High technology (high tech orhigh-tech), also known asadvanced technology (advanced tech) orexotechnology,^{[1][failed verification]} istechnology that is at thecutting edge: the highest form of technology available.^[2] It can be defined as either the most complex or the newest technology on the market.^[3] The opposite of high tech islow technology, referring to simple, oftentraditional or mechanical technology; for example, aslide rule is a low-tech calculating device.^[4][5][6] When high tech becomes old, it becomes low tech, for examplevacuum tube electronics. Further, high tech is related to the concept of mid-tech, that is a balance between the two opposite extreme qualities of low-tech and high tech. Mid-tech could be understood as an inclusive middle that combines the efficiency and versatility of digital/automated technology with low-tech's potential for autonomy and resilience.^[7]

Startups working on high technologies (or developing new high technologies) are sometimes referred to asdeep tech; the term may also refer todisruptive innovations or those based on scientific discoveries.^[8]

High tech, as opposed tohigh-touch, may refer to self-service experiences that do not require human interaction.^[9]

The phrase was used in a 1958The New York Times story advocating "atomic energy" for Europe: "... Western Europe, with its dense population and its high technology ...."^[10] Robert Metz used the term in a financial column in 1969, saying Arthur H. Collins ofCollins Radio "controls a score of high technology patents in a variety of fields"^[11] and in a 1971 article used the abbreviated form, "high tech".^[12]

A widely used classification of high-technological industries was provided by theOECD in 2006.^[13] It is based on the intensity of research and development activities used in these industries within OECD countries, resulting in four distinct categories.^[14]

In the 21st century, the high tech industry is a significant part of several advanced economies. TheIsraeli economy has the highest ratio in the world, with the high tech sector accounting for 20% of the economy. High tech makes up 9.3% of theAmerican economy according toStatista^[15] andCTech.^[16]

Multiple cities and hubs have been described as globalstartup ecosystems. GSER publishes a yearly ranking of global startup ecosystems.^[17][18] The study does yearly reports ranking the top 40 global startup hubs.^[19]

The following is a list of the 15 largest exporting countries of high tech products by value in millions ofUnited States dollars, according to theUnited Nations.^[20]

• Electronics
• Electronics industry
• Photonics industry
• Nuclear technology
• Quantum technology
• Intermediate technology – sometimes used to mean technology between low and high technology
• Industrial design
• List of emerging technologies
• Semiconductor industry
• Big Tech
• Innovation