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
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.
Emerging Technologies
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.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
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.
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.