Technology is the tools, machines and methods used to solve real-world problems. It is a broad term that can encompass anything from simple tools, such as a crowbar or wooden spoon, to complex machines, such as a space station or particle accelerator. It can also include virtual technology, such as computer software or business methods.
Almost every industry uses technology to move forward. Upgrading to new technology helps companies to compete with each other and make progress towards their goals. Some businesses even use technology as a unique selling point to set themselves apart from their competitors.
For instance, a business that provides services related to cleaning and maintenance can benefit from the use of drones to reduce the costs of operating a fleet of vehicles. The business can then pass on the savings to its clients. The use of drones can also help to increase the efficiency of a service, making it easier for the company to meet deadlines and other milestones.
Another way technology is used in business is to provide a more engaging and interactive learning experience for students. For example, using virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) in the classroom allows students to interact with information in an immersive way. This can help them to better understand complicated science concepts, baffling theories, or historical places that would be difficult to explain through textbook images alone.
Technology can also be used in the form of online gaming or social networking platforms. Facebook, for example, has become one of the most popular social networks in the world and brought in more than $32 billion in ad revenue last year. Other social networks like Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn have also gained in popularity, and many people now use them to stay connected with friends and family.
In addition, the internet has helped to break down barriers to communication, allowing people to interact with each other on a global scale. However, not all uses of technology are beneficial. Technological advances, including the development of weapons of ever-increasing destructive power, have also been a negative aspect of humanity’s evolution.
The word technology has a Greek origin, stemming from the verb techne, meaning “skill in working with wood.” Techne later developed into a broader concept of skill, or art, including techniques and knowledge that could be applied to create new objects.
The word technology is frequently used in conjunction with the word science, although not everyone views the two as synonymous. Scientists are responsible for the technological developments we see today, but technology is a broad concept that also includes tools, machines and systems that allow humans to achieve certain objectives.