Technology refers to the creation of material instruments used in human interactions with nature and each other. It also involves the application of scientific knowledge to create new products and processes. It is a powerful tool for increasing productivity and efficiency. It allows businesses to reduce the amount of time spent on repetitive tasks and increases accuracy, resulting in significant cost savings.

The development of most technologies is a step-by-step process. The completion of each stage validates the underlying ideas, gains a greater understanding of the process involved and tests the technology against reality. This is why seemingly promising early technologies often stall midway through their evolution.

Technology is a broad concept with many different applications and implications. While science focuses on necessity and universality, technology takes into account contingencies, constraints and behavior in specific circumstances. This makes it inherently purposive and instrumental.

As the digital age has evolved, the need to integrate technology into education has grown. Having access to the right technological resources can enable students to learn at their own pace and collaborate with others from around the world. This technology also helps them stay up-to-date with the latest trends in their field and develop critical thinking skills.

Technology has also become a key driver in the global economy and global politics. In this regard, some are concerned that the pace of technological advancement is outpacing our ability to establish appropriate policies to ensure sustainability. There is a pressing need for greater global cooperation and consensus on not only the appropriate norms but even how to develop them.