Definitions and history of technology watch

Keeping watch is an ancient human practice for a variety of reasons, from monitoring enemies to gathering cultural and commercial information. For example, the ancient Egyptians monitored the movements of potential enemies and gathered information on the cultures and practices of neighboring peoples to better prepare and adapt. In Japan, as early as the Meiji era (1868), watchfulness was essential for monitoring international industrial and commercial practices.

Today, intelligence has expanded enormously, from traditional intelligence to electronic intelligence. Several definitions have been proposed for the concept of intelligence.