It's not doubt that "internet of things" is the major theme that is a slowly emerging technology for the next 20 years. However, I do not think that remote monitoring of patients at home can replace the social interaction that senior community can provide. Yes, it does give the elderlys family members peace of mind by thinking that the parent/s are being watched healthwise. But it still does not prevent the fact that what actions to take when their health becomes jeopardizes. Is there really workforce to take into action immediately? With the rise of the healthcare cost, most likely not.
Thanks for the post. Nice to hear that semiconductor industry has so much to offer to Social future. By when do you think semiconductor industry will actually start contributing to the social sector?
No doubt , tomorrows technology is going to bring about a radical change to the way we live today. But the negative aspect of this technology is , while the world is getting crowded by the population explosion, the individual is getting more and more isolated . With on line banking, on line shopping, 3D entertainment at home, movies on demand on your Tv, high spped internet offering a range of live services sitting at home , very little has been left for human-to-human personal interaction, emotional outlets. Tomorrows world will be more or less controlled by those faceless machines , those IVR systems with sweet but emotion-less voices, those voice activated robots. Where it is going to take us all?
One of the social areas I'm curious about is healthcare. The percent of GDP being spent on healthcare continues to rise annually. This is not including the effects of the latest healthcare bill. I know that semiconductor technology can do wonders, the question being will the technology be implemented properly for everybody to see healthcare reductions.
I agree corporate social responsibility is something that should be there in all companies whether big or small. After all they make money from the society and its always good to develop the society in return. The children parts, infrastructure,schools, hospitals, old age care and so on. I feel if all these corporates do their bit honestly,espcially in Asian countries like India infrastructure would never be a problem.
prabhakar_deosthali : I absolutely agree with you. Technology is affecting our lives today in a dispersed way creating independent life style for everyone. Though it is good in one part but the side effect is breaking the cohessiveness or community life styles. As other moderators reflected on the cost of healthcare due to advance technology, robots are ruling healthcare industry causing relapse in utilization of human brain to think unlike the hold medical practice. Technologically, the society is doing great but I do not think that it will trigger any low cost of healthcare rather escalate the price because of the cost of maintenance of these faceless devices. It is quite unfortunate that faceless elements will be the ruler of the the day in the next generation.
The potential upside is huge for companies that can help create an effective smart grid. As ever the issues will be regulatory, technology standardization, interoperability and cost. It is hard to argue against the potential benefits to society of such technology but it will take bold leadership to deliver a smart grid that truly revolutionizes the way we live our lives.
Nemos, if i am in the same boat then i read sarcasm in your comment. I agree with you in this article. It seems STM is just trying to label their work as a social work rather than something out of competition.
Jay_Bond, i do not know what part of the heathcare cost is due to the "connectivity" and what part is due to the higher cost of medicines and hospital care. But if we can leveraging some money on buidling the infrastructure then we might in the 90's era of IT.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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