Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page

Key Terms

augmented reality (AR)
technology that overlays digital information onto a user's environment in real time
blockchain
shared, immutable ledger that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets
business process outsourcing (BPO)
service industry that supports outsourcing business service operations to third-party vendors
convergence
joining of two or more different entities; in the context of computing and technology, into a single device or system
cryptography
process of hiding or coding information so that only the intended recipient can read it
emerging technology
software or hardware that enhances the user experience by obtaining or using information and data in new and exciting ways; can be used to describe new technologies or the continuing development of existing technologies
enterprise modeling and integration (EMI)
process that uses computer-based tools to model the business structure and facilitate the connection of its technology, work, and information flow across an organization
generative AI
type of artificial intelligence that creates new content or ideas in the form of text, images, videos, music, audio, and other forms of data
information economics
branch of microeconomics that analyzes how economic decisions and consumer behaviors are influenced by knowledge and power
information systems frontiers
latest developments in the field of information systems, exploring new research areas, innovative applications, and emerging technologies that have the potential to significantly impact the field
machine learning
use of algorithms and models that enable machines to learn from or make decisions about data without specific programming
mobile computing
strategies, technologies, products, and services that enable users to access information without restricting the user to a single geographic location
natural language processing
teaching machines to understand and generate human language; involves tasks such as speech recognition, text analysis, and language translation to build this understanding
quantum computing
use of quantum mechanics principles to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than traditional computers
robotics
branch of engineering and computer science that involves the conception, design, building, and operation of robots, creating intelligent machines that can assist humans with a variety of tasks
self checkout (SCO)
machines enabled with artificial intelligence technology, product images, barcodes, and other mechanisms for customers to complete purchases
virtual reality (VR)
computer-generated environments that simulate reality and allow users to interact with three-dimensional environments
Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/foundations-information-systems/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/foundations-information-systems/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Apr 23, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.