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
Data marketplaces can transform economies. Here’s how
Much of the technology necessary to enable consent and trust in data marketplaces currently exists and is scalable but opportunities remain to innovate.
Emerging Technologies
In a world first, South Africa grants patent to an artificial intelligence system
South Africa has granted a patent to an artificial intelligence for the invention of a food container - but the decision hasn't been without criticism.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Self-sovereign identity: the future of personal data ownership?
Despite the economic value of online identities, major concerns remain around privacy issues. Could the self-sovereign identity model be the solution?
Emerging Technologies
This is how many websites there are
Tim Berners-Lee published the world's first website in August 1991. Today there are more than 1.8 billion websites - and the number is increasing fast.
Nature and Biodiversity
Here's how AI can help fight climate change
Artificial intelligence has the potential to help in predicting and limiting the impacts of climate change, but there are concerns about its energy use.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
How technology can promote inclusion for the world’s largest minority group
Over one billion people have a disability and face economic exclusion, but technology and the digital transform could help boost global disability inclusion.
Emerging Technologies
How innovations in energy storage technology support climate goals
Blackouts due to climate change events are becoming commonplace. These tech innovations in energy storage can provide grid stability and eliminate CO2.
Trade and Investment
Obsolete tech is clogging up global trade. Here's how to unblock it
Shipping's physical infrastructure and fragmented IT systems have failed to keep pace with the growth in global trade – but digital technology can get it flowing again
Fourth Industrial Revolution
A Māori lens on AI: how indigenous cultures can help keep us grounded
A Māori lens on AI, prioritising diversity, inclusion and dignity, could add real value to organisations or entire nations.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
This is how digital climate services are tackling food insecurity across Africa
Digital Climate-informed Advisory Services (DCAS) — such as mobile apps and radio — could help to battle food insecurity in affected areas of the world.
Geographies in Depth
Towards a Data Economy: An Enabling Framework
Data has the power to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing society. With this background, NITI Aayog and the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India have developed ...
Emerging Technologies
Cassie the bipedal robot runs a 5k
The Dynamics Robotics Laboratory in OSU’s College of Engineering have experimented with the bipedal limits of Cassie, by making it run 5K on a single charge.