Cambridge A Level Information Technology (ICT): New and emerging technologies (9626) – Revision Notes

These revision notes cover topic 13, New and emerging technologies (section 13.1) of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Information Technology 9626 syllabus for examination in 2025, 2026 and 2027 (version 3). This is A Level only content, examined on Paper 3 (Advanced Theory), which is based on sections 12–21; Paper 4 candidates apply knowledge and understanding of all subject content.

For full explanations and worked examples, read the study guide. Then test yourself with the practice questions. Course hub: Cambridge A Level IT. Checklist: 9626 checklist. Quick gap check: free diagnostics.

13.1 The listed technologies

The syllabus says everything listed after “including” must be studied, so learn every row.

Technology	One-line definition	Typical use	Plus	Minus
Artificial intelligence	Computer performing tasks needing human intelligence, including learning from data	Chatbots, fraud detection, scan analysis	Fast, consistent analysis of big data	Bias; decisions hard to explain
Augmented reality	Computer images overlaid on a live view of the real world	Maintenance guides, furniture previews	Information where it is needed	Needs suitable device; distraction
Virtual reality	Fully computer-generated, immersive 3D world, usually via headset	Flight or surgical training, tours	Safe practice of risky tasks	Cost; motion sickness; isolation
Robotics	Programmable machines using sensors, processor and actuators	Assembly lines, warehouses, surgery	Precise, tireless, works in danger	High cost; job losses
Computer-assisted translation	Software aids a human translator (translation memory, terminology database)	Manuals, legal documents	Faster, consistent terms	Translator must still check
Holographic imaging	3D images viewable from different angles, from laser interference patterns	Card and banknote security, anatomy teaching	Shows depth; hard to forge	Specialist equipment
Holographic / 4th generation optical storage	Data stored through the depth of the medium or in many layers, beyond Blu-ray	Long-term archives	Huge capacity; whole pages read at once	Mostly in development; costly
3D printing	Additive manufacturing, layer by layer, from a CAD model	Prototypes, prosthetics, spare parts	Cheap one-offs; less waste	Slow for mass production
Vision enhancement	Improves or restores sight: night vision, electronic magnifiers, smart glasses, implants	Low-vision users, security staff	Independence; safety at night	Cost; some need surgery
Wearable computing	Computing devices worn on the body with sensors	Smartwatches, fitness trackers	Continuous hands-free monitoring	Privacy; battery life
Blockchain	Distributed ledger of blocks, each holding the previous block’s hash	Cryptocurrency, supply chains	Tamper-evident; no central control	Energy use; errors hard to reverse
Internet of Things	Everyday objects with sensors and network connections	Smart meters, thermostats, farm sensors	Automation; remote control	Weak security; privacy
Molecular data storage	Data encoded in molecules, e.g. DNA base sequences	Archives	Extreme density; long life	Slow, expensive read/write
Autonomous transport	Vehicles that sense surroundings and drive themselves using AI	Driverless trains, cars, drones	No tiredness; runs 24/7	Liability; hacking; driver jobs

Blockchain in steps

1. Transactions are grouped into a block.
2. The block stores the hash of the previous block.
3. Nodes in the network agree the block is valid.
4. The block is added and copies are updated on every node.
5. Altering an old block changes its hash, so the next block no longer matches: tampering shows.

3D printing in steps

1. Create or scan a CAD model.
2. Software slices it into thin horizontal layers.
3. The printer deposits or hardens material one layer at a time.
4. The object may need finishing (supports removed, smoothing).

Autonomous transport in steps

1. Sensors (cameras, radar, lidar, GPS) collect data about the surroundings.
2. AI software identifies objects such as other vehicles, people and signs.
3. The system decides on speed and direction.
4. Actuators steer, brake and accelerate.
5. The loop repeats continuously, many times a second.

Must-know distinctions

Pair	The difference
AR vs VR	AR adds to the real world; VR replaces it
CAT vs machine translation	CAT: the human translates with software help. Machine translation: the software translates on its own
Holographic imaging vs holographic storage	Imaging makes 3D pictures; storage keeps data in holograms
AI vs robotics	AI is the intelligence (software); a robot is the machine. A robot may or may not use AI
IoT vs wearable computing	Wearables are worn on the body; IoT covers any connected everyday object. A connected smartwatch is both
Molecular vs optical storage	Molecular uses chemistry (molecules); optical uses light on a disc or crystal
Robot vs autonomous vehicle	An autonomous vehicle is a kind of robot that moves people or goods; many robots stay in one place, such as on an assembly line

Impact grid

Area	Positive	Negative
Individuals	Convenience, health tracking, new leisure and learning	Skills gap, job loss, data privacy, cost
Organisations	Lower running costs, speed, new products, better data	Set-up cost, retraining, security risk, restructuring
Scientific research	AI pattern-finding, robot labs, IoT field data, 3D visualisation	Cost of equipment; results depend on data quality

Medicine and healthcare: learn all five named areas

• Patient care and monitoring: wearables and IoT send vital signs remotely, with alerts.
• Prosthetics: 3D printing gives custom fit, low cost, fast replacement; robotics gives powered movement.
• Tissue engineering: growing or bioprinting living tissue to repair damage.
• Artificial blood vessels: bioprinted or engineered vessels being developed for grafts.
• Medical tools and equipment: CAD and 3D printing for prototypes and custom guides; VR and AR training.

The environment: learn all five named areas

• E-waste: short-lived wearables and IoT devices add hazardous waste.
• Recycling: AI-vision robots sort waste; recycled plastic used in 3D printing.
• Power consumption: AI data centres and some blockchains use a lot; smart IoT controls can save energy.
• Manufacturing processes: additive printing wastes less; local production cuts transport.
• Energy from wireless signals: low-power sensors harvest energy from radio signals such as Wi-Fi, reducing battery use.

Method: answering Discuss and Evaluate questions

1. Name the technology and the user from the scenario.
2. Make a point (feature or benefit).
3. Develop it: say so what for that user.
4. Give a drawback with its consequence.
5. End with a short judgement that weighs the two sides.

A reminder in one line: “The hospital’s IoT heart monitors send readings every minute [point], so nurses are alerted at once if a patient deteriorates [development], but if the ward Wi-Fi fails, alerts are missed [drawback].”

Quick self-test

1. State the difference between augmented reality and virtual reality.
2. Name the two main tools in computer-assisted translation software.
3. What does each block in a blockchain store that links it to the chain?
4. Give one use of holographic imaging.
5. Why is 3D printing called additive manufacturing?
6. An object 48 mm tall is printed in layers 0.2 mm thick. How many layers are printed?
7. State one advantage and one disadvantage of molecular data storage.
8. Give two sensors an autonomous car might use.
9. Explain one way new technologies add to e-waste.
10. What is meant by “energy from wireless signals”?
11. Name one technology used in patient monitoring.

Answers

1. AR overlays computer images on a live view of the real world; VR replaces the real world with a fully computer-generated environment.
2. Translation memory and a terminology database.
3. The hash of the previous block.
4. Security holograms on bank cards or banknotes (also accept 3D anatomy images for teaching).
5. It builds the object by adding material layer by layer, rather than cutting material away.
6. 48 ÷ 0.2 = 240 layers.
7. Advantage: very high density (or long life). Disadvantage: slow and expensive to write and read.
8. Any two: camera, radar, lidar, GPS.
9. Cheap devices such as fitness trackers are replaced often and contain hazardous materials, so more electronic waste is thrown away.
10. Harvesting small amounts of energy from radio signals, such as Wi-Fi, to power low-power devices like sensors.
11. Wearable devices or IoT sensors that send vital signs to staff remotely.

Where marks are usually lost

• Calling CAT “software that translates for you”; the human translator is central.
• Defining blockchain as “secure” without explaining hashes linking blocks and copies held on many nodes.
• Writing about holographic imaging when the question asks about holographic storage.
• Giving a generic medical point when the question names a specific area, such as tissue engineering.
• Ignoring the power used by the new devices themselves when claiming energy savings.
• Listing advantages only on Evaluate or Discuss questions, with no drawback or judgement.
• Answers that name the technology but not the user or task in the scenario.
• Treating AI and robotics as the same thing.
• Describing an IoT device without saying what data it collects, where it sends the data, or what action follows.
• Saying 3D printing is “cheap” without the condition: cheap for one-off, customised items, not for mass production.
• Forgetting that 4th generation optical storage is still largely in development, so cost and availability are real limits.

Official syllabus

Cambridge International AS & A Level Information Technology 9626 syllabus for examination in 2025, 2026 and 2027, version 3 (published July 2025), Cambridge International, part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Topic 13, New and emerging technologies, section 13.1.