Call the newest technology cutting-edge, a change that reshapes a whole industry disruptive, and a system that can grow with demand scalable.
The newest technology
Not "The company is developing sharp-edge technology." — say "The company is developing cutting-edge technology.". The word is always cutting: cutting-edge.
Try it: Hiroshi: Ride apps put a lot of taxi companies out of business. Mei: Yes, that was a truly ___ change. Choose the word for the blank. (disruptive / scalable / disrupted) Answer: disruptive — A change that reshapes a whole industry is disruptive, while "scalable" means able to grow.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
cutting-edge
/ˈkʌtɪŋ ɛdʒ/
Their lab is developing cutting-edge technology for early disease detection.
disruptive
/dɪsˈrʌptɪv/
Streaming was a disruptive innovation that reshaped the music industry.
scalable
/ˈskeɪləbəl/
We chose a scalable infrastructure so the platform can handle sudden growth.
IT and digital terms
Protecting information from attackers is data security, machines that learn to make decisions use artificial intelligence, and a smooth experience is seamless.
Not "The platform protects customers with strong data safety against hackers." — say "The platform protects customers with strong data security against hackers.". Protection from attackers is data security, not "data safety".
Try it: Yasmin: Someone tried to break into the clinic's patient records. Ethan: Then the clinic needs better data ___. Choose the word for the blank. (security / safety / intelligence) Answer: security — Protection from attackers is data security, not "data safety".
Word
Pronunciation
Example
data security
/ˈdeɪtə sɪˈkjʊrɪti/
Strong data security measures are essential when you store customer records.
artificial intelligence
/ˌɑrtɪˈfɪʃəl ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/
Artificial intelligence now writes the first draft of many weather reports.
seamless
/ˈsimləs/
The redesign gives users a seamless experience across phone and laptop.
How well it is built
Rigorous testing is strict and thorough, a robust system keeps working under pressure, and an intuitive design needs no instructions.
Not "We need an intuitive system that stays up during peak traffic." — say "We need a robust system that stays up during peak traffic.". Robust is about surviving heavy use; intuitive is about being easy to use.
Try it: Diego: My phone fell off the climbing wall, and it still works. Lars: That's a ___ phone. Choose the word for the blank. (robust / intuitive / rigorous) Answer: robust — Something that keeps working after rough treatment is robust, while "intuitive" means easy to use.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
rigorous
/ˈrɪɡərəs/
The device passed six months of rigorous testing before release.
robust
/roʊˈbʌst/
We need a robust system that stays up during peak traffic.
intuitive
/ɪnˈtuɪtɪv/
The camera menu is so intuitive that I never opened the manual.
Right and wrong in technology
Use ethical for questions of right and wrong: an ethical concern asks whether something should be done, not whether it can be.
Not "It's legal, so it can't be unethical." — say "It's legal, but it may still be unethical.". Legal and ethical are different questions.
Try it: Mei: Should an algorithm decide who gets a loan? Hiroshi: That raises serious ___ concerns. Choose the word for the blank. (ethical / scalable / seamless) Answer: ethical — Whether something should be done is an ethical question, while "scalable" is about growth.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
ethical
/ˈɛθɪkəl/
Using face recognition in schools is an ethical question, not just a technical one.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
The company is developing sharp-edge technology.
The company is developing cutting-edge technology.
The word is always cutting: cutting-edge.
The platform protects customers with strong data safety against hackers.
The platform protects customers with strong data security against hackers.
Protection from attackers is data security, not "data safety".
We need an intuitive system that stays up during peak traffic.
We need a robust system that stays up during peak traffic.
Robust is about surviving heavy use; intuitive is about being easy to use.