Top tips: Tired of the negativity around tech? Here's how it's actually making our lives better!

Top tips is a weekly column where we highlight what’s trending in the tech world today and list ways to explore these trends. This week, we’ll look at a few ways in which tech is making our lives better.

We’ve heard enough about technology being evil.

While many of its use cases have rightfully raised concerns, like everything else in this world, technology also has a good side. Thanks to its advancements, we as human beings have come a long way—and our lives, including our health, have become much easier to manage.

This week, let’s look at a few ways that technology has positively impacted our lives.

1. The fitness game

When it comes to fitness and overall health, having a tracker or a simple reminder can go a long way in helping you get moving—and, you can actually see the progress.

Visualizing your progress can even feel like instant gratification. And let’s be honest, we all need a little nudge to make that first move.

Apps help you set goals, track sleep patterns, and give insights that can genuinely improve your routines. The more you know, the better decisions you make—even with something as basic as sleep.

The integration of AI into the global fitness and wellness industries is rapidly accelerating. According to one report, the AI fitness market was valued at $7.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $35.6 billion by 2030.

AI-powered fitness apps are becoming increasingly common, with platforms like Aaptiv, FitnessAI, Fitbod, Freeletics, Vi Trainer, and WHOOP leading the charge. Meanwhile, some are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT to generate personalized workout routines.

Now, tech can act as an accountability coach, akin to a personal trainer or a nutritionist. How cool is that?

2. A source of emotional support

Yes, there are studies about how isolating social media can be. But what about the communities so many of us do find online?

Sometimes, just seeing a meme that reflects your current emotional state (or the world in general) can make you feel understood. The invisible thread tying us together through shared emotions, whether we’re creating or just engaging with content, can helps us feel a little less alone.

Today, AI chatbots can be a companion when we allow them to be. A 2024 survey found that 50% of users said the biggest benefit of using AI chatbots for mental health, wellness, and therapy is their ease of access and convenience. About 40% of respondents said the second most appealing feature is the privacy and confidentiality chatbots offer.

The phrase “the world is a small place” feels truer than ever thanks to the technology that connects us.

3. Fueling the reading habit

Technology has made reading more convenient. A sleek e-reader can carry hundreds —even thousands—of books, and you can take it anywhere, making reading on the go so much easier.

E-readers also come with a range of customization options: you can change the font, adjust brightness, increase size, all without the strain of a traditional screen.

While nothing beats the smell of fresh pages, no one can deny that e-readers have made it so much easier to read consistently. A digital content strategist at CNN read 45 books last year—33 on her Kindle, nine physical books, and three audiobooks. Since she works on social media, she ends up spending a lot more time on the internet than she'd like. To cut down, she started bringing her Kindle everywhere so she’d have something else to look at.

“On a flight? Read a book. Commuting somewhere on the bus or train? Read a book,” she says.

A final word

Whether you like it or not, technology is here to stay. So it’s up to you to integrate it into your life in a way that actually improves it. You can either doomscroll yourself into misery or use it mindfully to cope, heal, and thrive—free from the digital dopamine overload.

It's best not to get consumed by what technology offers. Instead, choose to use it mindfully and in a way that enhances your life—whether it's tracking steps, connecting to community, or just reading a good book.