10 Real World Problems That Can Be Solved With Technology

Tackling 10 real world problems that can be solved with technology would surely be just the tip of the iceberg of what we can accomplish as a species. It is no secret that technology has eased our lives to a great extent. Things once perceived to be impossible are today common. Technology is nearly invincible now; many big problems can be solved through technology by anyone, anywhere.

Technology has become the fastest-growing and most influential sector, with more than 50% of the largest companies in the U.S by market value being from the space. Advancements have led technology companies to even disrupt traditional industries such as energy and media. The ability of technology to solve problems in different areas is the key reason why it has become so important in every human field. Further improvements in technology such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are expected to solve even high-level human problems which require cognitive reasoning. Today, robots can replace many of the manual tasks performed by humans, algorithms can automate many of routine processing tasks, and computers help solve many human problems. AI and robotics are undoubtedly the next technology waves which could automate most human tasks.

For further reading on the topic, check out our list of the 10 biggest problems in the world that can be solved with inventions.

Though technology may be considered evil by some for disrupting the employment sector, it is more of a boon to mankind overall than a dererrent. The 10 real world problems that can be solved with technology not only include addressing the basic needs of mankind like food, drinking water and education, but also the emerging problems of energy security, climate change, etc. There are numerous examples of how technology has made our lives convenient, from travelling from one corner of the world to the other, to communicating with anyone, anywhere through smartphones, to witnessing medical marvels, and much more. Though technology has touched us through various facets of our lives, medicine and healthcare are the biggest industries that have benefited from technological innovations.

Still, a lot needs to be done – there are billions of problems that could be solved through technological advancement. On the following pages, you can read about 10 real world problems that can be solved with technology. The article is inspired from various sources like Mashable.com, treehugger.com, Goodnet.org, Economictimes and Techrepublic. Check out the list starting on the next page.

10. City Planning

The foundation of smart cities is not far away, with Internet of Things (IoT) technology rapidly developing. A smart city is an advanced urban city that has well-connected infrastructure and communications through data centers and automated networks. Development of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure will be the stepping stone for these smart cities to come into existence. Smart cities will provide better civic and public services and facilities for citizens, including better waste management treatment, green buildings empowered by renewable sources of energy, secure homes and roads, reduced traffic and pollution problems, and more such amenities.

9. Communications – Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)

We are continuing our list of real world problems that can be solved with technology with the communication devices that are getting smaller and more efficient by the day. Today, a mobile phone can do much more than being used solely as a means to communicate. Not only can you talk with someone, you can even see him/her on the screen of your smartphone, show them pictures you just took with it, and even play online games together through your mobile devices. Both personal and business communication have greatly improved over the last decade, allowing employees to travel less and work from remote locations. All of this has been powered through ever-expanding mobile networks, which will be further strengthened through next generation technology (5G/6G) to allow for blindingly fast data transfer and internet speeds. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the early leaders in 5G technology, and was scheduled to begin testing a wireless 5G network in select cities this month, with speeds in excess of 1 GB per second.

8. Drinking Water

With an ever increasing population, the demand for safe drinking water is on the rise. Water is our most basic and vital necessity after all, being the one thing that none of us can live without. Yet according to thewaterproject.org, nearly one billion people in developing nations do not have access to clean drinking water. Usage of smart meters, efficient desalination and wastewater treatment, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable water filtration are some of the ways technology could help in the provision of safe and clean drinking water in the future.

7. Education – Alphabet Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Proper education ranks 7th in our list of real world problems that can be solved with technology. It is the birthright of every child. Formal education is very important to attain success in life. According to UNESCO, the global adult literacy rate was 85% in 2014. Still, there are many countries where the literacy rate is quite low. With the advent of virtual learning technology like smart classrooms, it will be possible to access better education even from remote locations. Kids will use tablets and e-books with all information in one place, rather than collecting loads of physical books. Alphabet Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Chromebook could largely be used for this purpose. Digital simulations, models and various multimedia technologies could be used for better understanding of concepts. Thus, technology could enable distant learning virtually, reaching out to the world’s young and old minds alike which would otherwise lack proper education facilities.

6. Energy – First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR)

Energy ranks sixth on our list of 10 real world problems that can be solved with technology. Technology made it possible for people to remove darkness from their lives. The invention of the electric bulb back in 1879 lit up many homes. Prior to that, life came to a standstill after the sun went down. Even today, a major portion of the rural population in many countries lives in darkness at night. The advent of solar energy and its rapidly falling costs could revolutionize the energy sector, especially in areas which are not connected to the power grid. Using renewable sources of energy, particularly solar and wind energy, will not only provide a green and clean way of generating power, but will also be cheap and sustainable. Big technological breakthroughs in solar and storage systems could solve the problem of non-availability of electricity forever. First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is at the forefront of solar technology and should benefit from new advancements.

5. Food – Hershey Co. (NYSE:HSY)

Technology in the food industry will not only help produce genetically modified food that promises better nutritional value and is pest-resistant, but could also make the overall food system more organized and safer. Drones could be used to monitor entire farms without the need for a farmer to do it manually. The Internet of Things could be used for crop yield monitoring or better irrigation facilities. 3D Printing will gain popularity in restaurants and candy shops, with the likes of Hershey Co. (NYSE:HSY) already using 3D printing for chocolate designs. Even NASA made a pizza using a 3D printer for astronauts. With technology advancements, it could even be possible to grow food using a nutrient-rich water solution without soil.

4. Health

Technological advancements have let man live longer. The importance of technology to the fields of medicine and healthcare can’t be stressed enough. Infertile parents can now have children of their own, a person with a bad organ can live through an organ transplant, clones and humanoids are becoming reality, and stem cells can be stored for future treatments, among many other advancements. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence, it will be possible to mimic functions of the human brain. 3D Printing could also address the problem of the dearth of legal kidneys for kidney transplantation. Numerous other medical advancements should be expected in the future that will let us live longer, healthier lives and maybe even achieve immortality.

3. Multi-planetary Life

We are continuing our list of real world problems that can be solved with technology with the problem number three – with risks to humanity’s very existence present on Earth in the form of climate change and the paucity of natural resources like water, scientists have been exploring the possibility of exporting human life to Mars and other regions of the universe, with the goal being to ensure that a disaster doesn’t wipe out all human life in one fell swoop. The chance to replicate Earth on Mars, could be the possible outcome of various technological advancements in the field. Elon Musk’s company SpaceX is working towards achieving the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. The company is devising an interplanetary transport system to enable commuting between planets. Mars is the preferred choice because of its similarity and proximity to Earth. The Mars One Project was also launched in 2012 to consider similar possibilities. If such a thing happens it will be a huge achievement not only for the scientific community but also the entire world.

2. Pollution and Climate Change – Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Rising levels of carbon emissions are leading to global warming and climate change. Another alarming issue before the world today is the rising level of toxins in the air we breathe. A large number of vehicles and power plants emit harmful and vicious gases that cause air pollution. The problem is acute in cities and urban areas and is poised to increase with the rising number of cars on the roads, especially in growing economies like those in China and India. Nations are now aware of the ill effects and have pledged to be proactive against them, ratifying the Paris Agreement at COP21. Using electric vehicles could solve the problem to some extent, with Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) and several other automakers all pushing hard for cheaper electric vehicles with longer-lasting batteries that could entice the mass market to buy. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)’s Model 3 will be its first attempt at a true mass market EV. Technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration will help further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And now, let’s see the number one in our list of real world problems that can be solved with technology.

1. Transportation

Transportation ranks first on our list of 10 real world problems that can be solved with technology. The transportation industry is also pushing the boundaries of technology, with disruptive technologies upending traditional transportation companies. People spend a lot of time commuting, especially in urban areas. New forms of transportation such as bullet trains, self-driving cars, “pod taxis”, and “hyperloops” are expected to substantially reduce commuting times, as well as travel costs. Transportation efficiency is also being increased through shared riding platforms such as Uber, which look to improve the asset efficiency of cars. These efforts will not only go great lengths to solving transportation problems worldwide, but will also lead to energy security and improved safety (reduced death rates) for nations and its citizens.

Disclosure: None