Today, no one can deny the deep integration of modern technology and its
applications into nearly every aspect of daily life. Technology has become a
powerful social force that significantly shapes human behaviour and interactions at
all levels.
Modern technologies and their countless applications have undoubtedly
influenced every area of life and human behaviour. They’ve introduced new habits
and dimensions to our lifestyles. While enjoying the benefits of technologies like
artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality—now widely accessible through mobile
apps—we must also strive for balance. One of the most noticeable shifts has been
in traditional family and spiritual practices, especially during Ramadan for example,
where even something as simple as grocery shopping has moved online.
Of course, like any innovation, modern technology comes with both advantages
and disadvantages. The value it brings depends greatly on how it’s used, and on the
user’s awareness and ability to harness it for improving quality of life and accessing
better services. However, one of the biggest risks today lies in the misuse of AI—by
individuals or organizations engaged in aggressive competition. If this continues
unchecked, people might lose the ability to think, create, or innovate
independently, becoming instead slaves to machines.
Technology plays a central role across all fields, for all age groups, and at every level
of society. That’s why it’s crucial—especially for those over 50 years old to combat
digital illiteracy. Individuals, institutions, and governments must take responsibility
for guiding everyday users, particularly older adults, in understanding how to use
essential tech tools, like mobile applications, that now dominate our lives.
The key is how individuals use technology to lead better, more informed lives. The
world is moving rapidly toward a tech-integrated future, especially with the rise of
AI. A clear example is the use of smart contracts on blockchain platforms, which
bring transparency, integrity, and secure ownership in processes like real estate
transactions. Many governments are beginning to adopt blockchain to record
property sales, ensuring ownership rights, accurate payment processes, and
reliable registration.
This rapid technological advancement is also reshaping the way corporate leaders
think. Executives in large companies now ask: What tasks can AI handle? What roles
still require humans? These questions are at the heart of a new wave of workplace
transformation and automation.
It’s critical to strike a balance—leveraging technologies like blockchain, AI, and
cryptocurrency—while protecting data privacy and making sound decisions.
Unfortunately, many organizations overlook these priorities. Several IT providers
have rushed into positioning themselves as AI or blockchain enablers without fully
understanding business requirements or ensuring data security. This has led to
disputes and even legal cases.
In many cases, decision-makers still fail to take a comprehensive, 360-degree view
of technology adoption. They must consult experts before making strategic
decisions. A key example is the poorly written technical project contracts that lack
legal and technical depth, often leading to disputes. This has given rise to the term
LegalTech, emphasizing the need for executives to seek legal and technical
guidance to avoid negative impacts on business performance.
At the individual level, responsible use of technology depends on awareness. Tech
should be used for learning, increasing income, and exploring beneficial new
opportunities. Investing in technology is now seen as a promising endeavour and
rightly so.
The Benefits of Tech Investment for Individuals:
- Income Growth: Acquiring new tech skills or investing in tech projects opens
doors to freelancing or entrepreneurship. - Career Advancement: Technical expertise increases access to better job
opportunities and higher salaries. - Flexibility and Innovation: Tech allows people to manage their work
efficiently—think e-commerce and digital marketing.
The Benefits of Tech Investment for Business organizations: - Efficiency Gains: AI and automation reduce costs and speed up processes.
- Global Market Access: Technology connects companies with new clients
worldwide via platforms like e-commerce. - Innovation and Competitive Edge: R&D investments lead to superior
products and market leadership. - Data Analytics: Modern technologies like AI and BI empower data-driven
decision-making.
In my point of view, tech investment isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity for thriving
in the digital economy. It offers long-term financial and societal returns.
Let us explore how the technology influence in Education, Hospitality, Retail, and
More
Education:
Despite the rise of educational technologies, schools and teachers remain essential.
Human interaction fosters life skills and emotional intelligence that screens cannot
replicate. However, tools like virtual reality have improved learning outcomes and
deepened student engagement. The challenge now is building a bridge between
tech-based learning and students’ psychological and social needs.
Hospitality:
Automation allows smaller hotels to compete with larger ones by simplifying
operations. Staff can focus on excellent customer service while AI handles check
ins, room assignments, and cleaning. AI can even predict guest preferences,
offering personalized experiences that increase customer satisfaction. Still, human
service will always play a vital role in hospitality—especially in guest situations that
require empathy and flexibility.
Retail:
Technology has reshaped retail, especially during and after the COVID-19
pandemic. E-commerce platforms surged in popularity, reducing traditional
supermarket sales. Innovations like dark stores, self-checkout, food tracing with
blockchain, and smart trolleys are redefining the shopping experience.
AI can now predict customer needs and send alerts before the customer even
realizes what they want—thanks to big data analysis. AI helps retailers with stock
management, out-of-stock predictions, and even enables augmented reality
shopping—like smart mirrors and virtual furniture fitting.
Still, physical stores won’t disappear anytime soon. Many customers, especially
homemakers, still enjoy the tactile experience of shopping in person. Technology
will enhance—not replace—the traditional retail experience.
Justice System:
Virtual hearings and smart courts have improved the efficiency of legal
proceedings. However, a fully automated court system without human judges
poses significant ethical and legal challenges.
Judges bring human judgment, empathy, and an understanding of legal nuances—
qualities that machines lack. Moreover, using AI in court decisions raises concerns
about algorithmic bias, data privacy, and religious or cultural diversity. In Islamic
countries, legal decisions often rely on spiritual values and religious interpretations
that are hard to encode into software.
Thus, while AI can support justice, it cannot fully replace the human role in court
systems without careful balancing between technology and legal/religious values.
Sports:
Technology now plays a role in sports medicine, performance evaluation, and
refereeing (e.g., VAR). However, a more controversial development is the use of AI
to analyse opponents, predict injuries, and guide training. This may create unfair
advantages for wealthier clubs that can afford such tools, leading to a
concentration of power in elite teams.
My Final Thoughts
There is no denying the importance and inevitability of technology in our daily lives.
Individuals must commit to continuous learning, proper tech usage, and time
management to improve their standard of living. This requires vision, clear goals,
and a supportive community of like-minded people.
Governments and corporations have to invest in digital education, support tech
entrepreneurs, and ensure sustainable digital infrastructure. High-speed internet
and reliable access to services must be prioritized to handle the ever-growing
volume of data in today’s digital world.
