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.
3 ways gene editing could wipe out Zika
Scientists are turning to emerging technologies such as synthetic biology for solutions to Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Why the best technology isn’t always the winner
View of a giant incandescent light bulb
Why development aid needs to adapt to the 21st century
There is controversy over whether aid can promote overall economic growth.
Why are digital technologies missing from economic statistics?
Common economic statistics such as GDP may not be the best way to measure digital innovation.
Are robots the future of warfare?
The Pentagon is racing to harness a new wave of military technology that officials hope will keep the US ahead of rival powers.
The rocket fuel of the future? Sunlight
NASA is developing a new generation of spacecrafts – powered by solar energy.
Can technology make us more productive?
If companies successfully marry new digital approaches with “smart simplicity", they can improve the productivity of their people.
When eagles hunt drones
British police could soon have a new solution to drones engaged in criminal activity.
Intelligent Assets: Unlocking the Circular Economy Potential
Where will self-driving cars go next?
The next big testing ground for self-driving cars is the roads around Solihull and Coventry in the UK.
4 ways virtual reality will change our lives
Virtual reality will change everything from how we shop to how we consume our news.
Could this system fix all open-source computing difficulties?
A machine-learning system developed by MIT scientists can recognize correct code 10 times faster than predecessors.