Emerging Trends, Issues And Impact
Overview
Every device manufactured, every server kept running, and every line of code written has effects that reach beyond the screen: materials mined, electricity consumed, data collected, ownership disputed. This topic steps back from how technology works to ask what it costs and who it affects, and it rewards precision over opinion: examiners want named, specific impacts, not general statements about technology being good or bad.
You will examine technology's environmental footprint, the ethical tensions it creates around privacy and inclusion, the legal frameworks that govern ownership and misuse, and a set of emerging technologies, quantum computing, DNA computing, artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, that are already reshaping what computers can do.
Objectives
- Understand the environmental impact of technology (health, energy use, resources) on society
- Understand the ethical impact of using technology (privacy, inclusion, professionalism) on society
- Understand the legal impact of using technology (intellectual property, patents, licensing and cyber-security)
- Be aware of current and emerging trends in computing technology (quantum computing, DNA computing, artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology)
Mind map
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Flashcards
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Emerging Trends, Issues And Impact. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which of the following is an example of the environmental impact of technology? A) A company's code being copied without permission B) Toxic materials leaching from e-waste in landfill C) A user's data being sold without informed consent D) An employee accessing a system without authorisation Answer: B
- In the UK, which law makes unauthorised access to a computer system a criminal offence? A) The Data Protection Act B) The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act C) The Computer Misuse Act D) The Patents Act Answer: C
- What does a patent protect? A) An original piece of writing or music B) A specific invention, for a limited period C) A person's personal data D) A company's trademark only Answer: B
- Which emerging technology uses qubits, which can represent combinations of states rather than only 0 or 1? A) DNA computing B) Nanotechnology C) Quantum computing D) Artificial intelligence Answer: C
- The gap between people with reliable access to technology and those without is known as: A) The digital divide B) E-waste C) Intellectual property D) A licence restriction Answer: A
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