Blog Entry #5

Overview / Summary

Today’s topic was Information Communications Technology (ICT) and World Change – past, present and future.  We talked about the types of ICT’s present in the world today – Mass media, Internet, gaming, wireless technologies, interactive telecommunications, info systems, cloud computing and knowledge management. We went in greater detail on cloud computing and knowledge management. For cloud computing, shared information, resources and software are provided to computers upon demand. We recognized the fact that cloud computing is a better way to run businesses. The shared data centre takes shorter to set up, has a lower cost and is easier to maintain and use. However we did take note of the issue of security of data, when companies store data on a shared database, the fear that other companies can access their data is always there. For knowledge management, we learnt the characteristics of data, information, knowledge and wisdom. Data is just symbols. When data is processed to be true, we gain information. Knowledge is the appropriate collection of information, such that it’s intent is to be useful, and when we have evaluated and understood knowledge, we have gained wisdom. We also talked about whether we are harnessing the full potential of ICT’s and if we are not, what will it take to capture ICT’s full potential.

Key Observations / Ideas

Lets talk about Milo, the interactive virtual boy. He can recognize and interact with humans. He can detect emotions and display his own emotions! Microsoft should be applying this technology into their gaming industry soon enough, but lets look at the big picture of the future prospects of the application of such a technology:

-       Prof suggested this technology could provide lonely elderly with companionship

-       I personally like the idea of a virtual secretary (like in IRON MAN) minding my timetable, deadlines as I deal with the hustle and bustle of life. Such an application of technology would definitely improve work productivity.

I feel that the invention of this technology has opened so many new doors. Imagine if our future security guards, bank tellers, cashiers, taxi drivers are all Milos! Of course, over reliance on this technology is a key concern.  A system being a system always has a chance of failing / crashing, hence while being open to using these technologies, we should remain adept in functioning if we were to one day lose these technologies.

 “The most exciting breakthroughs of the 21^st century will not occur because of technology, but because of an expanding concept of what it means to be human.”

I agree with this quote by John Naisbitt. Essentially, with the invention of ICT’s, we have become more globally connected. As mentioned during our discussion, our perception and interaction has been expanded. We are now capable of interacting with people halfway across the globe. For example, thanks to live news coverage on the Internet and media, we were kept well informed about the hostage situation that took place a half a month ago in the Philippine capital. We shared the experience even though we are geographically separated, such is the impact of ICT on human perception. As for interaction, ‘Skype’ should be a good enough example. The ability to have a videoconference on the Internet with another person anywhere in the world really shows how ICT has expanded human interaction.

“Today’s real borders are not between nations, but between the powerful and powerless, free and fettered, privileged and humiliated.”

With the rapid improvement in ICTs, geographical borders between countries are surpassed. But the inequality in other aspects has not been solved. For example, the divide between the rich and the poor has not gotten smaller.

Have we captured the full potential of ICT?

Definitely not. From the executive summary reading on GITR (Global Information Technology Report 2001-2002), experts came up with several reasons why we are not maximizing the benefit of ICT.

-       Computers themselves will not improve the learning process if we do not change our skills and learn new skills to maximize the benefit.

ICT’s are merely tools to manage OUR knowledge. Youtube, facebook and wikipedia would not be able to function, for example, without our knowledge inputs. As prof mentioned, ‘Garbage-in-garbage-out’.

-       Companies especially in the developing world, have to adapt to reap the benefits of ICT.

-       Most developing countries lack the appropriate managerial and organizational infrastructure.

-       Firms are not convinced that ICT could help their business.

-       Rural markets still have no contact with ICT.

What will it take to capture ICT’s full potential?

Some of the measures proposed in the reading above are to develop infrastructure in developing countries, constantly educate and impart ICT knowhow, and reach out to rural markets. The next chapter, “How ICT could really change the world” proposed a method which I think is quite interesting. The article stated that for technology to be used effectively to revolutionize economic development, we must match technology with need, and ICT’s can be used as a platform for doing this. One idea that one of the experts suggested is using ICT to create direct person-to-person financial links (linking poor people to a sponsor in a rich country). I feel that in this way, ICT can benefit society greatly. In terms of the MDG goals, ICT can help us succeed in eliminating world poverty and hunger, and also help us develop global partnerships for development.

We also discussed how ICT could be better used in certain industries, such as education, healthcare and agriculture. I feel that, to a large extent, ICT can continue to improve education in a country.  In SMU, most of our traditional textbooks and readings have already been digitized. Are we moving towards a future where all lessons will be carried out online through Skype or online courses? While it is definitely possible, I fear that such a system may be detrimental to students. A personal touch (a teacher that really understands his student’s needs) is required in this industry for optimal learning. A computer system cannot replace this. If a student wants to know more about a certain topic or has doubts to clarify, he cannot ask the computer. On the other hand, a human teacher should be well equipped to answer these questions. For agriculture and healthcare, we can use ICT to complement development. For example, we can use GPS to detect epidemic outbreaks or monitor climate conditions that are optimal for growing certain crops. However, I feel that, for the full potential of ICT to be harnessed, people need to keep abreast of the latest ICT developments and brought up to speed on new technology. In this way, especially for the IT illiterate or elderly folks, the implementation of workshops may aid their integration into the ICT era.

For the Individual Oral Presentation’s segment, I especially enjoyed the presentation on Interpersonal Communication and Intelligent User Interfaces.

Interpersonal Communication

 So, 1 in 8 couples last year met each other over the Internet. 70% of our interaction with friends is through the usage of ICT. Has ICT, after becoming the major platform for areas such as education and healthcare, also become the platform of our social interaction with friends and loved ones? From the above statements, we can gather that this is already partially true. We definitely SMS, MMS, MSN our friends more than we talk face-to-face. However I feel that using ICT in such a personal area has its disadvantages. Most importantly, as we interact with a person through an ICT, we are not exposed to the true spontaneous character of that person. That person can also hide behind the ICT and pretend to be someone he’s not.  I feel that this has the same concept behind why most schools and jobs require a ‘face-to-face’ interview for potential employees. To really get to know a person, we must interact with ‘face-to-face’ and not through the aid of an ICT. However, the use of ICT in this area is not completely redundant. ICT can help long distance friends or loved ones keep in touch. You also have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and expand your network. In conclusion, we should not depend completely on ICT’s for social interaction, but rather use it as a tool to complement and facilitate genuine, face-to-face interaction.

IUIs

As for IUI’s, I feel that this technology could spell a bright future for our society.  Having such an efficient ‘secretary’ like the one in the movie ‘Iron Man’ would definitely make our work more convenient and productive. But I feel that we need to be concerned about the trust and controllability issue here. Normal computers and programs function according to a code designed by their programmers. This makes their actions predictable and controllable by humans. Giving computers the ability to adapt and learn makes it more difficult to predict their actions. Will people trust IUI’s with their personal information given that there is a level of unpredictability in the actions of IUI’s? I am sure that everyone who has watched the intepretation of Judgement Day in ‘Terminator’ will be concerned about this issue.

Key takeaways

Harnessing the full potential of ICT still boils down to the level of human contribution.

a)    The knower – is the knower willing to share his knowledge on ICT. Wikipedia without information posted by people will not be very useful.

b)   People need to keep abreast of the latest ICT developments and possess the IT knowhow and skills to utilize ICT’s.

We also need to reach out to rural markets who have had no contact with ICT’s.

Although the development of ICT’s has spelled a bright future for us, we need to beware of over-reliance on it and furthermore, of the dangers that it brings. (Security, espionage, invasion of privacy, exposure to corrupting influences and identity theft)

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” – Albert Einstein

We should always be aware of the impact that technology has on society and always use our moral and ethical judgment as to deciding whether a certain technology should be implemented. Certain technologies, like the Atomic Bomb that Einstein is talking about here, has brought more harm than good.

Issues for further discussion

ICT’s impact on the medical field – How can ICT further impact this field? I recently read an article in The Economist titled An Online Medic. It talks about a device known as the Tempus tele-medicine monitor used in planes, ships and at remote locations like oil wells. Basically, the device can transmit data for vital signs including ECG, blood-sugar and blood-oxygen levels, along with voice and video feed. Crews of aircraft or ships can connect to remote medical centres to help make a diagnosis or obtain treatment advice. Now, the company RDT has come up with an even tougher version which is waterproof and soundproof, and has new functions like a video laryngoscope that can be used to view and open a patient’s airway by inserting a tube. This new technology is to be implemented in the military. What new technologies could ICT offer medicine in the near future?

Humans and technology: too close for comfort? What is the limit for technology?

Especially when by technology we mean the RFID chip implants in humans. Would we be willing to implant a chip in our arm to experience the convenience of technology? Would we be willing to sacrifice our privacy for convenience?

Personal Rating

8/10. The videos that Prof showed us about ICT, particularly the one about Milo, the virtual boy, were really intriguing and thought provoking.