Empowerment refers to the process of giving yourself or others the capacity to achieve a specific end goal. For example, if you want to learn how to cook a dish, you can start by studying the steps detailed in cookbooks or by watching tutorial videos on YouTube. By doing so, you are empowering yourself with the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to achieve the end goal: learning how to cook a dish.

Likewise, empowerment technology refers to computer technology that we use almost every day, enabling us to complete tasks that, in the past, required professional help. Consider the following examples. How does technology empower each individual? What other results does the use of technology achieve beyond the target outcome?

• A fifteen-year-old owner of a bakeshop wanted to sell her cookies online. Knowing that web development is a complex subject, she searched online for a free website creation tool. She found Wix and was able to set up her own website in just an hour.
• The student council wanted to create a video for their upcoming fundraising project. When they asked videographers for help, the cost quoted surprised them. So, the council decided to find an online video creation tool. They tried Powtoon and were able to produce a multimedia video in a day.
• A businessman is running late for a meeting. To find the fastest route from his office to his destination, he uses Waze and is able to inform those waiting for him of his estimated time of arrival.

Nowadays, there are applications that can be accessed and used for free. In the examples given, each individual is able to solve his or her problem with less cost, less time, and less effort.