Fourth Industrial Revolution

17 must-read stories for the weekend

Adrian Monck

Are you ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Professor Klaus Schwab on what it means and how leaders can respond.

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What the climate deal really means. It was a historic tipping point. But not just in the fight against climate change.

US rate hike: what’s important? It’s a signal heralding greater reform.

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Behind the statistics. Three real stories from the millions that make up the refugee crisis.

Where next for the internet of things? Five predictions for the year ahead.

When David meets Goliath. Three things established firms need to know before partnering with start-ups.

Enough hysteria. It’s time to have a serious debate about the refugee crisis.

Geopolitical instability is bad for business. Here are four ways companies can help strengthen fragile states.

Technology transforms more than modern lifestyles. It also helps save lives.

Tackling climate change will drive the next phase of global growth. And China will use that challenge to power its future economic development.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution will be robot-run. But robotics is waiting for its ‘Macintosh moment’. Robots are still dumb and have an image problem, and the field needs funding and engineering talent.

Tax is a moral issue. “It is not just the rule of law but also a sense of shared values that makes economic and social life possible in the modern state.”

China clamps down on economic data faking. Three years ago, Liaoning province’s GDP growth was reported at 9.5%; its current figure is just 2.7%.

China will be the leader of the next wave of industrial disruption. It is important to maintain an open and innovative environment for the internet, says Professor Klaus Schwab. (Xinhua)

A historic vote for Saudi women. But with so many more gender barriers still in place, how significant was this week’s election? Cites Forum research. (Independent)

No more jobs for life. South Korea performs badly when it comes to flexibility in hiring and firing, according to the Global Competitiveness Report. That may be about to change. (Wall Street Journal)

Revving up climate action. 13 auto industry executives from the Forum’s network pledge to fight climate change. (Forbes)

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Author: Adrian Monck is Managing Director and head of Public Engagement at the World Economic Forum.

Image: A man rides a spiral elevator in a new shopping mall in Shanghai March 17, 2015. REUTERS/Aly Song

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