Technology is a broad term that encompasses all tools and machines used by humans to solve real-world problems. It can include anything from simple tools like a crowbar to complex devices such as a computer or particle accelerator. It also includes non-physical tools such as business processes and ideas. In the case of business, technology is what allows an organization to be more productive and efficient. This is achieved through automation of repetitive tasks and analysis of data.
In the simplest terms, technology is what allows people to be more effective in whatever problem domain it’s designed for. This means that the application of technology is not just a matter of choosing the right solution for a particular situation, but rather deciding what the problem actually is in the first place. In this sense, it differs from science as technology prioritizes contingencies and specificities whereas scientific research focuses on necessity and generality.
Throughout history, technology has been heavily dependent upon and influenced by societal issues/factors such as economics, values, ethics, institutions, groups, the environment and government among others. The discipline studying this synergistic relationship between technology and society is called Science and Technology in Society. Some of the most widely-debated and challenging technological questions are around sustainability, such as overconsumption, global warming and the nebulous issue of how to design a better economic model.