The Fourth Industrial Revolution Essay
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of Nairobi *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
GPR 209
Subject
History
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
7
Uploaded by BrigadierWillpowerSeal43
The Fourth Industrial Revolution Essay
Exclusively available on IvyPanda
Table of Contents
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
The term the Fourth Industrial Revolution was coined by Professor Klaus Schwab
who is an executive chairperson. The definition describes the world where individuals move between digital realms and offline reality by using connected technology. The First Industrial Revolution transformed the lives of people from the handicraft and agricultural economy to the one that was dominated by machines and industries. The emergence of the industrial revolution meant that information technology became the main engine that was used to automate all forms of production. Although scholars classify each industrial revolution differently, the fact is that they comprise a series of events that were built upon the innovations of the previous revolutions (Schwab, 2017). This sequence of innovations led to the advancement of the forms of production in all economic sectors.
We will write a custom Essay on The Fourth Industrial Revolution
811
writers online
LEARN MORE
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
was written in 2017 by Professor Klaus Schwab who is an authority in leadership matters. He has a doctorate in economics and a
master’s degree in public policy and has received several awards both nationally and internationally for his prominent work. The book contains relevant information because it concerns issues that are pertinent to society. The writer mainly focuses on how new technologies driven by artificial intelligence are changing all social spheres (Schwab, 2017). The way everything is done today
has changed drastically due to new technologies that drive governments, individuals and organisations.
Changes in Technology
The book begins with the discussion of the major revolutionary trends starting with artificial intelligence, the biotechnology of the autonomous vehicles, nanotechnology, the Internet of things and robotics. The author does not emphasise individual technologies but rather the overall changes that the Internet
has presented to society (Schwab, 2017). He states that the transformation has not penetrated into society comprehensively because the revolution has just begun (Schwab, 2017). Leaders in different sectors try to institute changes in the structure of their organisations so that they could utilise the benefits of changes. The rest of the book unravels broader opportunities and challenges for society, business, governments, individuals and other institutions globally (Schwab, 2017). The author strives to answer the concerns of the majority of people whether the revolution will lead to massive unemployment or create prosperity (Schwab, 2017). The outcome is predicted to be a balance between technology and human workforce.
When one hears the term an industrial revolution, they think of the emergence of railroads and the steam engine invented in the 1800s. When compared with the previous transformations, the current changes are transforming the world but rather in a more common way. It is moving on a larger scale and, at the same time, more rapidly. Such contemporary technologies as self-driven cars are part of the Fourth Revolution. According to Schwab (2017), even those areas that were not touched before have joined the technological advancement, thus producing outcomes which could not be imagined a few years before. Since the revolution marks the start of a new period, everyone needs to have a deep understanding of what it will mean to human life.
Adapting to Technological Changes
This is upon everyone to be privy to the current changes and adapt to them so that no one stagnates. Schwab (2017) does not only highlight the changes the Fourth Revolution will bring to day-to-day operations but goes ahead and gives suggestions on what one needs to do so that they could receive maximum benefits from such transformations. The main message that the author wants everybody to understand is that collaborative growth is vital in this era of new technologies (Schwab, 2017). Schwab (2017) further says that, after leaders have addressed all the obstacles new technology brings, they should utilise them
for the advantage of people. Thus, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is a comprehensive and fascinating dialogue highlighting challenges and benefits that
the transition to advanced developments will make available (Schwab, 2017). People who are in a dilemma with unanswered questions will have their issues resolved if they read this book because it addresses all the concerns about the uncertainty of new technological territories.
The term revolution means a sudden change in the manner of doing things. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, therefore, performs the same functions since it covers the territories that were not known before (Schwab, 2017). At the same time, the previous revolutions mainly concentrated on computer control, mechanisation, automation and mass production while the fourth one entails a range of both existing and new technologies. Furthermore, the changes will be across all the economies and industries, which means that various stakeholders will be affected (Schwab, 2017). The book surpasses being an introduction of a term but goes further and addresses social concerns and what can be done to ensure that this new phenomenon becomes exciting and is embraced by humanity.
Professor Schwab has been at the epicentre of the affairs affecting people for more than four decades. Through his book, The Fourth Industrial Revolution
, he authoritatively explains that the world is at the beginning of a revolution that will tremendously change the way human beings are currently living, working and
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
relating to one another (Schwab, 2017). The book considers the issues that are relevant today and gives insights on how individuals can handle the future that is unfolding at a high rate (Schwab, 2017). The author gives finer details on how people’s collective responsibility can ensure that everyone accrues the benefits associated with the current changes (Schwab, 2017). Prior industrial revolutions freed humanity from relying on animal power to perform their duties. Through information technology, people developed digital capabilities that made mass production of goods broader and easier. However, according to Schwab (2017), this revolution is profoundly different from the previous one. It consists of several technologies that combine the digital, biological and physical worlds, which affect
all the sectors of humanity.
1 hour!
The minimum time our certified writers need to deliver
a 100% original paper
LEARN MORE
Industries and economies will be immensely affected by the transformation to a level where it questions the existence of humanity. Schwab (2017) argues that the revolution has led to changes, disruptions and shifts, which means that individuals live at a time full of great peril and promises. As the author notes, the world is now capable of connecting billions of people to the digital platform, thereby improving the operations of organisations, governments and individuals (Schwab, 2017). Even assets are managed in a manner that engages the natural
environment, which undoes all the misdeeds of the preceding revolutions.
However, as an ambiguous idea, the hypothesis is presented that some organisations might find it difficult to familiarise to the immense changes introduced by the digital transformation. Schwab (2017) remarks that governments are likely to be unwilling and unable to regulate and employ new technologies to capture the benefits associated with the new beginning. In addition, the shifting power will create unique security concerns; societies will fragment, and inequality will widen (Schwab, 2017). The author goes further to
put the recent changes in technology into the historical perspective by outlining the most important technologies that drive the Fourth Revolution (Schwab, 2017).
He discusses the impacts of new technologies on civil society, businesses, individuals and the regimes and provides reasoning on how these interested parties should respond (Schwab, 2017). At the core of his analysis, the researcher is convinced that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is under control as long as there is collaboration across all the sectors, geographies and disciplines (Schwab, 2017). Working together is necessary and critical so that the opportunities gained could be easily accepted and exploited for full benefits.
Due to the imminent changes and challenges the revolution will bring, cooperation between citizens and leaders is considered beneficial to shape the future that will work for them. Schwab (2017) states that all individuals should be empowered and constantly reminded that new technologies are made by people themselves and for their advantage, which is a good opportunity that needs to be
seized. The author argues that the pace at which individuals, organisations and governments embrace changes is crucial (Schwab, 2017). If they are slow to adapt, their very existence will be in jeopardy. The technological changes have prompted the author to raise the issue at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting that was held in 2016 (Schwab, 2017). At the meeting, one of the main agenda was to learn the current technological advancements and how people can benefit from the transformations brought by the revolution.
Schwab further explains that modern technological progress will have immense impacts on society (Schwab, 2017). The effects include inequalities because the labour market is biased towards people who have technical skills. Another impact
is the emergence of society referred to as self-centred (Schwab, 2017). The belief that one belongs to society will be defined by personal interests and values
rather than work and family norms. The author argues that the Fourth Revolution is different from the previous revolutions in terms of complexity, scope and scale. (Schwab, 2017). The idea is promoted that individuals have ample opportunities
to shape the revolution because there is no another way humanity can go without
adjusting.
The book says that artificial intelligence is already in use and ranges from the operation of drones, supercomputers, 3D printing, virtual assistants, wearable sensors, DNA sequencing and minute microchips to smart thermostats. These are systems that control the way businesses and operations are run. Therefore, Schwab (2017) explains that the changes in technology are already in operation, although most people have not seized an opportunity to capitalise on this (Schwab, 2017). The author outlines his ideas boldly on how transformations can
be harnessed to shape the future for the benefit of humanity (Schwab, 2017). He remarks that one of the advantages of technology is empowering individuals rather than replacing them, as most professionals argue (Schwab, 2017). Technology makes societies progress rather than disrupts them, and innovators of such changes respect the ethical and moral norms of introducing transformations. Therefore, the thesis is offered that everyone has a chance to make contributions to the development of society due to new technologies.
Challenges Posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution
In the book, the framework is offered, which leaders in any sector can use to meet the challenges posed by the changes and maximise on the profound adjustments. Schwab (2017) has had a deep understanding of this topic for more
than forty years of uniting civil society, the private sector and the government, which gives him hands-on experience on the issue. The author begins a discussion on how each person can ensure that the revolution is for the advantage of humanity (Schwab, 2017). During this revolution, organisations that
will survive are those that are driven by values and purposes because this is through these attributes that they can grasp the benefits of economic, social and technological changes.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Although there is social excitement due to the changes the revolution will bring in
control over countries, industries and companies, history teaches that any major disruptions to the economy come with other implications. According to the researcher, some of the effects of the revolution include political and social changes that require different ways of organising, thinking and working (Schwab, 2017). Thus, this is important for the revolution to act as an eye-opener so that nobody could be lagging behind because the consequences of not conforming are dire.
Remember! This is just a sample
You can get your custom paper by oneof our expert writers
GET CUSTOM ESSAY