The value of Technology and Innovation
In the digital age in which we live, technology and innovation have become powerful drivers of change and progress in all areas of our society. From the way we communicate to the way we work, technology has transformed our reality and opened up a world of unprecedented possibilities.
Next, we’ll explore how technology empowers us as individuals and how it improves business efficiency and productivity. Technology and innovation are catalysts that unleash a positive impact on multiple aspects of our lives.
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To have a better dimension about the weight of technology and innovation, let’s focus on a more recent example derived from the war in Europe:
When Russian forces advanced on Kyiv a couple of years ago, Ukraine was at a disadvantage, and many felt they had no chance of survival due to fewer weapons and fewer soldiers. However, they had an advantage over their enemy: technology.
Shortly after the invasion, the Ukrainian government uploaded all of its critical data to the cloud to protect its information and stay active. The country’s Ministry of Digital Transformation created just two years earlier, modified its eGovernment mobile app, Diia, to collect open-source data. This allowed citizens to upload photos and videos of enemy military units. Faced with the danger facing communications infrastructure, the Ukrainians turned to Starlink satellites and ground stations supplied by SpaceX to stay connected.
In short, this example shows that Ukraine’s success is not only based on its resilience but also on its determination to drive innovation.
Innovation begets more innovation
The main reason why innovation provides a significant advantage is its ability to generate more innovation. This is due, in part, to institutional rigidity resulting from some groups of scientists attracting, teaching, and training other great scientists at research universities and large technology companies.
But also because innovation develops on itself. Innovation needs a cycle of invention, adoption, and adaptation, a feedback process that encourages more innovation. If any link in the chain is broken, the efficient innovation capacity of the country in question is compromised.
An innovative invention is usually the result of years of research. One example is how the United States led the world into the 4G era of telecommunications networks. The rollout of 4G networks fueled the early development of mobile apps like Uber, which required faster mobile data transmissions.
Thus, Uber was able to perfect its product in the United States and later extend it to developing countries. This led to increased customer numbers, and much more feedback, as the company adapted its product to new markets and needs.
I have shared the case of the war in Europe and that of Uber to verify the value of technology and innovation. Solutions such as the cloud, connectivity, security, and application development complemented these successful initiatives.
David Monarque Sáenz
Director de Canales Comerciales LATAM
