Technological developments are increasingly converging with man and his society and are about to drastically change our lives. The fourth industrial revolution stands out from previous revolutions because of the speed of developments, the global scale and the most far-reaching impact on man and his society.
The fact that billions of people worldwide can connect with each other virtually without any problems is, on closer inspection, a wonder of the world. With a simple click, not just simple messages but entire files are sent around the world. The internet is opening up every area of this planet. Companies like Google are working toopen upevenhard-to-reach placesvia satellites. The mobile network unlocks information much faster than traditional media as we have seen again in the past year.
IntelligenceAnother groundbreaking step is that with the latest computing technology (quatum technology), artificial intelligence is very close. The computational speed and compactness of the latest systems, combined with advancedalgorithms opens the door to an artificial intelligence.
RobotisationThe fear of many workers and unions is the rapidly advancing robotisation. Were once clumsy devices. The latest robots can now easily replace human motoric imitation. A Japanese robot flawlessly imitated the physical motor movements of a samurai swordsman and managed to cut a candlelight just as easily.
Nano and biotechnologyIn the medical world, the 1st steps are already being madet to apply nanotechnology as in neurology. The biotechnology sector has arrived at the next level when it comes to the development of new resistant crops to the most advanced medications.
Challenges and opportunitiesThusas the previous industrial revolutions, the fourth revolution also harbours the possibility of economic development and further improvement of our well-being. Were it now mainly products from which the consumer benefited also supply chains will withinkort benefit from the latest technology and see their costs fall and have more opportunities to offer consumers the best possible service in terms of speed and service.
On the other hand, there is a possibility that the new revolution will lead to a greater degree of inequality in our society. Certain groups that cannot keep up, such as low-skilled workers, will miss the boat. Now, this may be a temporary effect as was the case with previous revolutions. The question is then how society will bridge that period to avoid too much unrest. Either way we are growing towards high skill/high pay becoming a dominant factor in the labour market. This is one of the fears of the lower educated and they are increasinglyresisting globalisation. The lower middle group and the under group are the 'losers' in this revolution.
Another challenge is who controls, manages and owns the capital of the new revolution. The influence of global players such as Google, Facebook, but also pharmaceuticals, technology companies, may well be decisive due to their scale. In doing so, political primacy will be eroded. Something one can already see in the United States with the last election. Dergely developments can create unforeseen and unwanted counter-movements.
Business developments
What is striking about this revolution is that even the best equipped and informed companies can still be surprised by yet another new development, startup, app etc. The process has its own dynamics and hardly any control from politics or business. This partly explains the somewhat conservative attitude of the business community towards Big Data, for example. Everyone realises it isimportant, that it can help their business, but the how, where, when, who and why do not get a good grip on it.
Where Big Data can increasingly unlock consumers' wants and demands, those same wants and demands are taking flight and changing continue of direction. These developments are disrupting existing traditional structures [Uber] but are themselves not yet well positioned to meet consumer demands. Organisations must now simultaneously take into account that the revolution is impact has on consumer demands, product and/or service development, collaboration and organisational structures. In addition, today's technology platforms that consumers are increasingly developing and exchanging products and services themselves, thereby sidelining business. [Energy]
PoliticsTechnology also offers the possibility of the voter interacting faster and directly at the political level (referendums whether digital or not). Politics also faces the enormous speed of development and real-time pressure from the kiezer. Consensus, balancing of interests hardly gets space anymore. This complicates international cooperation, for example, as sentiment increasingly prevails (TTIP).
Politics can 'survive' this if it becomes more aware of whatit does decide and what it leaves to citizens. The participatory society is an initial impetus that, however, has a major flaw. If you transfer responsibility, then you must also transfer further regulation in the form of beslout, design and financing. These have been lacking, causing consumers to feel unaddressed and resist.
Environment
The latest developments could be a boost for the climate. The fossils are clearly on their way out. Not only because of government regulations but the finite nature and diminishing returns are making more and more companies refrain from new investments in this polluting form of generation. New mobility developments will reduce the pressure andbetter information gives the opportunity to come up with smarter solutions that benefit the environment. Also, more and more companies but also politicians realise that C2C solutions reduce dependency in a world where pressure on raw materials isprogressivelyincreasing and driving up costs.
FutureIt is precisely in a revolution that seems so elusive that political and industrial policymakers have an important role to play. Creating a framework within which innovation freely developsand. A framework developed in close cooperation and consultation with society that sets limits to what is permissible and desirable. Unfortunately, many policymakers are still trapped in the traditional linear way of thinking. Mostly top-down. We suckllen need to recalibrate our norms and values taking into account the power of this revolution on the one hand but also taking into account the absorptive capacity of society and human beings. Then there is a chance of this revolution giving a new chancetto humanity in terms of creativity, humanity and morality with a clear common purpose.
Hans Groen -Advisor Supply Chain and Performance Management
