--- title: "Impact of technology on society" subject: "Engineering Professional Practice" chapter: 1 key: "semester_8/engineering_professional_practice:technology-impact-society" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/technology-impact-society site: BCT Engineering --- # Impact of technology on society Engineering Professional Practice · Chapter 1: History of Engineering Practices - Asked in: 2071 Bhadra, 4 marks; 2069 Bhadra, 5 marks; 2073 Magh, 2 marks (asked 3 times) - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/technology-impact-society - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/chapter-1 ## Question Discuss the impact of technology on the society, including its changes on society in this 21st century. ## Short answer Technology improves productivity, communication, health, education, and governance, but also causes unemployment, digital divide, pollution, and privacy loss. In the 21st century, internet, AI, IoT, and big data make society information-driven; remote work, online shopping, digital payments, and social networking are normal. Its effect depends on responsible use. ## Answer Technology is the application of scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to solve practical problems and make life easier. It changes how people live, work, communicate and think, with both benefits and harms. #### Positive impacts - **Economy and production:** machines, automation and ICT raise productivity and create new industries and jobs (software, telecom, hydropower). - **Communication:** mobile phones, the internet and social media connect people instantly; remittance, e-banking and online services reach remote areas. - **Health:** vaccines, diagnostic equipment and telemedicine increase life expectancy and reduce infant mortality. - **Education:** e-learning, online libraries and virtual classes widen access to knowledge. - **Transport and infrastructure:** roads, bridges, airports and vehicles cut travel time and boost trade. - **Comfort and living standard:** electricity, clean water supply and household appliances. - **Governance:** e-governance, online tax and citizen services bring transparency. #### Negative impacts - Unemployment due to automation; a widening gap between technology-rich and poor groups (digital divide). - Environmental damage: pollution, e-waste, climate change, deforestation. - Loss of privacy, cyber crime, fake news and screen addiction. - Weakening of traditional skills, culture and face-to-face relations. - Weapons of mass destruction and accidents from technical failure. #### Changes in the 21st century - The internet, smartphones, cloud computing, AI, IoT and big data have made society information-driven. - Work from home, online shopping, digital payment and social networking have become normal. - Globalisation: knowledge, goods and labour move across borders quickly. - New concerns: data security, ethical use of AI, sustainable development and green energy. Technology is a tool; its effect on society depends on how responsibly engineers and users apply it. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. How does the answer define technology? A. Study of machines only B. Application of scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to solve practical problems C. Any new product sold in the market D. Use of computers and the internet only Answer: B. Technology is the application of scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to solve practical problems and make life easier. (Key point: Technology defined) 2. Which is a positive impact of technology on health? A. Increased screen addiction B. Higher e-waste C. Vaccines and telemedicine raise life expectancy and reduce infant mortality D. Weakening of face-to-face relations Answer: C. Vaccines, diagnostic equipment and telemedicine increase life expectancy and reduce infant mortality. (Key point: Positive impact on health) 3. What is the 'digital divide' listed among negative impacts? A. Gap between technology-rich and poor groups B. Splitting of a computer network into two parts C. Difference between analog and digital signals D. Gap between old and new software versions Answer: A. The digital divide is the widening gap between technology-rich and poor groups. (Key point: Digital divide) 4. According to the conclusion, what decides whether technology's effect on society is good or bad? A. The cost of the technology B. The speed at which it is invented C. How responsibly engineers and users apply it D. Whether it is imported or local Answer: C. Technology is a tool; its effect depends on how responsibly engineers and users apply it. (Key point: Technology as a tool) ## Related in Engineering Professional Practice - [Impact of computers on society](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Acomputer-impact-society) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 1, asked 2× ## Related in other subjects - [Impact of technology on environment and society](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Atech-impact-environment-society) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 1, asked 2× - [Appropriate technology and impact on society](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Aappropriate-technology-society-impact) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 1 - [Technology transfer and impact on life](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Atechnology-transfer-life-impact) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 1 - [Technology impact and appropriate technology for LDC](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Atech-impact-appropriate-ldc) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 1