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
Uber is rolling out its first self-driving cars (with humans behind the wheel)
Uber customers will be able to hail a self-driving car from their phones for the first time, marking an important milestone in autonomous vehicle technology.
Emerging Technologies
Could an algorithm save people’s eyesight? Google thinks so
Google’s artificial intelligence research lab is exploring whether its technology could be used to identify early signs of eye diseases.
Emerging Technologies
Factories in space: the future of extra-terrestrial industry
Emeritus Professor Mike Cruise examines the future of industry in space and its possible role in supporting deep space exploration.
Emerging Technologies
This smart tattoo can turn into a touchpad
Researchers from MIT and Microsoft have developed an interactive temporary tattoo.
Geographies in Depth
The return of the blimp
From first-world-war relic to symbol of a new era of travel in Africa, helium-powered airships are making a comeback.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Our obsession with data could start to hold us back
Data-driven decision-making could overwhelm innovation, argue Carlo Ratti and Dirk Helbing.
Emerging Technologies
Soon you might know your phone's favourite colour, name, or its thoughts while you're away
The way we interact with technology is evolving rapidly, and the possibilities are still increasing.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
How disruptive technology could improve real estate transparency
There’s a growing demand for transparency, and the real estate industry has been listening.
Emerging Technologies
The 5 hottest emerging technologies in 2016
What are some of the hottest emerging technologies to come out of 2016 so far?
Fourth Industrial Revolution
How will self-driving cars make life or death decisions?
An MIT project – the ‘Moral Machine’ – turns you into a self-driving car to explore the ethical decisions autonomous vehicles could face.
Financial and Monetary Systems
Why blockchain is central to the future of finance - and why that’s more exciting than it sounds
Blockchain has the potential to “live up to the hype”, but will require patience and collaboration to be successfully implemented.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
It's not a new drug, new technology or a lifestyle change, but it could have major health benefits
Better data has the potential to improve health around the world, argues Muhammad Hamid Zaman.