Over the past couple of years, technology has changed the way we live. Not only do we have information in the palm of our hands on our smartphone, but technology has also revolutionized the way we do things. Social media, for instance, has impacted the way we communicate, and the amount of information we share every day. We create over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data each and every day!
Major organizations like Amazon, Apple, and Google (News - Alert) have been making tremendous steps when it comes to using new forms of technology. Although these companies aid in much of the research, when it comes to developing new technology the government also has a say in it.
The Top Ways That New Technology (News - Alert) Is Changing How Governments Work
As technology has changed our lives so, has it changed the way the government conducts its operations. New technologies have revolutionized the way government offers its services to its citizens and has streamlined its administrative roles. However, some critics believe that most governments have lagged behind private companies, who are quickly adapting to advanced technology business applications.
#1. The Internet
The foundation of the internet was laid with the introduction of the first electronic computers in the 1950s. Since then the world has undergone a series of events and that is thanks to the world-wide-web. The internet has changed business operations in all companies. The civil litigation process, for instance, has become easier today because of the internet. Law firms depend heavily on the internet which helps individuals and government agencies with business law needs. As we move forward, it is clear that the internet will always be an integral part of our lives, and continue to play a significant role in our future.
The impact of the internet has changed the way various governments deliver their services to their citizens. It can mainly be attributed to the introduction of e-government. The latter can only be defined as the use of ICTS in the delivery of services by the government to its people. One role of a government is to ensure that it fully utilizes advanced technologies to deliver public services and to provide administrative efficiency.
E-government has paid off, and many people trust in the various governmental agencies who use it. For instance, many taxpayers prefer filing their taxes online, which has increased their faith in the government. Moreover, the administrative burden has been eased in various governmental departments by the use of e-government.
However, the most significant challenge the government is facing in terms of the internet is securing data. Cybersecurity issues continue to increase. A data breach can even make a government fall.
#2. The use of the global positioning system(GPS)
GPS has not only had a significant impact on our personal lives but also affected how the government operates. Did you know that GPS was first used by the US so that it could spy on its enemies? Later in the 1980s, the US decided to open the system to the public. GPS has affected our lives not only in terms of finding places but also tracking people.
Governments have put GPS satellites in space for the country’s security. Some governmental uses of GPS are to monitor its borders, and track disaster response areas. For instance, when hurricane Katrina and Rita occurred, GPS helped find missing people in the affected areas. Some governments are facing with their GPS system is that most of the satellites in place are old. Moreover, if they were to replace them with new and advanced satellites, it would be extremely expensive.
#3. Commodity computing
Commodity computing has benefited how government purchases and sells its products. This can be seen in terms of lower hardware cost, increased efficiency in terms of purchasing power, and innovative applications. The type of technology that governments use cannot be compared to those of private companies. However, since the government always has a say in the kind of commodities that are sold in a country, they do have the upper hand, even though the market is driven by the consumers and the various markets trends.
Let us know about the impact that technology has had in your country. Do you think that your government has fully utilized the various forms of advanced technologies?
