Computers and technology have made the impossible possible and the dangerous tasks have become safer. Safety is what people at a workplace usually tell you is their main concern, computers have made it possible with systems like automations. Removing most of the danger from the tasks of workers, reducing the number of injuries, thus increasing productions and productivity. An example of this would be working with toxic chemicals. Handlining them would be toxic to workers, but if part of the system was automated and the risk could be reduced. This still comes with computers providing more benefit to provide training and education on how to work safely and to avoid accidents.

Another area that computers have made the world a safer place is transportation. Computer chips and other advanced computer systems used in newer vehicles, airplanes, and ships to improve safety and efficiency. They have taken some need for human judgment or action to better prevent human error, including, sensors, GPS, and other automations like self driving cars from Tesla. My car has an automatic braking system and will physically press the brake for me in situations where the computer thinks is necessary to prevent an accident, keeping me and my family safe. Even in an instance where I would get into an accident, cars and even phones now have the ability to sense when you’ve been in an accident and may call emergency services for you. This includes using computers to track the location of emergency responders, access critical information about the situation, and communicate with other responders in real-time. Even social media has a benefit in being able to spread information about emergencies or other information, which can help save lives.

However, computers have also made the world less safe in some ways. As technology has advanced, cybercriminals have become more sophisticated and are constantly finding new ways to steal sensitive information and launch cyber-attacks. I like to think that technology or computers in this instance have opened opportunities for two types of people. There are those that use the tech for the purposes of something positive and those who use computers to engage in illegal activities, such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and cyberstalking. With the potential for far worse.