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.
Emerging Technologies
Smart toys: Your child’s best friend or a creepy surveillance tool?
Smart toys can help with learning but pose risks if they are not designed to protect children’s data and safety.
Emerging Technologies
How digital twins will troubleshoot – and even help design – the buildings of the future
Digital replicas of buildings can make construction safer, more innovative and more cost-efficient – and help save the planet as urban areas continue to grow
Health and Healthcare Systems
What is the biggest benefit technology will have on ageing and longevity?
The Global Future Council on Healthy Ageing and Longevity shares ideas on how technology will enable people to live healthier, more fulfilling lives at all ages.
Sustainable Development
Images from space could bolster the global economy – here’s how
Earth observation data is the key to unlocking transformational economic and social change in Africa, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum on Digital Earth Africa.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Rebuilding Trust and Governance: Towards Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT)
This White Paper provides a bird’s-eye view of the governance challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with trust as the central theme.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
How industries can collaborate to put stakeholder capitalism into practice
The World Economic Forum's Industry Strategy Meeting 2021 took place from 23-24 March 2021.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
From fake news to flash floods, simulations help cities cope with crises
Virtual simulations provide a safe space to experience and plan for a range of different events, from climate disasters to misinformation on social media.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Responsible machine learning can still protect intellectual property – here’s how
New documentation standards in machine learning enable responsible technology. Organizations must assess risks and protect their intellectual property.
Forum Institutional
Digital tokens could transform the economies of the Middle East and North Africa - if the governance keeps up
The integration of digital assets into economic structures could tackle the financing challenges faced by SMEs and provide a more standardized and accessible approach to funding.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Corporate investors hold the key to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship
Corporations hold the power to spur on women entrepreneurship and that of other underrepresented groups. They can foster inclusive entrepreneurship and create win-win situations.
Emerging Technologies
Everything you need to know about the Global Technology Governance Summit
The first Global Technology Governance Summit will take place from 6-7 April 2021, looking at themes from frontier tech to how it can be used responsibly.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
5 ways space tech can help protect the planet
Meteorological satellites have long been used to forecast extreme weather events and could now be used to improve agriculture as well as wildlife crime.