. Third, for business sales, perceptions of change in sales have been found to vary by location and nature or characteristics of products. Fourth, in terms of health benefits, it includes time-saving and reduced costs of congestion, pollution, and CO 2 emissions. The cycling activities provide physical exercise, which contributes to health and reduces expenditure on healthcare. Finally, in terms of time-saving and wider economic benefits, it contributes to the city’s economy by improving connectivity between journey, origin, and destination, and by reducing journey time.

It is very important to understand the challenges of a contemporary city. The challenge is due to the increasingly complex nature and the variety of the contemporary city [ 64 ]. Thus, a future city needs to balance economic development with energy efficiency and the preservation of natural resources in order to improve the quality of life [ 65 ]. “Balancing the immediate needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow is at the heart of being a sustainable city, and of this report” [ 66 ].

A study done by Van Osch and Avital [ 67 ] demonstrated the nature of sustainable innovation, which is sustained by the materiality, social structures, and institutional frameworks that comprise the overall sociotechnical system in which innovation takes place. The social value can be leveraged for shaping alternative courses of action, creating technological innovation, and developing novel practices that create sustainable value for society.

Sustainability challenges have affected the formation of planning and the vision to create a future city or smart city.

Han et al. [ 68 ] proposed the conceptual vision of a sustainable urban future in 2050. To achieve a low carbon society, various technological advances in transportation, buildings, and industries are among those that can contribute towards this end.

Kourtit et al. [ 69 ] proposed a roadmap for innovative strategic urban policy. This includes developing urban agglomeration as engines of creativity and technological innovation; exploiting technological opportunities and developing a sustainable urban system; laying the foundation for social cohesion and social capital; and developing ecological footprint and improve climate neutrality of urban areas.

Future urban configurations should concentrate on the efficient use of resources and opportunities in contributing to economic growth; deploying infrastructure, physical assets, and amenities; providing social services; minimising poverty, inequalities, and segments of the population; and protecting the environment and preserving natural assets [ 70 ].

Arcadis [ 66 ] released a list of the 100 most sustainable cities in the world. Most cities are from Europe and Asia. Ten of the most sustainable cities are Zurich, Singapore, Stockholm, Vienna, London, Frankfurt, Seoul, Hamburg, Prague, and Munich. Though there are three significant areas of correlation (people or social, planet or environment, and profit or economic), there are also other elements that make a city more sustainable:

The urban regeneration and innovation hubs for the future development, as the city transforms itself from a manufacturing centre to a knowledge, technology, and innovation centre for the nation.

The urban planning policies to strengthen the city’s identity, global competitiveness, development direction, and innovation in the living environment.

Adopting technological innovation, especially new innovative technologies, cyclical processes, and business models.

Conclusions

The world is undergoing an endless wave of urban growth. By 2050, the population living in cities will have increased twofold. One of the reasons that lead to this process is because a smart sustainable city strives to create a sustainable living environment through the use of technology. Technological innovation has affected effectiveness and delivered a sustainable future for city development. Thus, this paper plays a crucial role in analysing the impact of technological innovation on building a sustainable city.

The first analysis found that technological innovation has changed the overall effectiveness and benevolence with regard to sustainability. With the rapid growth of a city, technological innovation has changed the patterns of people. The use of technology has led to significant development of the sixth-generation technology. There is even a relationship between legitimacy pressure, profitability, and green innovation. Green innovation is an important approach for achieving sustainable city development. Second, a sustainable city creates an enduring way of life across environment, social, and economy. There are various aspects to redefine the relationship between city and environment. It is important to formulate strategies, transformations, renewals, and regenerations. This involves creating a green city in terms of urban form, transportation system, and energy and resources. Social aspects involve equity, diversity, quality of life, democracy and governance, and inter-connectedness. Meanwhile, the economy contributes to the sustainability and efficient functioning of a city, especially the benefits in an economic context of private individual benefits and public goods benefits. Overall, the impact of technological innovation has a positive impact on building a more sustainable city, especially in terms of environment, social, and economy. Thus, authorities, especially local government and city planners, should not neglect the importance of technological innovation.

However, this research has a few limitations. First, the preparation of this paper is based on the number of publications. Thus, it is without the field collection of primary data. Second, the lifespan of each sustainable city framework or model is not analysed. Technological change is speeding up. The pace of innovation is not just accelerating slightly, but exponentially [ 71 ]. The problem is whether the people can rival with the speed of technological innovation. Technological innovation advancements are accelerating faster than the abilities of the people to try to adapt and use them [ 72 ]. Also, the implementation of the framework or model for a sustainable city is usually more focused on a specific city, rather than to all cities. By adopting a sustainable model from other cities without the guided mould of a city is likely leading to a disaster. However, it is important to think global, act local.

Future research will be conducted for the continuation of this study. More specifically, it is the causal relationships that must be researched in order to measure the relationship between the influence of technological innovation on building a sustainable city (refer to Fig.  3 ). There are undiscovered potentials in technological innovation, especially new ideas, methods, and devices to transform a city towards sustainability. Thus, the design of the proposed research propositions is as follows:

Proposition 1: The new idea of technological innovation has an impact on building a sustainable city.

Proposition 2: The method of technological innovation has an impact on building a sustainable city.

Proposition 3: The device of technological innovation has an impact on building a sustainable city.

Research model

The research will be based on quantitative research, and a city will be chosen. Thus, we will choose Kuala Lumpur as our research city. As discussed by [ 73 ], Kuala Lumpur has a great policy and smart-city framework. Malaysia, as a whole, is a multi-racial, multi-religion, and multi-cultural country. One of the challenges of a city is the need to ensure economic, social, and environment sustainability now and in the medium- and long-term future. In the recent decade, researchers have discussed the importance of social sustainability within urban studies [ 74 ]. The data collection shall involve government sectors, especially city council, residents of the city, and business sectors.

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Essay about New Technology and Its Impact

New technology essay introduction, irreversibility of a technological progress, education and new technologies, healthcare and new technologies, workplace and new technologies, new technology essay conclusion, reference list.

New technologies play an increasingly important role in human lives. Nowadays, it is hard to imagine everyday life without a computer, cell phone, iPod, the Internet, etc. All these innovations become a considerable part of social life and change the way people live, communicate, work, and relax. Technological progress cannot be stopped or replaced.

This fact has to be understood to provide society with better living and working conditions and appropriate social services. The current paper aims at assessing the impact of new technologies upon society in such spheres as education, healthcare, and working management.

The chosen spheres seem to be a kind of the basis of any society, and if the impact of new technologies in these fields will be evaluated, the impact of new technologies upon society may be understood as well.

Technologies shape modern society and perform the role of a survival tool that cannot be neglected: on the one hand, new technologies may easily destroy society within a short period of time, and on the other hand, innovations can help to overcome the challenges, and people should gain control over all technologies and never forget that they, the people, not the technologies, are the creators of the future.

Almost every sphere of life is in need of constant changes, inventions, and ideas. People should understand the level of their responsibility about the way of how new technologies are implemented. Luppicini (2012) admits that people treat technology as “a complex social system defined by a complex set of human-technological relations embedded in life and society” (p. xviii).

The system of improvements promoted by new technologies may simply shape and reshape society (Naughton 2010). Many experts are ready to argue concerning who or what should run the process. There are many factors that influence the perception of technological progress.

However, one fact is evident and cannot be neglected – new technologies will enter each person’s life one day, and society has to accept every single innovation to survive in such a rapidly developing world.

Several years ago, people could spend days and nights making conclusions, evaluating the information, thinking about something, or planning a talk. Nowadays, people prefer to surf the web and find answers within a short period of time, use their cell phones or Skype and talk to any person around the whole globe, address an online expert, and get a number of ideas in several minutes (Kiesler 2014).

On the one hand, such technical assistance is a perfect way to improve living and working conditions; on the other hand, such a variety of choices frightens a lot as people stop thinking but rely on some technological help. Society does not want to think but read the already given facts and use them in life.

People do not want to listen to those who are sitting nearby but prefer to ask those who are miles away, by means of Facebook or something like that. However, such dependence upon technologies is an independent decision of people. People have all the chances to make independent decisions, think, analyze, evaluate, etc. but they simply do not want to.

People learn society, its peculiarities, and development when they are at schools. Most of them meet new technologies during the educative process. The choice of the sphere of education and its relation to new technologies is evident.

New technologies promote the development of new learning opportunities. For example, “academic librarians, as facilitators of the research and information-retrieval process, need to apply the new information technologies to information literacy programs actively and train their users to use the technologies” (Kern 2011, p. 92).

One decade ago, many students had to find numerous books, spend many hours reading some general literature to find out an answer to one question, and be upset with their inabilities to achieve good results. Nowadays, students are free to ask for literary help and get it quickly and spend the rest of the time, analyzing the necessary portion of the material.

At the same time, such an opportunity may become an obstacle for society – students become not able to work hard and prefer to use the easiest ways in their educational process. Instead of making independent calculations, students use online calculators; instead of developing a powerful essay, students may buy them online; instead of introducing their own ideas on a topic, students like to read the already developed projects, etc.

Bush (2012) says that new technologies used for education help society to see how far people have not come yet. If students have sophisticated curators, they are lucky to learn how advantaged new technologies can be.

Unfortunately, there are many tutors who do not want to follow the order that is required in classrooms. Such tutors allow using cell phones in class, addressing the web to find an answer in a short period of time, and communicating with peers by means of all their devices.

Such an impact of new technologies upon society is bad indeed. However, if tutors prefer real-life communication, support the absence of all additional devices except those, which are required for a lesson, and promote students thinking, analyzing, and even making mistakes to get to the truth, new technologies cannot do any harm to society.

If the evaluation of the connection between the sphere of education and new technologies shows how society should treat technological improvements, the evaluation of technologies’ implementation to the sphere of healthcare may prove that the techno progress is of high importance. Many experts admit that current health care is poorly delivered in many small towns, villages, and even big cities (Cooper 2010).

People are not always able to get the required portion of help because of information shortage, poor technologies, or lack of experience. New technologies are able to change the way of how healthcare is delivered (Cooper, 2010). Society may benefit from the available opportunities considerably.

For example, people can make an appointment with a necessary doctor online instead of calling the hospital and listening that the line is busy. Doctors can learn a patient’s information if online databases are available and think about treatment quicker. Such an impact of technologies upon society seems to be the most crucial.

Experts admit that the human brain, as the most sensitive organ, can be under a terrible threat from the modern world because new technologies may spread throughout human heads and hearts fast (Greenfield 2013). The use of technologies may be beneficial for one person and harmful for another person at the same time.

Many people get used to searching for information online and forget about the importance of personal experience, professional points of view, and attention to the details. For example, a young lady who has some problems with her stomach may not address her therapist but rely on the information found on the Internet. She chooses a wrong diagnosis with the wrong treatment.

The results may vary, and some of them are not always good. This is why only professional doctors, educated nurses, and other appropriate experts are free to combine technologies and healthcare to achieve good results and provide society with quality services.

The way of how people are able to interpret new technologies’ implementation at workplaces may predetermine the quality of social life as well. Managers truly believe that technologies improve the process of communication between co-workers and workers and consumers considerably (Leonardi 2009).

They hope to provide workers with more time for other activities, facilitate the exchange of information process, or focus on other possible improvements. When society is free to choose services, ideas, activities, etc., they feel happier and more satisfied with the life given. Still, when managers use the same tactics for their workers, they are not always sure about the results of the required organizational change.

In the beginning, people are ready to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the improvements offered instead of making an attempt and trying to accept the change. It is easier for society to follow an old order, familiar rules, and regular norms.

But society is not always able to notice that the earlier offered technologies have already spread and implemented within a short period of time. In other words, people are usually afraid of some changes at first or too lazy to accept something new. But, at the same time, they are too weak to resist the technological progress that is coming anyway and supported by a few people.

In general, the assessment of the impact of new technologies upon society helps to understand that people themselves are able to create the challenges that have to be overcome.

The evaluation of three different spheres of life (education, healthcare, and working management) and their dependence upon technological development shows that people are in need of some changes as well as they are under a threat of the outcomes of these changes all the time.

The paradox of relations between technologies and society is an ability to create the worst things from the best opportunities and vice versa. Even the best ideas may be harmful in the wrong hands; this is why society should be ready to discover, understand, and implement all new technologies in time and use them to survive, succeed, and enjoy this life.

Bush, T 2012, ‘ Exploring the future impact of technology on teaching and learning ’, The Guardian.

Cooper, G 2010, ‘Using technology to improve society’, The Guardian .

Greenfield, S 2013, ‘ Modern technology is changing the way our brains work, says neuroscientist ’, Mail Online .

Kern, MK 2011, ‘The impact of new technologies on current awareness tools in academic libraries’, Reference & User Services Quarterly , vol. 51, no. 2, pp.92-97.

Kiesler, S 2014, Culture of the Internet , Psychology Press, New York.

Leonardi, PM 2009, ‘Why do people reject new technologies and stymie organizational changes of which they are in favour? Exploring misalignments between social interactions and materiality’, Human Communication Research , vol. 35, pp. 407-441.

Luppicini, R 2012, Ethical impact of technological advancements and applications in society , Information Science Reference, Hershey.

Naughton, J 2010, ‘ The Internet: Is it changing the way we think? ’, The Guardian .

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