Industrial revolutions, from the age of mechanization to mass production to the digital revolution, have spurred economic growth and prosperity. However, this was often at the cost to the environment and society. Carbon dioxide emissions dramatically increased in step with the industrial revolutions, and many people were left behind during the digital revolution fuelling a widening digital divide. Now, as we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a revolution defined by frontier technological breakthroughs such as AI, robotics, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things amongst others, it will be critical that these technologies work for society and the environment as well as the economy if we are to achieve the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard we need to listen to historians, not just futurists. The disruptive nature of technology is nothing new. It will be critical to learn from the past as we shape the future of frontier technologies. Frontier technologies offer a multitude of opportunities to re-imagine how our economies could serve better social and environmental needs. First, the adoption of technologies and innovation in production processes has the potential to enhance productivity. For example, embracing the Internet of Things in China’s manufacturing chain could add up to $736 billion to GDP by 2030.
No comments:
Post a Comment