Information and Communication Technology (0417) | Emerging technologies

ICT 0417 Study Notes: Chapter 1.5 – Emerging Technologies

Hello future ICT expert! This chapter is really exciting because we are going to look at the technologies that are changing the world right now and how they impact your everyday life. Don't worry if these concepts sound futuristic—we'll break them down using simple examples!

What Are Emerging Technologies?

Emerging technologies are new technologies that are currently being developed or are just starting to become widely used. They often cause significant changes in how we live, work, and communicate.

In this section, the syllabus focuses on the impact of two major emerging technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR).

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Section 1: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. This includes learning, reasoning, solving problems, and recognizing patterns.

How Does AI Work? (The Simple Idea)

Think of AI as a very clever student. You give it millions of examples (data), and it learns the patterns. Instead of being explicitly programmed for every single possibility, it uses algorithms to learn and improve its own performance over time—this is called Machine Learning.

The Impact of AI on Everyday Life

AI is no longer just science fiction; it’s everywhere! Here is the impact AI has on how we live:

• Personal Assistants and Smart Devices: Devices like Amazon Alexa or Apple Siri use AI to understand your voice commands, search for information, and control smart home devices (like turning off the lights).
• Recommendations: Streaming services (like Netflix or Spotify) use AI to analyse your viewing or listening history. It then suggests other content you might like, keeping you engaged.
• Self-Driving Vehicles (Autonomous Vehicles): Cars use AI to 'see' the road, identify obstacles, make complex driving decisions, and navigate safely without human input.
• Security and Fraud Detection: Banks use AI to monitor your transactions. If they see a purchase that is far away or unusually large for you, the AI can flag it instantly as potential fraud.
• Healthcare: AI helps doctors analyse medical images (like X-rays) faster and sometimes more accurately than humans, assisting in diagnosis.

Did You Know? The search engine you use every day (like Google) uses AI to rank websites, ensuring the most relevant results appear first.

Key Takeaway for AI: AI systems learn from data to make decisions, and their primary impact is making services more personalised, efficient, and automated (e.g., self-driving cars, smart assistants).

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Section 2: Extended Reality (XR)

Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term that covers technologies that blend the real and virtual worlds. The syllabus requires you to know about two specific types: Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).

1. Virtual Reality (VR)

Definition: Virtual Reality (VR) immerses the user completely in a simulated, artificial environment. It replaces the real world entirely.

Characteristics of VR

• Usually requires a headset (like an Oculus Quest or PlayStation VR).
• The user is isolated from their physical surroundings.
• The environment is 100% digital.

The Impact of VR on Everyday Life

VR’s impact often revolves around high-risk training and immersive experiences:

• Training and Simulation: Pilots and surgeons can practice complex or dangerous procedures in a risk-free environment. Example: A surgeon practicing a delicate operation without needing a real patient.
• Education: Students can take virtual field trips to ancient historical sites or explore the human body internally.
• Entertainment: Highly immersive gaming experiences.
• Design: Architects can give clients virtual tours of buildings before they are built.

Memory Aid (VR): Think V for Virtual and Vacation. You wear the headset and go on a complete digital vacation—the real world disappears!

2. Augmented Reality (AR)

Definition: Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital content (like images or data) onto the real-world view, enhancing or "augmenting" it. You still see the real world, but with extra digital information added.

Characteristics of AR

• Often uses a phone, tablet camera, or special glasses.
• The digital elements interact with the real physical environment.
• It blends digital data with reality.

The Impact of AR on Everyday Life

AR systems are incredibly useful for providing real-time information:

• Navigation: Walking directions displayed over the live street view on your phone screen, showing arrows on the actual road ahead.
• Shopping: Customers can virtually try on clothing or place digital furniture models into their own living room using an app, confirming the size and fit before buying.
• Repair and Maintenance: Technicians can use AR glasses to see digital instructions overlaid directly onto the machinery they are fixing.
• Entertainment: Games like Pokémon Go, where digital characters appear to exist in your local park.

Analogy: VR is like watching a movie in a cinema (total immersion), while AR is like watching TV while also looking at your phone (blending digital content with the real room).

Key Takeaway for Emerging Technologies (1.5): AI and Extended Reality (VR and AR) are driving profound changes by offering new ways to interact with information, automate tasks, and create highly effective, risk-free training environments.