The Fourth Industrial Revolution represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another. It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technology advances commensurate with those of the first, second and third industrial revolutions. These advances are merging the physical, digital and biological worlds in ways that create both huge promise and potential peril. The speed, breadth and depth of this revolution is forcing us to rethink how countries develop, how organisations create value and even what it means to be human. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is about more than just technology-driven change; it is an opportunity to help everyone, including leaders, policy-makers and people from all income groups and nations, to harness converging technologies in order to create an inclusive, human-centred future. The real opportunity is to look beyond technology, and find ways to give the greatest number of people the ability to positively impact their families, organisations and communities.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
How virtual worlds could soon become essential training tools
The World Health Organization has developed its Learning Academy, using 360 cameras to make 3D models of emergency departments and save virtual lives.
Emerging Technologies
Solar storms: Why we need to get better at forecasting the weather in space
Disturbances on the Sun can cause solar storms; solar flares and coronal mass ejections emit large quantities of radiation and charged particles into space.
Emerging Technologies
This soft, dragonfly-shaped robot could help resolve environmental issues
Scientists have created an entirely soft robot called DraBot which is shaped like a dragonfly, is electronics-free and reacts to environmental conditions.
Forum Institutional
Is this the future of value creation through ICT?
COVID-19 is a watershed moment in ICT. The private sector must harness optimized data to create value and sustainable smart solutions to benefit humankind.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
4 ethical tech lessons we've learned during COVID-19 crisis
Chaos caused by the pandemic has highlighted the need for resilient systems. Technology used responsibly can be an effective tool for societal change.
Forum Institutional
3 critical challenges for governing digitalization
We must challenge the irresponsible use of technology undermining our societies and democracies by prioritizing tech governance through these approaches.
Forum Institutional
What if we get tech right?
Experts, including members of the Global Future Council, share views on how governance can ensure emerging tech unlocks growth opportunities and serves society as a whole.
Forum Institutional
4 steps to using AI in an environmentally responsible way
If developers are not careful, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can add to the climate crisis. Here's how to deploy AI in a responsible and sustainable way.
Forum Institutional
6 ways social innovators are harnessing 4IR technologies for social change
From transforming healthcare to providing 1 billion people with a digital identity, here's how social entrepreneurs are solving our biggest challenges.
Forum Institutional
How platform know-how can drive social inclusion and empower billions
Societal platforms are shared public goods with open digital infrastructure, promoting access to education, health and economic participation at scale.
Emerging Technologies
What is the Internet of Things?
COVID-19 has accelerated the use of IoT technologies, from contact tracing and fitness trackers to ‘smart homes’. But questions around governance remain.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
3 ways to make technologies more inclusive for people with disabilities
From colour contrast, to screen reader facilities, inclusive user interfaces are key to mobile-enabled services.