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
This is what artificial intelligence will look like in 2030, according to one of the world’s leading experts
Artificial intelligence and robotics are coming into our lives more than ever before and have the potential to transform healthcare, transport, manufacturing, even our domestic chores.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
These 3-wheeled nanocars are the size of just one molecule
Researchers are using light to propel single-molecule sized nanocars.
Economic Growth
These pictures show international borders that are visible from space
A collection of photographs taken by astronauts on the ISS and from satellites showing some of the international borders visible from space
Education and Skills
Forget the start-up garage myth. We need golden triangles and super clusters
Time and again it is access to the brains, equipment and collaborative environment of research universities that spurs on great innovations and high growth companies.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
10 trends for the future of warfare
History can only tell us only so much. There is a need for fresh thinking about the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for international security.
Emerging Technologies
Not just a superfood: how spinach can detect explosives
MIT have embedded spinach leaves with carbon nanotubes - allowing them to detect explosives.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Political pundits versus machine: who wins?
A computer programme designed by Quid has taken on a pair of political pundits.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
This vest allows deaf people to 'hear' through touch
New technology could help deaf people to 'hear' using tactile means.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Want to know how planets like Jupiter form? Use a supercomputer
Researchers have used a super computer to model the formation of gaseous giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn.
Emerging Technologies
2 hours to 30 minutes. This is what our technology could do to your commute
Elon Musk has joked that experts call the Hyperloop either obvious - or impossible. We believe it is possible, but we face some difficult challenges unlike those faced by most tech startups.
Jobs and the Future of Work
Study, work, retire. Time to scrap the old pattern of working life
Japan will never close its gender gap unless it overhauls its whole approach to work and life, explains Yoko Ishikura.
Nature and Biodiversity
China declared war on pollution. Is it winning?
Progress has been made, but there is still much to do if China is to win the war on pollution and deliver greener, smarter economic growth.