Technology has changed rapidly over the last two decades but never at the speed we are experiencing today. With the advancement in communication technology like IoT, 5G, and the Cloud we have changed not only how we communicate but when, where, and even why we communicate. Every aspect of traditional communication has been changed by technology and continues to be reshaped by AI integration. We are in a period of rapid advancement and groundbreaking change. This transformative period has contemporary communicators expanding their knowledge and pioneering new practices. Contemporary communicators must be immersed in new practices of communication and understands the evolution of communication and technology.

It is strange to thing that not too long ago an athlete would just put on their shoes and go for a morning run with nothing but a key in their pocket. Today, that same athlete carries a smartphone that tracks their long run mileage and pace. A health app will monitor their heart rate and calculate calories burned that is sent from their smartwatch via Bluetooth to their smartphone. Their music will play a customized playlist that was created with an algorithm and transmitted via Bluetooth from their smartphone to their earbuds. A push alert will be sent at one mile telling the runner words of encouragement and accomplishment. That same athlete will lock their home with a smartphone app and stop by the nearest coffee shop. There, they will pay for their coffee with their digital wallet with only a wrist flick from their smartwatch. Technology is everywhere! We continue to integrate it into every aspect of our communication.

The advancement of IoT has impacted the family environment, relationships, and in-person communication. On the positive side, with smartphones, virtual assistants like Apple’s Suri or Google’s Alexa, and wearables like smartwatches, families have never been more connected and accessible. Relationships that may have once been lost to distance are now only a quick text away. In addition, social media platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook create digital forums that keep people connected by sharing messages, pictures, and videos regardless of distance. In a recent study, IoT strengthen interpersonal connections by bonding through shared experiences, simplify remote communication for work and home, and help with efficiency by increasing free time to spend with family and friends (Apthorpe, 2022).  On the negative side, with the advancement of IoT, in-person communication has weakened social skills. These social skills like non-verbal communication, active listening, articulation, and clarity all provide relational skills that give an emotional intelligence needed to succeed in a modern society. “The reliance on virtual platforms for socializing has affected our ability to read non-verbal cues, interpret tone of voice, and engage in spontaneous conversations” (Brunell, 2024). It is vital for contemporary communicators to have a thorough understanding of shifting social skills in order to communicate strategically and effectively position messaging.

Current communication and technology advancements in the educational sector like IoT, 5G, the cloud, and AI have made education flexible and accessible. These technologies grant students the opportunity to seek the platform and pedagogical approach that assists them best. In a sense, technology has made education personalized by providing options for learners that range from traditional face-to-face, hybrid, online self-paced or weekly modules, to virtual classrooms. Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Brightspace, Canvas, and Google Classroom are the new virtual classrooms. These modern educational platforms encourage students to seek knowledge through creative methods and interests therefore using the teacher as guide to develop their own independent thinking and problem-solving skills (Matjanov, 2025). Technology in the classroom helps virtual student succeed. Students use IoT, 5G, and the cloud to learn from anywhere. At any time, students can access assignments, watch lessons, communicate in forums or directly with their instructor. There are also tools like access to digital libraries and software that make learning more efficient. With virtual learning, assistance is immediate and always available. Students not only learn to communicate at a rapid pace but also expect receivers to communicate in the same fashion. A contemporary communicator is proficient in modern technology and will understand the expectations of tech savvy communicators.

The modern workplace looks extremely different than previous decades. In the last 20 years there has been a digital progression from face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and snail mail to video conferencing, email, and cloud-based shared communication. This advancement in technology has created a contemporary workplace that has been accelerated by pandemic restrictions. Post 2020 workspaces are mobile and tech focused. Many are hybrid or remote with a focus on outcomes and impact rather than physical presence (Stiles, 2024). With Gen Z entering the workforce, they bring modern ideas into the workplace. This is because many of them experienced hybrid and online learning due to pandemic restrictions. They developed new learning styles and used technology to communicate in a way that had never been done before. In times of struggle, they created a virtual workplace and adapted. Gen Z brings with them different workplace expectations like work-life balance (Stiles, 2024). This is why remote work is still highly appealing to many. Communication technology has rapidly advanced the workplace beyond traditional walls. The workspace has been reshaped by contemporary communicators who are redefining how strategic messages are received and delivered.  The contemporary workplace is faster, calculated, and data-driven.

While technology has shifted the ability to work remote, many argue that it is not always the best choice. There are cons to remote work like work-life boundaries and how the lack of in-person communication can cause feelings of isolation. Also, networking is vital for career growth. In-person interpersonal communication creates lasting impressions and real connections. Remote workers can be overlooked for promotions because they are out of sight and out of mind. Remote work can also hurt communities by not supporting small businesses and crippling commercial real estate. However, the pros for remote work are highly desirable for workers and employers. For example, remote work reduces costs for both employee and employer because employees do not have the cost of commuting to work or meals while employers do not have the overhead cost of office space (Gunthner, 2023). Remote work is also desirable because it is flexible for workers with family obligations.

In conclusion, the evolution of communication and technology has experienced rapid development that has changed every aspect of our lives. The IoT has influenced the family environment, relationships, and in-person communication making everyone more connected. Communication and technology integration has changed education making learning flexible and accessible. Modern learning spaces are fluid providing virtual students the ability to seek knowledge and communicate from any location at any time. The physical walls of the workplace have shifted into the virtual office of remote and hybrid work. It is an exciting time to be in communications! Contemporary communicators are looking to the past for expertise but the future for innovation. Societal changes and norms are being reshaped. Contemporary communicators understand this evolution and the modern methods to communicate effectively.

References

Apthorpe, N., Emami-Naeini, P., Mathur, A., Chetty, M., & Feamster, N. (2022). You, me, and IoT: How internet-connected consumer devices affect interpersonal relationships. ACM Transactions on Internet of Things, 3(4), 1-29.

Brunell, B. (2024). Restoring social confidence: Overcoming lost social skills amidst the pandemic. Everyday Speech. https://everydayspeech.com/sel-implementation/restoring-social-confidence-overcoming-lost-social-skills-amidst-the-pandemic/

Gunthner, J. (2023). Remote work 2023-pros and cons in the modern workplace. Paltron. https://www.paltron.com/insights-en/remote-work-2023-pros-and-cons-in-the-modern-workplace#:~:text=Distractions.%20On%20the%20one%20hand%2C%20the%20home,internet%20is%20also%20just%20a%20click%20away.

Matjanov, A. (2025). Program technology for choosing an effective educational methodology based on modern pedagogical research in the educational system. Current Research Journal of Pedagogics, 6(02), 30–33. https://doi.org/10.37547/pedagogics-crjp-06-02-06

Stiles, M. (2024). The evolution of professionalism in the modern workplace. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/evolution-professionalism-modern-workplace-matthew-stiles-ts3ae/

Cloud-based communication, commonly referred to as the cloud, provide businesses a fast and reliable way to store and share data. Many of us use it every day in the workplace. From a conference call with Microsoft Teams or Zoom to shared files, the technology has been successfully integrated into many businesses saving them time and making them more cost efficient. The cloud saves time because files can quickly be edited by several parties and shared. For example, this is ideal for public relations because often a team of public relations professionals are working on a campaign. The cloud allows instant access to the data needed from anywhere allowing remote work and in a sense, a virtual office. The cloud also saves businesses money by lowering the IT infrastructure costs by sidestepping the purchase cost, installation process, and individuals needed to run the framework (Islam & Rana, 2022). The negative aspect of the cloud is security. Cloud service providers or CSPs, are legally responsible for the cloud security while the business is responsible for their content security. The is called shared responsibility. However, often the security liability falls on the business because of claims of misconfiguration of settings by human error.  Cybercriminals are now targeting CSPs using their company’s own encryption tools to steal customer’s data and hold it for ransom (Greig, 2025). For example, recently Amazon cloud storage was hacked for ransom. “The hackers steal a customer’s AWS account credentials, obtain encryption keys and then lock customers out, demanding a ransom payment in exchange for the keys” (Greig, 2025). A data breach can expose sensitive information and can have potential damaging effects to a business. We see this common scenario often in the news. A data breach can cause legal issues, financial losses, and impact reputation. Some may ask if the cloud technology is the right choice for their business? However, the cloud is a tool and like many communication tools they can be used for good and bad. The cloud, when secure, has amazing widespread communication capabilities that redefine the way business is executed. In my opinion, the cloud’s positives outweigh the negatives.

Cutting edge technologies continue to impact how people work. In public relations the Internet of Things (IoT) provides professionals not only faster communication but the ability to strategically communicate. For example, IoT can be used to build brand image through personalized messages and targeted demographics. The various devices like smartphones and tablets assist with reach and awareness in a campaign. There is also strong engagement through IoT. For example, how many of you get Target’s personalized push notifications on your smartphone when you are near a store? This is engagement marketing. It encourages a conversation with a call to action by using the data collected from their app to personalize messaging. This takes the communication beyond the action model of communication to the interaction model.  New technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already impacting the public relations industry. From AI generated press releases to drafting social media content, public relation professionals are embracing AI technology. AI can analyze qualitative data and summarize a report in a fraction of the time it would normally take a professional (LexisNexis, 2024). AI can also media monitor saving money and time. For example, many public relations professionals pay for these media monitoring services. AI is slowly cutting out the middleman providing professionals with more control to track their ROI. Businesses continue to adapt to new technologies. Whether we agree with new technology or not, history has shown us that business is dynamic.

References

Greig, J. (2025). ‘Codefinger’ hackers encrypting Amazon Cloud Storage Buckets. The Record. https://therecord.media/hackers-encrypting-amazon-cloud-buckets

Islam, M. A., & Rana, M. E. (2022). Utilization of big data with cloud computing in modern business environment: A review. 2022 16th International Conference on Ubiquitous Information Management and Communication (IMCOM), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1109/IMCOM53663.2022.9721778

LexisNexis. (2024). Top 5 ways communications teams are using generative AI. Professional Insights. https://www.lexisnexis.com/community/insights/professional/b/industry-insights/posts/uses-communications-generative-ai?srsltid=AfmBOopmSz-n7_NnpWEeMxSped53r4Tm4nnQncnVwGPaVi3g1Ha