The Impact of Emerging Technologies

By CW4 Rickey A. Sturdivant, U.S. Army, Military Intelligence, (MI WOSSE follow-on)

Article published on: July 1, 2024 in the Strength in Knowledge July–September 2024 Edition

Read Time: < 7 mins

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We live in an era characterized by rapid technological advancement, and the impact of emerging technologies on society has become increasingly significant. These innovations, from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Blockchain and Biotechnology, are reshaping industries, altering employment landscapes, and transforming how we interact with the world around us. This paper explores the implications of these technologies. Understanding the impact of emerging technologies is crucial in navigating the complexities of the modern world. These technologies can potentially revolutionize sectors ranging from healthcare and finance to transportation and communication. They offer opportunities for economic growth, efficiency improvements, and societal advancement. However, their widespread adoption also raises ethical, social, and environmental concerns that must be addressed. Therefore, studying their impact is vital for policymakers, businesses, researchers, and individuals to make informed decisions and shape responsible technological development. This research topic is significant because it intersects with ethics, innovation, and societal progress. As someone deeply interested in technology and its potential to drive positive change, I am intrigued by the transformative power of emerging technologies. However, I am also aware of the ethical dilemmas and societal challenges they present. This paper focuses on three key emerging technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Biotechnology.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous fields, from healthcare to finance, by enabling machines to perform tasks that traditionally required human intelligence.

AI algorithms, fueled by large amounts of data and sophisticated computer programs, have the potential to optimize decision-making processes, leading to improved efficiency and innovation. However, with these advancements come ethical considerations that must be considered and addressed. One of the more pressing ethical concerns surrounding AI algorithms is the issue of bias. Bias can manifest in various forms, including racial, gender, and socioeconomic biases, reflecting historical inequalities in the data used to train AI systems. Biased algorithms can perpetuate discrimination and exacerbate existing societal inequalities, leading to unfair treatment and outcomes for specific individuals or groups. Transparency is an essential aspect of ethical AI decision-making. The public should understand how AI algorithms arrive at their conclusions to assess their validity and fairness. However, many AI systems operate as black boxes, making it challenging to comprehend their decision-making processes. Lack of transparency can undermine trust in AI systems and hinder accountability for their outcomes. Determining accountability for the decisions made by AI algorithms poses significant ethical challenges. Traditional accountability frameworks may not adequately address the complexities of AI systems, especially when multiple actors are involved in their development and deployment. Crawford & Calo (2016); Jobin, Ienca, & Vayena (2019).

AI algorithms often rely on large amounts of personal data to function effectively. The use of sensitive information raises concerns about privacy and data protection. Without proper safeguards, AI systems can infringe upon individuals’ privacy rights and expose them to potential harms, such as surveillance and unauthorized access to personal data. The widespread deployment of AI algorithms has profound societal implications, shaping employment opportunities, access to resources, and power dynamics. Ethical AI decision-making requires consideration of the broader societal impact, including the potential exacerbation of inequality and exclusion. Addressing these concerns ensures that AI technologies contribute to social good and equitable outcomes. Addressing their ethical implications becomes paramount as AI algorithms increasingly integrate into various aspects of society. Bias, transparency, accountability, privacy, and societal impact are among the key ethical considerations that must be carefully examined and addressed in developing and deploying AI systems. Prioritizing ethical principles helps to mitigate risks and ensure responsible and fair decision-making processes in an AI-driven world (Greenfield, 2018).

Blockchain technology, initially popularized by cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, has transcended its original application and is now recognized for its potential to revolutionize various industries and societal systems. This paper discusses the social and economic impacts of blockchain technology beyond cryptocurrency, focusing on its transformative potential in areas such as supply chain management, healthcare, voting systems, and decentralized finance. By examining relevant literature and case studies, this paper elucidates how blockchain technology fosters transparency, security, efficiency, and decentralization, ultimately reshaping social structures and economic systems. Blockchain technology, introduced through cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, has evolved and has far-reaching effects beyond the realm of digital currencies. Unlike traditional centralized databases, blockchain operates on a decentralized, transparent, and immutable ledger system, offering numerous advantages in various sectors beyond finance. This paper delves into the social and economic impacts of blockchain technology in diverse domains, highlighting its potential to reshape existing systems and foster innovation. Blockchain technology holds promise for revolutionizing supply chain management by enhancing transparency, traceability, and efficiency. Through the use of distributed ledgers, blockchain enables stakeholders to track the movement of goods from their origin to the end consumer, reducing the risk of fraud, counterfeiting, and inefficiencies in supply chains (Crawford & Calo, 2016; Kuo, 2018).

In the healthcare sector, blockchain technology offers solutions to challenges such as interoperability, patient data privacy, and counterfeit drugs. By securely storing and sharing medical records on a decentralized ledger, blockchain can facilitate seamless data exchange among healthcare providers while ensuring patient confidentiality and data integrity.

Blockchain-based voting systems can potentially enhance the integrity and accessibility of electoral processes. By recording votes on an immutable ledger, blockchain ensures transparency, tamper resistance, and auditability, mitigating electoral fraud and manipulation concerns. Decentralized finance, facilitated by blockchain technology, is revolutionizing traditional financial systems by enabling peer-to-peer lending, automated trading, and asset tokenization. DeFi platforms leverage smart contracts to execute financial transactions without intermediaries, offering individuals greater financial inclusion and autonomy worldwide Myagmar, Schmidt, (2018).
Beyond its economic implications, blockchain technology has the potential to empower marginalized communities, facilitate humanitarian aid, and promote social impact initiatives. By enabling transparent and accountable transactions, blockchain can enhance trust and efficiency in philanthropic endeavors, disaster relief efforts, and charitable donations.
Blockchain technology represents a paradigm shift in conceptualizing and interacting with data, transactions, and social structures. Its transformative potential extends far beyond cryptocurrency, impacting diverse sectors such as supply chain management, healthcare, voting systems, and decentralized finance. Blockchain technology is poised to reshape existing systems, empower individuals, and drive socioeconomic innovation in the digital age by fostering transparency, security, efficiency, and decentralization (Mougaya, 2016).

The rapid advancement of biotechnology, particularly gene editing technologies such as CRISPR (short for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”), has brought hope for scientific and medical breakthroughs. These advancements also raise ethical considerations and societal implications. Biotechnology and gene editing technologies hold tremendous potential for addressing pressing global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. However, as these technologies become more sophisticated, ethical considerations regarding their applications and implications become increasingly complex. This paper examines the ethical dilemmas and societal implications arising from biotechnology advancements, focusing on gene editing technologies like CRISPR (Lander, 2017; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017).

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is a gene-editing tool that has garnered recognition for its potential to edit DNA with unprecedented precision and efficiency. While CRISPR offers promising applications in areas such as disease treatment, agricultural improvement, and conservation, its use raises ethical concerns regarding safety, equity, and unintended consequences Doudna, Charpentier (2014).

The prospect of editing the human germline using CRISPR technology raises profound ethical questions about the potential for heritable genetic modifications. Concerns about safety, consent, equity, and the creation of designer babies underscore the need for careful ethical deliberation and regulatory oversight in the pursuit of germline editing (Doudna, 2020).
The equitable distribution of gene editing technologies, particularly in the context of healthcare, poses significant ethical challenges. Ensuring universal access to gene therapies and genetic enhancements while addressing issues of affordability, accessibility, and disparities in healthcare access is essential for promoting social justice and equity (Doudna, 2020).

Respecting individuals’ autonomy and ensuring informed consent are fundamental ethical principles in the application of gene editing technologies. However, the complexity of genetic information, potential risks, and uncertainties surrounding gene editing interventions present challenges to obtaining truly informed consent from patients and research participants.
The unpredictable nature of gene editing technologies raises concerns about unintended consequences, including off-target effects, genetic mutations, and unforeseen ecological impacts. Ethical uncertainty surrounding the long-term effects and broader societal implications of gene editing interventions underscores the need for precautionary approaches and ongoing ethical scrutiny (Lander, 2017; Jasanoff, 2018).

The societal implications of gene editing technologies extend beyond scientific and ethical considerations to encompass broader cultural, legal, and governance issues. Public engagement, inclusive deliberation, and interdisciplinary collaboration are crucial for navigating the complex societal implications of biotechnological innovations and ensuring responsible governance frameworks. Advancements in biotechnology, particularly gene editing technologies like CRISPR, hold tremendous promise for addressing global challenges and improving human well-being. However, these advancements also raise profound ethical considerations and societal implications that must be carefully navigated. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and ethical reflection, society can harness the transformative potential of biotechnological innovations while upholding ethical principles and promoting the common good Doudna (2020)

In conclusion, this paper outlines the importance of studying the impact of emerging technologies on society, with a specific focus on AI, Blockchain, and Biotechnology. By addressing critical questions, engaging with stakeholders, and employing diverse research methodologies, this study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges posed by these transformative innovations. Ultimately, the goal is to inform responsible technological development and promote societal well-being in the face of rapid technological change.