Which of the following best defines crowdsourcing in a technological context?

Crowdsourcing in a technological context refers to the practice of utilizing online platforms to collect input, ideas, or services from a large group of people, often the general public. This approach leverages the collective intelligence and diverse perspectives of many individuals to solve problems, generate content, or gather insights.

In contrast to hiring a professional for a specific task, such as designing a website, crowdsourcing is more about engaging a wider audience to contribute. While conducting market research through surveys can involve gathering public opinion, it typically does not encompass the broader, more open-ended nature of crowdsourcing where contributions can be made in various forms, including feedback, ideas, or amateur creative work. Furthermore, employing independent contractors refers to the practice of hiring individuals on a freelance basis, which is a specific arrangement rather than the open-call nature of crowdsourcing.

Thus, the emphasis on engaging the public to gather input through online platforms encapsulates the essence of crowdsourcing, making it the best definition in this context.