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Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution signifies a profound shift in the manner in which we generate, trade, and allocate value. This represents a convergence of our physical, digital, and biological realms into a unified whole, brought about by a technological transformation. The rapidly advancing technologies, including artificial intelligence, gene editing, augmented reality, robots, and 3-D printing, provide great potential for addressing complex problems. However, this revolution also necessitates the governance of these solutions in a manner that enables, promotes collaboration, and contributes to the establishment of a more sustainable basis for social and economic progress.

Fourth Industrial Revolution

Frontier Technologies


In the realm of frontier technologies, encompassing fields like quantum biology and artificial intelligence (AI), the primary objective should be to actively contribute to resolving significant global challenges faced by humanity. These technologies offer the potential to unlock new frontiers in various sectors, such as biology, energy, computing, and intelligence, which are pivotal for the future prosperity of the global economy. The exploration and development of these cutting-edge technologies can have far-reaching benefits for economies around the world.


One key area is quantum biology, which involves understanding the role of quantum physics in natural processes and human consciousness. This could lead to groundbreaking discoveries in energy production and brain science. Another area is the development of AI systems that are free from human biases and do not rely on extensive training data, representing a significant step forward in creating fair and efficient AI solutions.


Venomics, the study of venom chemistry, is another frontier technology with the potential to revolutionize medical treatments for various diseases and disorders. By studying the complex compounds found in animal venoms, researchers can develop new pharmaceuticals and therapeutic approaches.


These technologies have the potential to not only reconstruct global systems in a sustainable manner but also to enhance both human and environmental well-being. They could play a crucial role in establishing increased resilience against future crises by strengthening government services, improving infrastructure efficiency (like public transportation and sustainable energy systems), expanding educational opportunities, and promoting the development of business services that create long-term value for customers.


However, for frontier technologies to have a positive impact, it is essential to have meticulous and thoughtful regulation and control in place. Any technological development or regulatory endeavor must be guided by a commitment to human dignity and focus on creating inclusive benefits that are accessible to all, regardless of gender, color, or ethnicity. Furthermore, these efforts should aim to generate trust among the public.


Several emerging frontier technologies pose significant risks. Digital phenotyping, which involves using computer systems to analyze physical or mental health, raises concerns about privacy and misuse. Similarly, the use of big data and AI in predicting criminal behavior can lead to cultural and racial biases, while the potential increase in autonomous weaponry calls for preventive safeguards. Therefore, it's crucial to take proactive steps to prevent the misuse of these technologies, ensuring they don't exacerbate systemic issues like racism, widen wealth gaps, or harm vulnerable populations.


Technology Innovation


The realm of technology innovation is vast and varied. Certain forms of innovation are directly linked to original scientific research, such as the development of breakthrough medications. Other innovations may emerge from novel applications of existing technologies or advancements in different fields. For example, many enterprises in the sharing economy have been developed from pre-existing internet and mobile technologies. Meanwhile, technologies like drones and 3D printing hold the potential to create entirely new markets and disrupt existing ones.


However, it is "general purpose" technologies, like artificial intelligence, that have the most significant societal implications. These technologies, akin to the steam engine, automobile, personal computer, internet, and potentially AI, have the capacity to revolutionize entire industries. Their impacts on society have been profound, changing the way we live, work, and interact with each other.


Given the critical role of research and development in fostering these innovations, policymakers have shown great interest in identifying ways to enhance it. Areas of focus include establishing national frameworks for research funding, creating mechanisms for granting and safeguarding patents (which may receive state support), enhancing the commercialization of university research, and providing fiscal benefits for pioneering enterprises, such as R&D tax credits or specialized tax systems for income generated from intellectual property.


The convergence of physical and biological realms is occurring partly due to the development of novel materials that mimic biological systems. A notable advancement in this area is the identification of polyhexahydrotriazines, a new class of recyclable, thermosetting polymers (plastics), which marks a significant step towards a more sustainable economy. In medical technology, the regular use of novel materials in medical implants, tissue engineering, and the fabrication of synthetic organs is becoming increasingly common. Moreover, the use of 3D printing is growing in popularity for producing personalized structures, further blurring the lines between biology and technology.


The intersection of biology and digital technology is most contentiously seen in the field of genetic engineering. The availability and affordability of gene sequencing and editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, have made it possible to accurately and reliably remove or replace specific sequences in the genomes of plants and animals. Additionally, the use of sensors to monitor health and behavior, as well as efforts to understand and manipulate brain function, represent significant developments in this convergence.


Another noteworthy application is the use of cryptography in blockchain technology, which has now extended beyond digital systems to impact the real world. This includes managing land records, tracking deforestation, and other applications.


Technology Access and Inclusion


The COVID-19 pandemic has both highlighted and exacerbated the global disparity in access to digital resources, leading to an increased gap between those who have and those who do not have access to technology. This disparity has significant implications for the well-being of individuals, as access to the internet can provide critical resources for government services and education.


During the pandemic, the acceleration of digital transformation allowed many people to maintain their work, education, and social connections despite mobility restrictions. However, it also intensified pre-existing inequalities. According to the International Telecommunications Union, approximately 2.9 billion people remain unable to use the internet. While most of the global population lives in areas with broadband coverage, only about two-thirds actually have internet access. This indicates that the primary barrier to greater connectivity is not the lack of technical infrastructure, but rather the associated costs.


To bridge this digital divide, it's essential to invest in creating more inclusive digital communities. This includes improving public access and affordability, as well as enhancing the general population's digital skills and understanding of relevant topics.

Moreover, enhancing digital inclusion can also improve the quality of public services. A case in point is Maputo, Mozambique, where a participatory monitoring platform has been implemented to address solid waste management issues and improve services in informal settlements. Such initiatives show how greater access to digital tools can enhance citizens' ability to engage with and improve the services they rely on.


Greater access to digital content can also empower individuals to better understand and navigate the systems that increasingly provide healthcare, education, job services, and civic participation opportunities. This is especially beneficial for vulnerable groups, such as the growing global population of refugees and internally displaced persons. According to the UN human rights agency's estimate, the total number of people compelled to leave their homes reached 89.3 million by the end of 2021. Digital accessibility offers the potential to empower marginalized communities, including indigenous peoples, rural communities, persons with disabilities (through assistive technologies like voice-recognition software), women and girls, and historically disadvantaged youth.


Disrupting Jobs, Demanding New Skills


The Fourth Industrial Revolution is significantly impacting people's livelihoods and creating a substantial demand for new skills. A report by PwC predicts that artificial intelligence and related technologies will eliminate 7 million jobs in the United Kingdom by 2038, but also create approximately 7.2 million new jobs in sectors like healthcare, scientific labs, and education systems. The employment landscape across various sectors will undergo significant changes due to disruptions in related business models. This will lead to the creation of new jobs, the elimination of existing jobs, potentially increased productivity, and larger disparities between the skills currently in demand by employers and those that will be most sought after.

Considering the expected magnitude of this technological upheaval, it's crucial to develop more efficient methods for assisting individuals in acquiring new skills and mitigating job losses. In previous industrial revolutions, the establishment of training systems and labor market institutions required to develop new skillsets often took several decades.


However, given the rapid pace of the current industrial revolution, such a long period for skill development may no longer be feasible. To address this challenge, companies need to quickly recognize and invest in their employees as valuable resources, rather than viewing them as potential burdens. This perspective remains crucial as individuals seek to stabilize their positions amidst the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased reliance on Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.


Ultimately, companies need to develop and implement proactive talent-management strategies and foster stronger, more consistent partnerships with governments and education providers. When addressing workers in industries likely to see job cuts, organizations should strive to offer both training for new skills and opportunities for successful career transitions. Efforts related to this matter must be based on a solid understanding of the specific characteristics of the country in which they are carried out. Moreover, these efforts should not only consider the current demands for skills but also anticipate future advancements.


Agency and Trust


In the data-centric Fourth Industrial Revolution, offering both data security and individual control over personal information can set a company apart from its competitors. The revolution is built on the foundation of data, serving as a catalyst for innovation in both business and government. Allowing individuals greater control over their data can enhance their interactions with the institutions they depend on regularly. In addition, employing biometrics and multi-factor authentication can foster trust, a valuable commodity that is diminishing due to the rise in cybercrime and the exploitation of personal data for commercial purposes.


However, the very technology that can enhance verification processes can also erode trust. For instance, artificial intelligence is susceptible to manipulation and the inherent biases of its human programmers. There is a growing demand for individuals to have greater control over their data. As a result, certain technology companies and governments are exploring decentralized identity systems that could give users more power. For example, Microsoft, Accenture, and Mastercard have expressed their intention to invest in decentralized models. Additionally, the government of Malta has created a method for educational institutions to issue academic credentials based on blockchain technology. These credentials are owned by the students, can be easily transferred, and can be instantly verified. By 2024, it is projected that governments worldwide will have issued approximately five billion digital identification documents. The majority of these documents have been issued in low- and middle-income nations located in Africa and Asia.


Ethics and Identity


What is the appropriate approach to managing machines that possess human-like characteristics?


The Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by advancements in synthetic biology, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, is driving innovation that is reshaping the concept of humanity. This innovation is pushing the boundaries of lifespan, health, and cognition, previously only seen in works of science fiction. For every new breakthrough, it is crucial to engage in a pertinent moral and ethical discourse in order to effectively address phenomena such as extended lifespan, genetic manipulation, and memory retrieval. The field of biology presents various ethical dilemmas in terms of regulation and societal standards. Emerging technologies raise inquiries regarding the essence of humanity, the extent of personal health information that should be disclosed, and the rights and obligations associated with modifying the genetic makeup of future generations. Various inquiries are expected to emerge concerning human augmentation and the optimal approach for societies to handle computers possessing human-like attributes and the capacity to independently make life-or-death choices. Policy-makers, regulators, and corporate executives are placing growing importance on privacy, data security, and identity challenges.

There is a growing realization that artificial intelligence systems have the ability to maintain the prejudices of their human creators, leading to discrimination that poses a danger to human rights and weakens democratic principles. Facial recognition technology relies on algorithms to identify facial matches. However, these algorithms exhibit greater accuracy when applied to white men compared to women and people of color. This discrepancy arises from the fact that databases predominantly consist of data on white men, leading to biases in the algorithms, as reported in published sources. There is a rising apprehension that as the Fourth Industrial Revolution advances, it may have a detrimental impact on social abilities, such as the capacity for empathy, as it further intertwines human interactions with technology. With the increasing prevalence of online connection, concerns arise regarding the potential decline in individuals' ability to engage in face-to-face communication, including listening attentively, maintaining eye contact, and appropriately interpreting body language. It is imperative to ensure that this industrial revolution promotes the well-being of humanity and serves as an empowering force that allows technology to be a tool created by and for individuals. Hence, individuals and institutions must collectively assume the responsibility of promoting innovation that truly promotes the welfare of the public.


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