Emerging Technologies Bring Promise and Danger | eWEEK Labs

Emerging Technologies Bring Promise and Danger

Written By
Jim Rapoza
Jim Rapoza
Mar 17, 2008
1 minute read
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Dangerous Technology

When you cover and analyze emerging technologies, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and the promise of these new technologies. And it’s even easier to look at these technologies only from a positive angle.

And what’s not to like? After all, most emerging technologies were designed from the ground up to bring about positive ends. Their creators want to improve people’s lives, boost productivity, cure disease, provide security and bring about new waves of technology where anything is possible.

But almost any new technology that has a positive side also has a negative and more dangerous side. Technologies that can cure disease can also cause disease. Products that provide convenience imperil safety and privacy. Tools that ensure security also help secure criminals from law enforcement.

Such is the nature of innovation. But some new technologies are more dangerous than others. With that in mind, here is my list of the 10 most dangerous new technologies either available today or being worked on for the near future. Please comment below and let me know what technologies would make your list.

And, oh yeah, I decided to limit this list specifically to computing technologies, so that’s why there aren’t any biotech or genetics entries.

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