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.
Industries in Depth
Stop apps making you sad, see the Earth change and other top stories of the week
Also in this week's round-up: Can blockchain can help your organization? And how Bangladesh became Asia’s new tiger.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
From trade unions to NGOs: we all need a say in how tech is governed
Advances in digital technology have the potential to do great good, but also great harm. The civil sector is vital in ensuring our freedoms are protected.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
The dangers of data: why the numbers never tell the full story
In a world awash with inconceivable amounts of data, we must learn how best to interpret it – both by thinking about the biases that created it and the human realities that give it meaning.
Emerging Technologies
These 11 questions will help you decide if blockchain is right for your business
Blockchain is an innovative solution, but it is not the solution to all problems.
Emerging Technologies
Robot inventors are on the rise. But are they welcomed by the patent system?
Artificial Intelligence is now capable of performing tasks that have historically required human ingenuity. But these advances also put AI on a collision course with numerous aspects of p...
Fourth Industrial Revolution
What is transhumanism and how does it affect you?
As technology evolves, genetic and artificial enhancements are moving closer to reality.
Geographies in Depth
India’s opportunity and role in shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution
With more than 50% of its population under the age of 27, India will play a pivotal role in shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution in a responsible, scalable and inclusive manner.
Emerging Technologies
This Chinese hospital is putting its patients in the hands of AI
The Guangzhou Second Provincial Central Hospital has worked artificial intelligence into almost every area of its operations.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Jobs in these countries are safest from a robot revolution
Automation could render millions of jobs obsolete—but some countries may be in a better position than others.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Will lawyers become extinct in the age of automation?
Is there still a place for human judgement when machines are doing the learning?
Geographies in Depth
Seven stories from China you might have missed in March
From the Spring Festival migrations to the country's first driverless car tests to an ambitious bid to change weather systems, here's what's been happening in China recently.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Powerful predictions for the future from a leading physicist
After 25 years as a professor of theoretical physics at the City College of New York, Michio Kaku has a unique perspective on the future.