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Fourth Industrial Revolution
Explore the latest strategic trends, research and analysis
Global Issue
Industry
Economy
4th Industrial Revolution
Global Issue
Industry
Economy
4th Industrial Revolution
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Explore context
Fourth Industrial Revolution
How decentralized systems can help rebuild local communities
Cutting-edge technology makes the local management of data and resources as efficient as central management. Local communities can again manage themselves.
Digital Inclusion
Smart cities are great but we also need smart villages
Connectivity allowed people to learn, socialize and work from home during COVID. But for 3.6 billion people without internet access, all of that was impossible.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
This robot looks for lost items
MIT researchers have created a robotic system that can sort through clutter to find an item, with potential applications in manufacturing and more.
Advanced Manufacturing and Production
90 manufacturing sites are scaling innovations on our learning network
The Global Lighthouse Network is developing, replicating and scaling innovations, while setting new benchmarks for the global manufacturing community.
Road to COP26
How 'digital highways' could boost inclusion and advance the SDGs
DPIs connected people with vital services during the pandemic. Building more of these digital highways will boost inclusion and help us achieve the UN SDGs.
Future of Health and Healthcare
How the digital revolution can make healthcare more inclusive
Highly individualized medicine is now within reach. We highlight three examples that support the contact between patients and doctors using digital tools.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Scientists have now made it possible to 'touch' holograms
Precisely controlled jets of air are paired with computer generated graphics to create the sensation of touching the hologram.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
Q&A: Everything you need to know about intelligent automation
Intelligent automation can take on mundane, repetitive tasks, freeing workers up to take on more creative elements of their work. Expert Pascal Bornet explains.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
We are closing the gap between technology and policy
The C4IR Network centres are building scalable models to positively pilot and integrate regulations in law and industry standards.
SDIS2021
How 4IR is enabling policy-making for a more sustainable and agile future
The application of 4IR and agile governance can equip governments to ‘turn the tide’ so businesses and public can transition to a sustainable future.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
How a robot's gaze can affect the human brain
New research shows that a robot's gaze can trick us into thinking we're socially interacting and slow our decision-making process, with implications for the deployment of humanoid robots.
Future of Health and Healthcare
Tiny robots could deliver drugs directly to our central nervous system
New research has developed soft robots that can be controlled using magnetic fields. It's hoped the robots could be used for targeted drug delivery.
Science
Meeting the crypto regulatory challenge
Crypto adoption soared during the pandemic. With the right rules, it could help boost the formal economy and secure financial inclusion on a global scale.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
These countries rank highest for digital competitiveness
New report ranks 140 countries by their digital competitiveness. The results show that digital advances don't always come from the most obvious places.
Future of Media, Entertainment and Sport
Tokyo 2020: How social media has helped Olympic athletes find their voice
Gen Z athletes are connecting directly with millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to share thoughts, feelings and their personal wellbeing.