Advantages of Modern Technology Worth Noting for Society
In the rapidly evolving world we live in, technology has proven to be a game-changer, revolutionising various sectors and improving efficiency, access, and outcomes. Here's a glimpse into how technology has positively impacted healthcare, education, communication, and economic development.
Healthcare
Predictive analytics and AI have emerged as powerful tools in the healthcare industry, significantly improving patient outcomes and reducing costs. For instance, the US spends $52.4 billion annually on hospital readmissions; predictive analytics tools identify patients likely to be readmitted, allowing for targeted interventions that reduce readmissions and save costs. One such example is Corewell Health, which prevented 200 patient readmissions, resulting in savings of $5 million [1].
Digital health technologies, such as telemedicine and electronic health records, have enhanced healthcare access by reducing waiting times and travel costs. AI-assisted surgery has also improved efficiency and reduced risks [2][3]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital tools accelerated epidemiological surveillance and public health communication [2].
Education
Though not detailed in the provided search results, technology has transformed learning by enabling online platforms and digital resources, facilitating remote access and personalised learning paths worldwide.
Communication
Digital transformation has improved the dissemination of accurate health information during pandemics, ensuring timely public awareness. For example, platforms like WhatsApp have been instrumental in keeping people informed during health crises [2]. More broadly, technology enhances connectivity, enabling instant communication and collaboration across distances.
Economic Development
Improved healthcare, driven by technology, supports workforce productivity and reduces healthcare costs, indirectly stimulating economic growth. Innovations like cloud computing and AI centralise data and automate administrative tasks, increasing efficiency in healthcare, education, and communications sectors [3].
Statistics
- A reduction in hospital readmissions leading to savings of $5 million for a single health system [1].
- Increased life expectancy and sustained adult mortality decline correlated with greater information and communication technology penetration [2].
These examples illustrate how technology enhances efficiency, access, quality, and cost-effectiveness across these key domains. Furthermore, the global smart home market is predicted to reach $135 billion by 2030, and the Human Genome Project was completed ahead of schedule due to advanced data-sharing technologies. In addition, AI-driven drug design, high-throughput screening, and molecular modeling have reduced the time and cost of developing new medications. Lastly, weather satellites, predictive modeling, and communication networks have improved disaster preparedness and response. Technology indeed continues to reshape our world for the better.
[1] Corewell Health. (n.d.). Corewell Health saves $5 million by preventing 200 patient readmissions with predictive analytics. Retrieved from https://www.corewellhealth.org/news/2020/corewell-health-saves-5-million-by-preventing-200-patient-readmissions-with-predictive-analytics
[2] World Health Organization. (2020). Digital health in the COVID-19 response. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/digital-health-in-the-covid-19-response
[3] McKinsey & Company. (2020). How technology can help healthcare systems recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/how-technology-can-help-healthcare-systems-recover-from-the-covid-19-pandemic
- Management studies today often include courses in data-and-cloud-computing and artificial-intelligence, acknowledging the increasing importance of technology in various sectors, including healthcare and education.
- To effectively utilize technology in project management within healthcare, it's crucial to allocate sufficient time for research, development, and implementation of AI tools and digital health systems.
- Examining the role of technology in economic development, we can see that improvements in medical services through AI and predictive analytics lead to reduced health-related absenteeism, thereby increasing workforce productivity.
- It's interesting to note that just as AI and telemedicine are revolutionizing healthcare, they could also transform the way we teach and learn in an MBA program, offering personalized learning paths and data-driven teaching methods.
- The weather, once an unpredictable factor, is now analyzed through advanced technology, assisting in disaster preparedness and response through better predictive modeling and communication networks.
- In addition to its role in education and healthcare, technology has the potential to streamline business processes through AI and cloud computing, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings.