History of Information Technology, Social Impact, and Emerging Technologies

Flashcards testing knowledge on the history of information technology, societal transformations due to IT, emerging technologies like autonomous driving and edge computing, and the principles and applications of quantum computing.

What major technologies and societal impacts characterized the IT timeline during the 1940s-1960s?

The period marked the birth of computers (ENIAC, vacuum tubes), which were used mainly for military and scientific calculations.

What social change occurred in the IT sector during the 1970s-1980s?

Personal computers (PCs) spread, making computers available for individual use.

What major IT development took place in the 1990s, and what was its impact?

The commercialization of the Internet and the World Wide Web occurred, making information globally accessible and email widespread.

What technology rose during the 2000s, and how did it affect society?

The rise of smartphones occurred, leading to the rapid expansion of mobile Internet.

Which major technologies define the IT landscape from the 2010s to the Present?

Cloud computing, alongside the growth of AI, big data, and online services.

What is Moore's Law?

The observation that the number of transistors on a computer chip doubles approximately every $2$ years.

Why is Moore's Law important?

It results in faster computers, smaller devices, better performance, lower cost, and more powerful applications.

What is a Social Networking Service (SNS), and what is an example of one?

Platforms that allow people to communicate and share information quickly, such as X.

What is E-commerce (EC), and what are examples of it?

Buying and selling products and services through the Internet, with examples including Amazon, eBay, and online stores.

What is Remote Work and what benefits does it provide?

A working style that allows people to work from home using the Internet. Benefits include flexible schedules, reduced travel time, and increased productivity.

What is Online Learning, and what examples are provided in the notes?

Learning through digital platforms instead of traditional classrooms, including online courses, virtual classrooms, and educational websites.

What is Cashless Payment, and what examples are given?

Electronic payment without using paper money, including credit cards, debit cards, mobile payment applications, and QR codes.

What is Autonomous Driving and what are the steps in how it works?

Technology allowing vehicles to drive without human intervention. It works in sequence: Cameras detect the environment -> Sensors collect information -> AI analyzes data -> The vehicle makes decisions automatically.

What is Edge Computing and what are its advantages?

Processing data directly on the device instead of sending it to the cloud. Its advantages are faster processing, reduced delay, and better performance.

How do Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) differ in definition and examples?

VR creates a completely virtual environment (e.g., virtual games, medical training, simulations). AR adds digital information to the real world (e.g., interactive educational applications, mobile filters, navigation systems).

What is the primary difference in data state and processing between a classical bit and a qubit?

A classical bit exists in one state ($0$ or $1$) and uses sequential processing. A qubit can be $0$ AND $1$ at the same time (multiple states) and uses parallel processing.

What underlying physics laws distinguish quantum computers from classical computers?

Quantum computers use quantum physics laws instead of classical physics.

What are the three core concepts that make quantum computing different?

1. Superposition (qubits can be $0$ AND $1$ at the same time, trying all possibilities at once). 2. Entanglement (whatever happens to one qubit affects the other instantly, even if galaxies apart). 3. Interference (wrong answers cancel each other out and right answers add up to reach the solution).

What specific specialized problems are quantum computers used for?

Discovering new drugs, breaking encryption in seconds, training AI $1000\times$ faster, weather and climate forecasting with extreme accuracy, and applications in finance and banks.

Will a quantum computer make standard everyday applications like Facebook or Word run faster?

No, a quantum computer will not make Facebook or Word run faster.

What are the main drawbacks and operational requirements of quantum computers?

They are very expensive, still in early stages, and very sensitive because they must run at $-273^\text{o}\text{C}$ (colder than outer space), where vibration or heat can ruin calculations.

Which major companies are currently working on quantum computing?

Google, IBM, and Microsoft.

How does the summary analogy compare a classical computer to a quantum computer?

A classical computer is like a smart student who solves one problem at a time, whereas a quantum computer is like $1000$ students solving all possibilities at the same moment and picking the correct one.