Towards a 4th industrial revolution

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to the technological transformation society is undergoing in the 21st Century. This paper explores how technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and autonomous vehicles are increasingly merging with human lives and creating a radical shift for employees, organisations, and society as a whole. Work and the meaning of work are revolutionising as technology matures and organisations are driven by digitalisation and smart ecosystems. This shift will require a balance between technological innovation in the workplace with new jobs and employment concepts. The technologies driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution are changing the demands and expectations of the buildings and cities we work and live in. The next industrial revolution will move on from ‘smart buildings’ and ‘smart cities’ to the beginning of autonomous, intelligent, and sentient urban infrastructure. This paper presents the challenges and opportunities that the Fourth Industrial Revolution presents. It ultimately concludes that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is a catalyst of change that will disrupt how we communicate, learn, behave, and relate to each other and our surroundings and it presents an optimistic view of the opportunities for change.