The Fourth Industrial Revolution. Does it exist?

The Fourth Industrial Revolution. Does it exist?

What can we expect from a society that operates mostly by technology? Throughout the centuries there have been three industrial revolutions and the fourth is about to arrive. It will have nothing to do with what the human being has seen so far.

Revolution	What they use to create production?
1st Industrial Revolution	Water + steam power
2nd Industrial Revolution	Electric power
3rd Industrial Revolution	Electronic + information technology
4th Industrial Revolution	Fusion of technology

As many people think, the fourth industrial revolution is nothing but a prolongation of the third one. However there are some characteristics which we can use to define the fourth as one completely different one: the velocity, the scope and systems impact.

If we compare the fourth one with others industrial revolutions, the Fourth is evolving at an exponential pace, which means that it's evolving faster than the others. Moreover, it is disturbing almost every industry in every country.

The unlimited possibilities that we have to stay in touch and connected by mobiles and the power they have to process the information and all the sources, will be multiplied by using technology in some fields as for instance robots, nanotechnology or artificial intelligence.

We might do not know it but we are already surrounded by artificial intelligence. Self-driving cars, drones and software that translate are some examples of it.

As all revolution puroposes, the fourth’s one is to improve the quality of life for population around the world. The purpose of technology is nothing but to be efficient and a pleasure for personal lives. It makes our life easier when ordering a cab, booking a flight, listening to music, watching a film…

To do this, however, we must think over how technology is affecting our lives and our economic, social, cultural, and human environments. There has never been a time of greater progres.

At the end it all comes to be the same. We have to take advantage of this beautiful time but at the same time we have to value things apart from technology! Lift the head of the mobile phone sometimes and play chess with your friends while drinking a beer!

Written by Ángela Bautista Rodríguez

Revised by Yeray Aguilar Domínguez

EPD 12 / Group 4

Bibliography: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond/