Computer science is important to the world for many reasons. Advances in technology can have many great benefits for society. When you think of an altruistic profession, the first ones that come to mind will very likely be: doctor, social worker, nurse, or something along those lines. Computer science professionals may not even come to mind. However if you want to make a difference on a global scale, there may be no better field to study than computer science.
How Does Computer Science Help The World?
1) Gives a Voice to the Voiceless
Due to advances in computer science and technology today’s world is more interconnected than ever. We have social media, internet, cell phones, streaming platforms, Youtube, and many other technologies that make communication on a global scale instantaneous.
This technology benefits society by giving a voice to those who would otherwise be unheard. Today more than ever, it’s easier to get your message out. You can speak out about something, and let people know about things going on in your corner of the world that would otherwise go unnoticed.
One great example of this is how cell phone videos have been used to monitor police misconduct. Due to dashcams, cellphone footage, and bodycams, many unjust cases have been overturned, where previously these cases were upheld based solely on a police officers word. The rise of video technology may fundamentally alter the way police officers handle themselves for the better. This is just one example of how video technology, and the internet benefits society through giving a voice to those who would previously go unheard.
2) Advances Healthcare Technology
Computer science has the power to advance technology in nearly every field. One prime example of this is healthcare. Utilizing the power of computers allows professionals to work with large data sets that would be nearly impossible without computer science. Great examples of this include projects using artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance healthcare in the areas of genome sequencing, genome editing, and pharmacogenomics.
Without computer science professionals working with these large data sets, progress could take decades. But leveraging the power of computers we can speed up the process and make advances in healthcare which greatly improve people’s lives.
3) Makes Education More Easily Attainable
Computer science has allowed education to be more easily attainable than ever before. There are online colleges, E-Learning platforms, Youtube videos, and a wide variety of other content across the web that allow individuals to learn at a rapid pace. In fact you can even learn many aspects of computer science through the internet.
Education is good for society because it can reduce poverty, increase income, boost economic growth, make people happier, and promote equality. Thanks to technology made possible through computer science, education is easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
4) Promotes Equality
Another way that computer science benefits society is through promoting equality. Good code is good code. It doesn’t matter your gender, race, socioeconomic background. If you genuinely have skills in the field you will go on to have a good career and your background won’t hold you back. You can also release your own apps and start your own company. Computer science really levels the playing field in that people of diverse backgrounds can go on to have great success in the field.
5) Creates Home Based Working Opportunities
The apps and tools created by computer science make it possible to work anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. It’s estimated that about 25% of American work from home occasionally. This wouldn’t be possible without the technology that allows us to stay connected. The ability to work from home opens up job opportunities for a wide variety of people who would otherwise have difficulty working. This can be good for the disabled and stay at home moms who have a very limited amount of time they can commit to a job.
6) Can Help Fight Hunger
Computer science can be used to solve problems in a variety of creative ways. One way people are leveraging the power of computers to benefit society is through algorithms designed to help the hungry. There are multiple apps being designed currently that allow individuals and restaurants to give away leftover food to the hungry. This is a great example of how people are leveraging the power of computers to reduce waste and help fight hunger.
7) Can Help Fight Climate Change
Programmers can help fight climate change by creating tools for handling the huge datasets used by scientists to model climate change. The climate change models and simulations developed by computer scientists can than be used to inform politicians, lawmakers, and activists, who can then develop ways to fight this climate change. This is just one of the powerful ways computer science can be used to help the environment.
8) Can Solve Real World Problems
Computer science can be used to solve real world problems in nearly every field. From creating tools for small businesses, creating apps to connect volunteers with volunteer programs, creating new and exciting mediums of entertainment, creating low cost solutions to manufacturing problems, and handling large data sets for creating renewable energy sources. The possibilities really are endless. Computer science can be used to solve everyday problems and improve every field. Almost every sector of society has utilized the power of computer science and benefits from it.
Summary
In conclusion the importance of computer science to the world can not be stated enough. Nearly every aspect of society benefits from the tools created by computer scientists. The tools created by computer science allows you to broadcast your message and communicate across the globe, it allows scientists to work with large data sets and models which can be used to advance healthcare and fight climate change, it makes learning easily accessible for everyone, it promotes equality by allowing people from diverse backgrounds to succeed, it can help fight hunger, and improve nearly every aspect of society. The power of computers to promote positive change in the world is truly amazing.
If you’re trying to decide on whether to major in computer science or not (and your not already convinced by this post), you can also read our list of reasons why computer science is the best major.