Tech's Impact on Society

• Module explores technology's role in shaping society, politics, economy, and environment.
• Focuses on how technological advancements shape social structures, influence political landscapes, drive economic change, and affect the environment.

Social Impact

• Technology transformed communication, social interactions, and information accessibility.
• Digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X facilitate communication with friends and family, sharing updates, and engaging on topics.
• Virtual communities enable individuals with shared interests to connect and support each other.
• Online relationships offer an alternative way to connect, but excessive social media use can lead to digital addiction and mental health issues.
• The internet gives quick access to information, helping people stay informed via search engines, news, and social media.
• Misinformation is unintentionally sharing incorrect news, while disinformation is deliberately faking positive reviews.

Political Impact

• Technology plays a crucial role in modern governance, policymaking, and political participation.
• Governments adopted online platforms to enhance efficiency and accessibility via tax filing, voter registration, and public service applications.
• E-voting to improve election security raises cybersecurity and accessibility concerns.
• Citizens express opinions, advocate for causes, and mobilize support through social media and online petitions.
• Platforms like Facebook and Change.org make activism immediate and widespread.
• Digital tools enable political manipulation through misinformation and AI-driven bots, challenging policymakers trying to regulate online spaces while protecting free speech.
• E-Government focuses on governmental efficiency and public service delivery, while digital politics focuses on political participation, influence, and discourse.

Economic Impact

• Technology drives economic growth, innovation, and employment.
• Industries transformed, new business models provided, and efficiency improved.
• AI-driven automation boosts productivity in manufacturing, logistics, and customer service, resulting in cost savings, faster production, and enhanced customer experiences.
• Online marketplaces like Lazada and Shopee improved shopping convenience via digital payments, personalized ads and fast delivery.
• These platforms help SMEs compete without physical stores.
• FinTech services offer alternatives to traditional banking and personalized financial services, while raising concerns about cybersecurity, regulation, and financial inclusion.

Environmental Implications - Pollution

• Industrialization causes environmental challenges, affecting ecosystems, human health, and biodiversity.
• Air pollution degrades air quality and public health by releasing harmful substances into the atmosphere.
• Respiratory diseases are one effect of air pollution. Stricter emission regulations can help to reduce impact.
• Rising global temperatures has been linked to fossil fuels. Shifting to renewable energy sources may help.
• Ecosystems and human health are harmed when contaminants enter water bodies.
• Heavy metals and toxic materials in industrial waste lead to waterborne diseases and strict waste water regs can help
• Plastic Microplastics debris can cause contaminated drinking water, so single use plastic should be reduced in favour packaging alternatives
• Plant health and food security are affected by soil pollution.
• E-waste and hazardous waste byproducts reduce productivity, so there is a need for management strategies
• Heavy usage of chemical fertilizers leads to soil erosion, so organic farming is suggested.

Climate Change

• Weather patterns, ecosystems, and human livelihood are all impacted by climate change from greenhouse gas emissions.
• The earth's atmosphere heats up causing global warming and instability.
• Rising temperatures has been linked to fossil fuels. Shifting to renewable energy sources may help.
• Industrial pollution melts glaciers and can raise sea level. Stricter regulations can help.
• Reducing carbon sinks accelerates climate change
• Overgrazing and illegal mining leads to soil erosion, consider sustainable farming techniques
• Deforestation decreases land and habitat rehab
• Sustainable technologies aim to reduce environmental impact and promote economic/social well-being.
• Fossil fuels should be replaced with renewable energy because it is both clean and sustainable
• Solar panels are a form of this that require higher efficiency and low running cost
• Wind turbines use less land for the environment to not be as impacted and have great efficiency in deeper waters.

Sustainable Technologies

• Farming practices need to enhance productivity and preserve natural resources / ecosystems.
• Precision agriculture reduces waste and uses less resources
• Al integrates along with trees and forests to help prevent erosion and boosts soil
• Usage of tech to check the temperature and conditions to determine proper water usage helps reduce waste
• Decrease pollution by Waste Management and Recycling
• Generating electricity through trash, reduces waste - however it causes emissions
• Using AI and IOT helps sorting and disposal efficiency
• Efficiency can be optimized and automated for recycling programs