Does Technology Make us Smarter?

Citation:

Salomon, G., & Perkins, D. (n.d.). Do Technologies Make Us Smarter? Intellectual Amplification With, Of, and Through Technology. University of Haifa & Harvard University.

Annotation:

Salomon (n.d.) examines an interesting and relevant question regarding the effects of the use of technology on human intelligence. He analyzes the effects in three separate ways: using the technology to increase human performance (effects with), what technology does to human cognition (effects of), how technology can reshape human intelligence (effects through). What was found is that the use of technology does not increase human intelligence but it does aid in the performance of the intelligence that human’s have. Technology works more like an assistant to the human that extends the cognitive ability through partnership, practice, and systemic transformation.

The articles strengths are in the way it breaks down the effects of technology into the three separate yet simple categories. Similarly it doesn’t make the claims overly broad or simplistic and instead uses empirical experimentation to synthesize theory and research findings to present clear ideas. The analysis lends credibility through an interdisciplinary approach that is more data-driven than theoretical and simple explanations that lend themselves to greater understanding of the analysis.

Salomon’s (n.d) research lends itself well to the current workforce and the field of study on educational research considering the focus on technology’s affect on people at work and in school. The information helps to understand the different ways technology can aid human’s use of existing knowledge but it also gives insight into how technology can increase the raw knowledge that humans have by taking the three distinct categories and applying them towards the intent of increase in intelligence rather than the use of it. The framework of with, of, and through technologies provides a valuable lens for analyzing how organizational tools (such as forecasting systems, AI-driven analytics, or communication platforms) not only support performance but may also leave lasting impacts on skills and even reshape organizational cognition over time. This perspective will inform my evolving research into the intersection of technology, human capability, and organizational intelligence.