Democratization of technology

A counter argument is that this is just a process of 'massification' - more people can use banks, technology, have access to information, but it does not mean there is any more democratic influence over its production, or that this massification promotes Democracy.

[3][4] After the development of the Internet in 1969, its use remained limited to communications between scientists and within government, although use of email and boards gained popularity among those with access.

[5] The Internet has played a critical role in modern life as a typical feature of most Western households, and has been key in the democratization of knowledge.

It not only constitutes arguably the most critical innovation in this trend thus far; it has also allowed users to gain knowledge of and access to other technologies.

Some have argued that cloud computing is having a major effect by allowing users greater access through mobility and pay-as-you-use capacity.

[7] Generative artificial intelligence tools have the potential to democratize the process of innovation by improving the ability of individuals to specify and visualize ideas.

[11] This trend is linked to the spread of knowledge of and ability to perform high-tech tasks, challenging previous conceptions of expertise.

[19] Astra Taylor, the author of the book The People's Platform: Taking Back Power and Culture in the Digital Age, argues, "The promotion of Internet-enabled amateurism is a lazy substitute for real equality of opportunity.

[7] Because of the decreased costs and expertise necessary to use products and software, professionals (e.g. in the audio industry) may experience loss of work.

[22] In some cases, technology is accessible but sufficiently complex that most users without specialized training are able to operate it without necessarily understanding how it works.

[21] While this can lead to lowered operating costs and increased innovation, it is also associated with security concerns that most businesses are unable to address at the pace of the spread of technology.