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The Role of Technology in Communication: Enhancing Connectivity and Efficiency
In today’s rapidly evolving world, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping how we communicate and interact with one another. By facilitating the exchange of information and ideas, technology has revolutionized communication, making it faster, more efficient, and more widespread than ever before. In this blog post, we will explore the definition of technology and communication, delve into the intersection of technology and communication, and highlight some of its key applications. From social media to artificial intelligence, and augmented reality to virtual reality, we will uncover how technology has transformed the way we connect and engage with the world around us.
I. TECHNOLOGY IN COMMUNICATION, WHAT IS IT?
- Technology:
Technology can be defined as the practical application of scientific knowledge to solve problems, create tools, or improve processes. It encompasses a wide range of fields, including engineering, computer science, telecommunications, biotechnology, and more. Technology can take many forms, from simple tools like a hammer or a pencil to complex systems like smartphones or artificial intelligence algorithms. Its purpose is to make human life easier, more efficient, and more productive by creating new solutions, products, and services that help us to better understand and interact with the world around us.
As we can see, technology is the practical use of scientific knowledge to create tools, solve problems, and improve processes to make human life easier and more efficient.
- Communication:
Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings between individuals or groups through various channels, such as verbal, nonverbal, written, or visual means. It involves a sender encoding a message and transmitting it through a medium to a receiver, who decodes the message and provides feedback. Effective communication requires both parties to understand each other’s intended meanings and actively participate in the exchange. Communication can occur in various contexts, including interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, and mass communication.
Therefore, communication is the exchange of information, ideas, and feelings between people through various channels, requiring understanding and active participation.
- Technology in communication
Technology in communication refers to the use of various tools, systems, and devices to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between individuals or groups. This includes both hardware and software solutions, such as smartphones, computers, email, instant messaging, social media, video conferencing, and other digital communication technologies. These tools allow people to communicate faster, more efficiently, and over greater distances than ever before. They have also enabled new forms of communication, such as online communities and virtual meetings, that were not possible in the past. Overall, technology has revolutionized communication and continues to shape how we interact with each other in both personal and professional contexts.
Technology in communication refers to using various devices and systems, such as smartphones, computers, and digital tools, to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between individuals or groups, making communication faster, more efficient, and more widespread.
II. APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY IN COMMUNICATION:
- Social Media: How technology affects communications with social media
1.1. Essential business strategy
The ease of access that social media provides has taken over the traditional methods of shopping, reading news and even studying. Education has incorporated forums and social media chat rooms to increase interactivity among students, conduct webinars and promote events and courses. Social media is a crucial section of digital marketing, helping businesses go beyond demographic and geographic boundaries.
1.2. Online payment
Many social networking platforms like Zalo are incorporating options (ex: ZaloPay) within the application that allows you to transfer money to other people with minimal effort.
1.3. Online healthcare
Rather than physically visiting a doctor for your ailments, you can now speak to a virtual doctor who will suggest medications based on your symptoms.
1.4. Increased civic awareness
Many leaders across the world have taken to social media to voice their opinions and priority issues, giving people a better understanding of the government they have elected. (ex: Donald Trump, Joe Biden use Twitter)
1.5. Disaster management
Social media has become a savior, enabling relief funds, information and support can be sent and accessed more easily. For example, the safety check feature on Facebook allows you to mark yourself safe in disaster zones, helping family know that you are safe, in case there is no other medium of communication available
1.6. Social justice
Many social work organizations such as animal welfare and fundraising organizations are also taking to social media to create awareness about the issues of society. Social media brings together activists, allows people to raise their voice against injustice and helps people come together for social causes.
- Artificial Intelligence:
2.1. What is it?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a smart technology that is designed to be capable of performing tasks conventionally done by human. It is fundamentally a simulation of human intelligence installed into computer systems so as to automate certain processes, boosting productivity and efficiency while reducing costs.
2.2. VirtuaI Models:
Virtual models are digitally made humans that are used in the same way as real models. They are highly applicable in many industries, from entertainment to communication and everything in between.
This might sound extremely futuristic but digital models have actually been around for quite a while. An example that all of you might have already known is Vocaloids. A Vocaloid is a type of voice synthesizing technology using AI. It is able to create voices that are so realistic that it sounds as if it belongs to a real human being
Video: 【Hatsune Miku】 World is Mine / ryo（supercell）【初音ミク】 (Hatsune Miku – a popular Vocaloid singer)
But virtual modeling does not stop at art and entertainment. In recent years, AI models have been increasingly used by brands in marketing campaigns. They are presented as key visuals on social media, websites, posters and even work as influencers.
Take Aiin as an example. She is an extremely realistic fashion model who has promoted many brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Rapido and Comme des Garcons.
Virtual model – AIIN
Virtual models are favorable in the sense that they don’t get involved in scandals, their popularity can’t outgrow the brand either, and they are customizable so as to represent the brand and reflect the target audience.
2.3. Chatbot:
Chatbots are a relatively new tool for brand promotion. If you had paid attention in yesterday’s class, you might remember that Mr. Yi mentioned a way in which Chat GPT can be used to attract potential customers. Basically, when the user types down requirements for a certain product they are looking for, the bot will respond with specific recommendations. By doing so, it is communicating with customers for the recommended brands and building customers’ trust.
This is similar to a virtual form of KOL or PR, which influences the public and their behaviors.
- AR & VR:
3.1. Definition
Augmented Reality (AR): is a technology that overlays computer-generated content on top of the real world, typically viewed through a smartphone or a headset. AR is being used to create interactive and informative experiences for users. For example, a company might use AR to provide additional information or context to physical objects.
Virtual reality (VR): is a simulated experience that employs pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. VR is being used by organizations to create immersive experiences for their audiences. For example, a tourism company can use VR to create a virtual tour of a destination, enabling potential customers to explore the location before booking a trip.
3.2 The examples of AR/VR in communications
3.2.1 AR examples:
Microsoft’s “holoportation” technology: allows brands to use the AR technology to create an “in-person experience” for strategic communications. A holograph of an executive delivering a crisis message, inspiring speech or annual meeting can be projected to multiple locations while eliminating travel expenses.
3.2.2 VR examples:
L’oréal uses VR for internal and external communication: L’oréal uses virtual reality for immersive meetings, the L’Oréal Beauty Lab in New York City uses an immersive visualization solution to bring the store to different parts of their retail team. They also use VR for everything from future store concepts to packaging tests.
- CONCLUSION:
The potential of technology in communication is vast, and we can expect to see many new developments in the future. Here are some potential advancements:
- Increased use of virtual and augmented reality for communication, creating more immersive and engaging experiences.
- Advancements in natural language processing and artificial intelligence will make it easier for computers to understand and respond to human language, leading to more efficient and personalized communication.
- Further development of 5G networks and the Internet of Things will enable faster and more reliable communication between devices, allowing for new forms of remote collaboration and automation.
- Advances in biometric technology and wearable devices will enable new forms of nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions and gestures.
- More advanced security and encryption technologies will help to protect personal information and secure communication channels.
Overall, the potential of technology in communication is vast, and we can expect to see many exciting developments that will transform how we communicate and interact with each other in the future.
