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In the realm of science fiction, there are plenty of stories focused on technology that ends up having a sinister effect on humankind. And as technology continues to play a greater role in our work and personal lives, cautionary tales have arisen that remind us that even tools created with the best intentions can cause unexpected problems.
However, there’s no doubt technology has also added significant improvements in the lives of people around the globe, including recent, rapidly deployed health, workplace and commerce technologies. Below, experts from Forbes Technology Council share their selections for technologies that have had a truly positive impact on the greater good.
1. Home Fitness Tech
The pandemic has caused an entire cottage industry to spring up around the concept of the home gym. Many startups have launched innovative new products in the digital gym arena that focus on ease of use and space-saving design. Artificial intelligence has added features to these products that bring all the benefits of a personal trainer without having to step out of your home. – Greg Bhatia, ShoreWise Consulting
2. EdTech
The world has been reshaped by technology, and nothing is more due for an update than the current educational system. This era of hyperconnectivity is allowing educators to tap into the digital era and adopt new technologies to help students reach their full potential. Edtech is having a truly positive impact on the greater good by democratizing access to education. – Julian Torres, Ontop
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3. AI-Powered Healthcare
Artificial intelligence applied to healthcare has already been a game-changer. AI can be applied throughout the entire patient journey, including monitoring individual health through the use of wearable devices, using devices that provide alerts for specific events and supporting doctors and patients with virtual assistants. The benefits will be even more evident as this technology advances. – Antonio Giarrusso, Userbot
4. Mental Health Apps
Mental health and resilience are critical elements of success and have a major impact on all aspects of our life. Meditation and wellness apps have become a lifeline in the age of remote work and hyperproductivity. They’re not only making an impact on people’s performance at work but also on their health and happiness at home. – Joanna Riley, Censia Talent Intelligence
5. Tech That Promotes Inclusivity
Using augmented intelligence for inclusion purposes—such as voice-assisted devices to help people with certain disabilities and improve quality of life—can be positively transformational if made widely accessible. Harvesting open-source data and intelligence to model the environmental impact (that is, hidden costs) of the digital age is another emerging application of technology that could lead to significant global benefits. – Simone Steel, Nationwide Building Society
6. Online Learning Platforms
Online learning platforms will have a tremendous effect on global society. Massive open online course companies not only make world-class education attainable for people in developed nations; even more impacted are the citizens of developing nations, who have limited access to leading academic institutions. The democratization of education could lead to rapid progress in global innovation and advance humanity as a whole. – Mischa Steiner, Awesense, Inc.
7. Blockchain
When people hear “blockchain,” they think cryptocurrency—but really, blockchain technology is about transparency. Used right, it ensures trust and accountability. With so much attention shifting to environmental, social and governance issues there’s a rising need for companies to quantify their emissions and sustainability efforts so investors can verify their data. Because of this, blockchain is going to play a pivotal role in addressing climate change. – Chris Romer, Project Canary
8. Water Technology
Affordable water-treatment technologies such as solar water disinfection (SODIS) and ceramic and biosand water filtration help to provide drinkable water for many of the estimated 2.3 billion people living in water-scarce areas. – Thomas Jensen, Milestone Systems
9. Digital Payment Technology
Digital payment technologies such as Venmo and Square have revolutionized the way businesses and consumers send and receive money. These apps have enabled access for those without traditional payment methods. Amid the pandemic, businesses can continue serving customers safely and securely by pivoting to digital platforms, which also mitigate the environmental costs associated with paper-based methods. – Kali Durgampudi, Greenway Health
10. No-Code Technology
No-code technologies push the boundaries of product development and enable functions outside of engineering to make better, faster decisions at higher velocities. They expedite the application development process and make building products accessible to a broader set of professionals across an organization. This is accelerating innovation across the board, giving rise to a new crop of startups. – Rick Song, Persona
11. Genomics
Genomics is the science focused on the structure, function, evolution and mapping of genomes using genetic engineering technology. With ever-increasing computer processing speeds (think quantum), DNA sequencing and advanced analytics have led to amazing progress in agricultural production, greenhouse gas reduction and even the ability to “fix” human genetic conditions. – Frederick John, Diebold Nixdorf
12. 3D Printing
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is making many new and exciting things possible. The processes involved enable highly flexible development through manufacturing techniques that use less material while creating stronger, more durable products thanks to input from sophisticated AI programs. – Ron Cogburn, Exela Technologies
13. GPS
While working for the U.S. Government in the ’90s, I had the opportunity to work on the Global Positioning System (GPS) as it started to commercialize. The value of knowing, with high accuracy, where you are located anywhere on earth has transformed transportation and created huge efficiencies in everyday life. Today it’s a service expected on any smart device—and it’s a free service. That’s good! – John Walsh, Red Summit Global
14. Agricultural Technology
Intelligent and connected agricultural technology is of paramount importance when it comes to increasing farm production yields around the world. The capability to scout, farm, treat, collect and provide early detection and response to diseases and threats through automation and robotics will enable both increased production and wider distribution to remote and poorer locations, increasing life expectancy and minimizing starvation. – Spiros Liolis, Micro Focus
15. Messenger RNA
Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology has tremendous potential beyond the success of the Covid vaccines. The ability to quickly and cheaply produce individualized, “designer” medicine has been science fiction for decades. Now, it’s not only within reach but has also been proven to be effective on a global scale. We’re at the first wave of a revolution in medicine that will change all of our lives for the better. – Alexander Hill, Senseye
16. Solar Cells
Solar (PV) cells have created meaningful disruption across all industries, showing how renewable tech can change the fundamentals of our shared world. They’ve ushered in an era of awareness and innovation, creating a bankable and cost-effective industry that businesses and individuals can utilize while making the world a better place. Now, we can all be active participants in energy conservation. – Michael Anderson, Expeto
17. Collaboration Tools
During the recent shutdowns, collaboration tools—including FaceTime, WhatsApp, Signal, Microsoft Teams and, of course, Zoom—have helped us stay connected not only with colleagues, professionals and customers but also our families, grandparents and grandchildren, and friends all over the world. When we were bound to our homes, many of us alone, these tools helped keep us connected, social and, most surely, sane. – Juliette Rizkallah, A Cloud Guru
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