Since World War II, computer technology has advanced rapidly: computers now underlie the accounting, financial, and personnel systems in large corporations. Information technology should continue to increase material prosperity because it allows more goods and services to be produced. An increase in productivity, however, may result in transitory unemployment problems. Another problem may be wide fluctuations in securities market prices; such fluctuations might make financial planning more difficult. Organizations that use the new information technologies will see improved performance, but job satisfaction problems will have to be considered. Computers will also affect society as a whole. Many jobs will be performed at home, for example. Information technology also offers both problems andopportunities in the areas of politics, international trade, and Third World issues.