Technology management for reshaping the world

The world is changing rapidly, and technology is playing the central role in making the changes happen. The events since PICMET '01 have made it clear that every society everywhere in the world is affected not only by the changes, but also by the technology behind them. There are few events in the world today that are not dominated, or at least influenced, by technology. This observation can be explained by recognizing the current period in the history of the world as the "technology era." When technology is properly used and managed, it leads to the reshaping of the world for the benefit of humankind. If technology is not managed well, humankind becomes a slave to it. This paper discusses the role of technology in society and the importance of properly managing it in the technology era.