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
These are the countries where AI is aiding productivity the most
AI can increase labor productivity in developed countries by up to 40% over the next 15 years, according to analysis from Accenture and Frontier Economics.
Emerging Technologies
Here's how opinions on the impact of artificial intelligence differ around the world
This data on worldwide opinions of artificial intelligence and job automation highlight how education, gender, location, age and income all play a role.
Education and Skills
How teaching 'future resilient' skills can help workers adapt to automation
Why governments, education providers and employers should help workers earn quality non-degree credentials that lead to high quality, future-resilient jobs.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
Modelling the shape of the mental health crisis after COVID
Economic crises have a 'scarring' effect on the mental health of young people. Here's how COVID-19 is likely to leave a legacy of distress - unless we take action.
Geographies in Depth
Southern Africa shows how unlocking data can drive economic recovery
Southern Africa shows how 4IR technologies can enable access to trusted data and driving the economic rebound in the wake of COVID-19.
Cybersecurity
After reading, writing and arithmetic, the 4th 'r' of literacy is cyber-risk
With global internet use and cybercrime still using, education about the risks of online life and possible precautions should be obligatory – especially for the most vulnerable
Emerging Technologies
5 reasons dispute resolution is critical for blockchain’s growth
Why do we need to care about resolving disputes around transactions happening on a blockchain? Here are five reasons backed by findings from a recent paper.
Resilience, Peace and Security
How big data could anticipate violence and promote peace
The technology is only just beginning to have an impact on our ability to better forecast violence and conflict. Here are some examples showing promise.
Emerging Technologies
Why blockchain's final touches may well be human
Blockchain does not yet eliminate the need for trust. Human intervention can help bridge the gap via governance and dispute resolution.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Cloud and SaaS technology can drive inclusive banking. Here are 3 reasons how
Inclusive banking faces a range of challenges, but can be offset by the advantages a range of technologies can bring communities with poor financial services.
Emerging Technologies
Bridging the Governance Gap: Interoperability for blockchain and legacy systems
The World Economic Forum is publishing a governance framework that proposes strategic pathways that can enable interoperability between legacy IT systems and distributed ledger systems.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
How to ensure that connected homes are for everyone
The social housing sector could benefit from the opportunities of connected internet of things technologies. A new World Economic Forum report shows how.