Is Tech Innovation or Is Innovation Tech?

By Emmanuel N. Shikuku

Ten years ago, whenever someone mentioned tech, it sounded no less than innovation. It was such a futuristic word that everyone was eager to experience. Over time, tech has evolved into more than just a buzzword—it has become a lifestyle. It’s something most people now struggle to live without. From basic items like TV remotes and high-speed internet, now accessible almost everywhere, to complex innovations like remote surgeries and robotics, technology is woven into our daily lives.

Today, tech isn’t just about what’s cool—it’s about what matters. Innovation should work for us, not just wow us.

Let’s be real—a report by the World Intellectual Property Organization shows that over 1,000 new patents are filed globally every single day. That means each day, somewhere in the world, a new idea or tool is introduced that has the potential to change the game. Whether it’s in farming, education, manufacturing, or development, technology is always present—sometimes visibly, sometimes behind the scenes.

From massive space telescopes giving us a glimpse of stars at the edge of galaxies, to micro-robotics performing delicate surgeries inside the human body, innovation is reshaping our understanding of what's possible.

So, the big question has been—and may always be:
Is technology innovation, or is innovation tech? Are they one and the same, or do they work hand in hand?