Final answer:
In the technology adoption lifecycle, the first group to adopt new technology is known as 'innovators'. These individuals are key to starting the diffusion process that leads to widespread acceptance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the technology adoption lifecycle, the first group of customers to adopt a new technology is referred to as innovators. These individuals are willing to take risks, are the most eager to try out new technologies, and tend to be socially connected to other innovators. Everett Rogers' model of the diffusion of innovations exemplifies how technology adoption can be predicted to a certain extent, understanding that various groups adopt at different rates and times.
Technological globalization has accelerated diffusion patterns, thus innovations reach saturation in societies much faster than before. Innovators are often critical to kickstarting the diffusion process, which then leads to broader acceptance by other groups such as the early adopters, early majority, late majority, and eventually the laggards. Through this lens, we recognize the importance of innovators in the evolution and adoption of technologies, such as the progression from floppy disks to flash drives as storage solutions.