Week 1
Summary
This weeks reading talks about the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is characterised by three clusters of mega trend that intervene with each other – Physical, Digital and Biological. It further talks about how the trends and progress in each of the three fields affect the nature of work i.e., relationship between worker and employer. To expand on that, the reading goes ahead by analysing the impact of these technologies on Governments, Society, Community and Individuals. The reading concludes with putting light on the ethical issues that are raised with the rise of these technologies and how human are adapting to it. It asks the readers to understand its consequences on ones inner life and privacy be it good or bad, that only time will tell.
Personal Experience/Resonance
The effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has been experienced very evidently if not by our generation, then definitely by our fathers. The changes and adaptation that they had to experience is mind-blowing. And even since the dawn of the millennium, with Internet, Facebook, the way we communicate has changed drastically. Kids these days have phones and tablets at an age as young as five. The impact and experiences they have are so different that the ones we had while growing up. The fact that one day AI would take over can be a reality right now. This concept was first put in our heads by the Terminator franchise on a global level. It is fiction and seemed like a far away possibility. But the this rapid growth of the Fourth Industrial Revolution it is very much likely. The issue that we now face is very much of moral as much as it is pushing the boundaries. How do we enhance ourselves as human beings? Knowledge is power and in the hands of the wrong people it could be disastrous. We have seen this in the past as well with the example of Nuclear Energy – It can save people and it can destroy people even generations.
A few articles that are related to the readings.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/06/industry-4-0-business-in-the-age-of-personalisation
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/06/the-benefits-of-looking-beyond-job-titles
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/07/5-insights-on-the-future-of-disruption
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZOkoRuV1R0