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
Are ride-sharing apps promoting or restricting competition?
We have price comparison sites for almost everything – but not for ride-sharing apps. Are these companies putting up barriers to competition?
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Virtual reality can 'transport' audiences to poor countries. But can it persuade them to give more aid?
Development organizations, including the World Bank, are producing films in virtual reality because they believe the format triggers empathy in viewers.
Manufacturing and Value Chains
This little-known pioneering educator put coding in the classroom
Though he didn’t get much popular recognition, Seymour Papert’s legacy remains in each and every classroom where students are actively engaged in learning.
Emerging Technologies
From pizza to life-saving medicines – delivered by drone
Pizza company Domino’s has beaten Amazon and Google in the race to become the first to deliver goods by air.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
These are the most innovative companies in the world
Nine of the 10 most innovative companies in the world are based in the US, according to Forbes.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
The AI revolution is coming fast. But without a revolution in trust, it will fail
Before we can benefit from any of the latest innovations and technologies, we need a revolution in trust.
Emerging Technologies
How virtual reality can manipulate our minds
The full capabilities of immersive technologies have yet to be explored, but already we can get a sense of how they can be used to manipulate us.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Meet 'Octobot', the world's first entirely soft and autonomous robot
A team of Harvard University researchers has demonstrated the first autonomous, untethered, entirely soft robot.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Researchers used 3D printing to reconstruct the face of an Egyptian mummy
Researchers have produced a reconstruction of the head of an 18- to 25-year-old woman who lived at least 2,000 years ago in ancient Egypt.
Global Risks
The science of earthquake prediction – explained
Following an earthquake in central Italy, a look at some of the techniques that geologists use to predict when and how earthquakes will strike.
Emerging Technologies
This team of amateurs wants to send a human into space
Copenhagen Suborbitals wants to send a manned mission into space.
Education and Skills
10 skills you need to thrive tomorrow – and the universities that will help you get them
As the world of work changes, so too must universities. This is what they might look like very soon.