My love for technology started with video games. The first time I used tech beyond cartoons was playing pinball on our family PC when I was about five. I still remember the excitement of controlling something on a screen and seeing it respond.
By Grade 2, my brother returned from China with a gift: an iPad 2. At that time, Apple dominated the tablet scene. On that device, I did everything: played games like Minecraft and Roblox, watched YouTube, made videos, and even filmed holiday trips. I learned to jailbreak it, unlocking new possibilities. That period showed me that devices could be explored, changed, and understood.
In 2017, my parents bought me a gaming PC after I achieved a personal goal. That device changed technology from just entertainment into something that truly shaped my life.
Now you would probably think that I am going to speak about Artificial Intelligence here. Well, I am. But first, let me get to the “simple” parts that mattered more than AI to me.
This is how having my own PC made my life easier. I received this PC as I was going into high school. It happened during the shift where most schools were trying to digitise how school was taught and make better use of online resources for learning. And this is not something I take lightly or for granted.
Here are some of the factors that my pc gave me:
Having my own PC meant I could do and track all my work in one place. Assignments, notes, projects, downloads. It gave me independence and made me more organised and productive.
Games helped me connect with friends. We played, talked about life and school, and shared experiences that built our friendship beyond the screen.
Using my PC, I taught myself coding, design, and even hacking. I faced challenges like my first big virus, which taught me problem-solving, responsibility, and how to understand the tools I use.
I had the privilege of leveraging the internet to gather online resources to help me with my school work. If I did not understand something in class, I could search it up. If I wanted to go beyond the syllabus, I could. Tutorials, forums, videos, articles, all of it was accessible. It expanded my learning beyond what was physically in front of me.
One of the biggest caveats when we talk about technology is not the innovation, but the impact. Socially, economically, environmentally, even physically, tech shapes the way we live in ways we do not always stop to question.
One area where my mindset has slightly shifted from what society often simplifies is around ethical consumption, especially during global conflicts. A clear example of this is the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine. Because of it, many people have become more conscious about what products and companies to boycott. That conversation has extended into technology as well.
If you look at the BDS list, a large number of major tech corporations are mentioned. Companies like Oracle, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, Dell, Google, Intel, HP, and Apple. These are not small brands. These are companies that form the backbone of modern infrastructure.
That is where the dilemma becomes real.
How do you truly boycott companies that are deeply embedded into everyday life? I use an iPhone. I run a Microsoft PC with an Intel chip. We all use Google in some way. I have even worked with Oracle before, and they are involved in nearly every industry on the planet. These services are not optional add-ons to society anymore. They are foundational.
So, I had to come to a personal conclusion. I cannot realistically avoid every major tech corporation because of how deeply integrated they are into the mainstream infrastructure. However, I can make conscious decisions where I do have control. If there is a service I do not have to use or pay for, and it is complicit in something I ethically disagree with, then I will avoid it. I will look for an alternative.
For me, it is about reducing participation where possible, not pretending I can completely disconnect from a system that is structurally unavoidable.
This thinking naturally leads into my bigger goal and vision. I want to create, or at least be involved in the creation and development of software and services that are built on ethical practices from the ground up. Technology that respects users. Technology that prioritises data privacy. Technology that is transparent about how it operates and who it serves.
If tech has the power to shape the world socially, economically, and politically, then building it responsibly is not optional. It is necessary.
Reflecting on my first week of IFS 740, I realise I am still discovering my true passion. The module emphasises strategic IS thinking, digital and social innovation, and the importance of ethics, sustainability, and societal impact. Companies often prioritise profit, but society increasingly demands ethical technology.
Global conflicts, like Israel-Palestine, show how complex ethical decisions in tech can be. If every country boycotted the US and Israel, would Europe’s tech market shift? Would we rely more on Asian powers like China and Russia, or would it allow Africa to develop its own digital infrastructure? These questions highlight why strategic thinking in IS matters—understanding systems, anticipating societal consequences, and making decisions that create long-term value.
I hope to find a path where I can contribute to ethical, responsible technology that benefits society, not just profit. IFS 740 is helping me frame these questions and see how my work in technology can have real impact.
