The Information Technology Revolution

In the past fifty years, Information Technology has changed everything, from small offices to large company; from factories to an industrial center, but soon these technologies will push everything into another “whirlwind of change” with artificial intelligence and automation for optimal efficiency and effectiveness. Without proper actions, many companies will not be able to compete in the technology-driven economy.

To understand the impact of information technology, we needed to go back over fifty years ago when Gordon Moore predicted that the capacity of the computer chip could double every 18 months. (Moore’s Law). Since then the computer is getting faster, better and cheaper, but computer hardware is only the beginning. In the early days of computer, only a few scientists could use the large mainframe computers that cost millions of dollars. In 1977, Steve Jobs created a smaller computer called “Apple” that can do some functions similar to larger computers for only a few thousand dollars. The Apple company started a new revolution with lower price computers that were available for everybody. However, the small computer was still difficult to use; only a few people could program it. In the early 1980′s, Bill Gates created software that helps people to use the personal computer with minimum training. Since then, personal computers were getting more popular, especially with college students. Bill Gates had the vision of making the computer available to every home in the U.S., so he encouraged people to write software applications to the personal computer. With more easy-to-use software available, the personal computers became more popular, and eventually replace the larger mainframe computers as the computer for everybody.

Personal computers were good for home use but not for businesses because they were an isolated device. The next innovation which pushed the application of information technology in business was the creation of the Internet. It made it possible for all computers to talk to each other via the internet networks. The Internet allowed people to access information from any places, anytime and for anyone who has a computer. In the early days, accessing information using a computer was difficult, only people who were familiar with a computer can do that. In 1998, two Stanford students created a simple, easy to use “search engine” called “Google” that allowed anyone to find any information that they want without any training.

By the year 2000, computer (hardware), applications (software), and the telecommunication (Internet & Mobile) were getting used all over the world and started the Information Technology revolution that changed everything. Many companies realized that these technologies not only speed up everything but also enables new ideas such as online business, email, social media, automation, and outsourcing, etc. For example, the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) keep banks operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The online business allows people to buy and sell things over the Internet, without have to leave their home. Within a few years, more technologies innovations were created, and more changes were happening, and completely changed every business, every country, and everybody.

Begin in 2010, factory automation and robots were taking over human’s jobs. Many business executives and economists considered automation as an economic trend, not just technology trend. Automation can improve efficiency and reduces costs. As a global economic trend, it pushed companies and countries to compete for higher profit. According to research by the University of Oxford, by 2020, 47% of US jobs will be replaced by robots and automation, but 82% of jobs, mostly in developing countries, will disappear because of automation. However, people who work in an office or in management positions still believe that robots only impact the labor workers but cannot take their jobs. They do not know how fast these technologies can change. Today artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in robots. These robots are getting smart enough to replace people in office faster than they can imagine. A technology specialist wrote: “If you think robots cannot take your job, you should look closer because they ARE taking your job NOW.”

A few years ago, if someone told you that the next generation of the computer will not have a keyboard, you probably thought it was impossible. Today with voice recognition technology, people do not need to type but dictate to a computer, and it will do whatever you want. For example, you can buy an Amazon’s Echo or Google Home for less than two hundred dollars and tell them what you want. These devices understand your command and do whatever you ask. A few years ago, if someone told you that a car can drive itself, you may think it is just a science fiction. Self-driving cars are here, and they are being tested in many cities for next year sales. Last month, I saw robots serving foods at a restaurant in San Francisco. I also saw robots work as receptionists in several hotels and offices. Last week, to my surprise I encountered robots being tested to work as a Pharmacist. The manager told me that these robots received prescriptions from doctors, issued medication to patients, and tracked their payment with zero mistakes. He said: “In a few more years, we will use them instead of real people. They can work 24hours non-stop and never a complaint.” Even today, many people do not know that over half of the newspapers in the U.S. are using smart robots to write sports, weather and traffic news. Soon robots with artificial intelligence will replace people in jobs that no one would think they could be automated. Even Bill Gates was surprised about this change and warned that artificial intelligence could soon be a “threat” to human.

Although new types of jobs will be created to replace those that were lost, most will require a different education and training. That means every education systems must change quickly by focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). However, the emphasis should be on technology because it is the foundation of all future jobs. Today there are more jobs with higher pay available for graduates with technologically advanced skills. Soon, economic changes will happen in every country, some will thrive, and others will be left behind. The future prosperity will favor countries that can adapt these changes by having the best education system and the best workforce.

Sources

  • Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University