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The Fourth Industrial Revolution
by
World-renowned economist Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, explains that we have an opportunity to shape the fourth industrial revolution, which will fundamentally alter how we live and work.
Schwab argues that this revolution is different in scale, scope and complexity from any that have come before. Characterized by a range of new ...more
Schwab argues that this revolution is different in scale, scope and complexity from any that have come before. Characterized by a range of new ...more
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Kindle Edition, 198 pages
Published
January 11th 2016
by World Economic Forum
(first published 2016)
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The author Klaus Schwab is a German-born business professor at the University of Geneva. He was founder of the World Economic Forum in 1971. The WEF facilitates the meeting of business and political leaders, selected intellectuals, and journalists to discuss the future of global economics.
The central theme of the 2016 meeting of the Forum focused on the Fourth Industrial Revolution as defined and discussed by Professor Schwab in a lengthy essay published in Foreign Affairs in 2015. This book is ...more
The central theme of the 2016 meeting of the Forum focused on the Fourth Industrial Revolution as defined and discussed by Professor Schwab in a lengthy essay published in Foreign Affairs in 2015. This book is ...more
"Hence, conversations among educators and developers about the ethical standards that should apply to emerging technologies of the fourth industrial revolution are urgently needed to establish common ethical guidelines and embed them in society and culture."
It is interesting to read an appeal to educators in a book by the founder of the World Economic Forum in Davos. After describing the massive paradigm shifts that we are currently experiencing due to what Klaus Schwab calls the fourth industr ...more
It is interesting to read an appeal to educators in a book by the founder of the World Economic Forum in Davos. After describing the massive paradigm shifts that we are currently experiencing due to what Klaus Schwab calls the fourth industr ...more
This book is written by the founder of the World Economic Forum, and one of the things I’ve noticed is that if you want to read a horror story about what is about to happen to jobs, then reading reports from WEF or the IMF are of Stephen King scale terror. Basically, all hell is about to break loose and even the masters of capitalism are terrified about what that might mean.
The problem, as so many other books I’ve read recently on this topic say, has most to do with exponential growth. And the p ...more
The problem, as so many other books I’ve read recently on this topic say, has most to do with exponential growth. And the p ...more
The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution” is an average to above average book about the forces of disruption and the innovation shaping our future. Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, describes how technology and society coexist, and makes the case that we are in the midst of a fourth and distinct revolution. This 199-page succinct book includes the following three chapters: 1. The Fourth Industrial Revoluti ...more
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution” is an average to above average book about the forces of disruption and the innovation shaping our future. Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, describes how technology and society coexist, and makes the case that we are in the midst of a fourth and distinct revolution. This 199-page succinct book includes the following three chapters: 1. The Fourth Industrial Revoluti ...more
I wrote a 1200 word review of this and then my laptop crashed and I lost it, so here's the gist:
* Interesting to read a senior economist speak about likely macroeconomic changes resulting from technology
* Despite his cautious optimism, we're clearly all screwed
* Brace yourself for an era of mass unemployment
Good read though - lots of facts and figures and graphs and data. ...more
* Interesting to read a senior economist speak about likely macroeconomic changes resulting from technology
* Despite his cautious optimism, we're clearly all screwed
* Brace yourself for an era of mass unemployment
Good read though - lots of facts and figures and graphs and data. ...more
Ohhhhh, I'd love to write an alternative version of this book.
The usual suspects are here, that we see in all Schwab's books. Disruption. Drones. Networking. Speed.
Yawn.
But what is interesting is just the hint of what happens to labour - to workers - through this fourth industrial revolution.
Bottom line. Fewer people are required to complete work. So less people will be needed in the workplace. So fewer people will be paid...
Therefore, labour surplus will increase. Therefore more people will be ...more
The usual suspects are here, that we see in all Schwab's books. Disruption. Drones. Networking. Speed.
Yawn.
But what is interesting is just the hint of what happens to labour - to workers - through this fourth industrial revolution.
Bottom line. Fewer people are required to complete work. So less people will be needed in the workplace. So fewer people will be paid...
Therefore, labour surplus will increase. Therefore more people will be ...more
''Consider 'Remote Monitoring,' a widespread application of the [Internet of Things]. Any package, pallet, or container can now be equipped with a sensor, transmitter, or radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that allows a company to track where it is as it moves through the supply chain, how it is performing, how it is being used, and so on. Similarly, customers can continuously track actively in real time the progress of the package or document they are expecting. For companies that are in
...more
I read this for work. After reading hundreds of pages of various research reports on this same topic, I read this book. Which was far more boring and dryly written than any of the reports. I feel like books should be more engaging than research reports, but maybe that's just me.
...more
The fourth revolution. Written on my mobile phone mainly to keep notes.. pardon the poor grammar :)
1. What it means and how to respond:
a. Highlight a couple of areas: artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, IOT, autonomous cars, biotechnology, quantum computing, material science, 3D printing, robotics
b. Talks about income gap. And that he expects the dis-satisfaction to grow. People have unrealistic expectations of what qualifies as good income.
c. Talks about the 4th revolutions dehumanizing s ...more
1. What it means and how to respond:
a. Highlight a couple of areas: artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, IOT, autonomous cars, biotechnology, quantum computing, material science, 3D printing, robotics
b. Talks about income gap. And that he expects the dis-satisfaction to grow. People have unrealistic expectations of what qualifies as good income.
c. Talks about the 4th revolutions dehumanizing s ...more
Hmmm, OK. I've read the same content many times before. This isn't really offering anything new. If you're relatively new to the topic, then it's an OK coverage in a short book (<200 pages)
...more
Simple. Informative. Useful.
So far the worst book I've read this year.
A summary: Change is definitely happening. It'll be good, but maybe also bad. We should cooperate to make it more good than bad.
Far more fluff than substance. With many potential downsides glossed over or entirely absent.
I gave the second star mostly for the appendix which at least goes into some detail about what changes the World Economic Forum's experts believe will be a reality by 2025.
It's possible this book was better in 2016 and I hope so. But fo ...more
A summary: Change is definitely happening. It'll be good, but maybe also bad. We should cooperate to make it more good than bad.
Far more fluff than substance. With many potential downsides glossed over or entirely absent.
I gave the second star mostly for the appendix which at least goes into some detail about what changes the World Economic Forum's experts believe will be a reality by 2025.
It's possible this book was better in 2016 and I hope so. But fo ...more
Contains gems such as: "Agile governance does not imply regulatory uncertainty, nor frenetic, ceaseless activity on the part of policymakers. We should not make the mistake of thinking that we are caught between two equally unpalatable legislative frameworks — outdated but stable on one hand, or up-to-date but volatile on the other. In the age of the fourth industrial revolution, what is needed is not necessarily more or faster policymaking, but rather a regulatory and legislative ecosystem that
...more
This book does not need to exist. This isn't a book either. What could be written in a blog post is dragged into a book.
The author simply explains i.e. interprets the WEF report for us in this book. The only value addition of this book is at the end, i.e. in the appendix which is more than enough to sum up this book.
The title of the book should be changed to - Comments on the WEF Report or A Casual interpretation of the WEF Report. The author almost adds no value to the report. He makes no pred ...more
The author simply explains i.e. interprets the WEF report for us in this book. The only value addition of this book is at the end, i.e. in the appendix which is more than enough to sum up this book.
The title of the book should be changed to - Comments on the WEF Report or A Casual interpretation of the WEF Report. The author almost adds no value to the report. He makes no pred ...more
Potential for common-good-enhancing technological revolution
I really enjoyed the emphasis on complexity and the need to master ecosystem interaction between advances in all kinds of fields (all enabled through technological advances). The possibility of devolving power (literally and figuratively) is amazing, along with creating a zero-waste and low-carbon system of production and consumption. I also appreciate the cautions of how the 4th industrial revolution risks further alienating the alread ...more
I really enjoyed the emphasis on complexity and the need to master ecosystem interaction between advances in all kinds of fields (all enabled through technological advances). The possibility of devolving power (literally and figuratively) is amazing, along with creating a zero-waste and low-carbon system of production and consumption. I also appreciate the cautions of how the 4th industrial revolution risks further alienating the alread ...more
For a book with no bibliography that only generally cites his own organization’s research, Schwab’s writing seems to be based largely on speculation. He praises Uber multiple times throughout the book, but fails to mention their exploitive labor practices in the section on ethics (or anywhere really). In fact, Schwab fails to mention anything that actually matters: the people affected by increasing income equality, climate change, literally ANYTHING relevant to our future. He does, however, assu
...more
A decent primer into the world of technological developments that are bringing forth the "fourth industrial revolution" And the discussions surrounding this phenomenon in different realms i.e. societal, ethical, economical, etc. The author manages to turn an exciting subject into a rather dull read. Nonetheless recommended for anyone interested in the nature of the fourth industrial revolution and what we can expect from it. The appendix is particularly useful, listing all the major technologies
...more
The bible of governments now! Evolve or die! İ loved the book!
A shallow but useful first glance at what could be on the horizon. Far too little about the dangers and likely uses for many emerging technologies. Written with very roses glasses.
I would actually rate this book as 3.4 (Just because it is not quite as good as a four star rating but is surely a little better than a typical three star rated book)
There is no doubt that Klaus Schwab has created one of the most powerful and positive organisations on a global level. The World Economic Forum is a powerhouse that keeps on giving and throughout the years has been a hub for the greatest leaders in the world to come along and strategise collaboratively. However, this review is not ...more
There is no doubt that Klaus Schwab has created one of the most powerful and positive organisations on a global level. The World Economic Forum is a powerhouse that keeps on giving and throughout the years has been a hub for the greatest leaders in the world to come along and strategise collaboratively. However, this review is not ...more
Three reasons that 4IR is underway.
1) Velocity: evolving at expediential, rather than linear pace (shows multifaced, interconnected world we live in).
2) Breadth and Depth: Changing the “What”, “How”, but also “How”. Digitalisation means automation.
3) Systems Impact: transformation of entire systems. Impacts/benefits the supply sides of economy the most (The investors, entrepreneurs, shareholders).
The three previous industrial revolutions:
1) First Industrial Revolution: 1760 – 1840 brought in m ...more
1) Velocity: evolving at expediential, rather than linear pace (shows multifaced, interconnected world we live in).
2) Breadth and Depth: Changing the “What”, “How”, but also “How”. Digitalisation means automation.
3) Systems Impact: transformation of entire systems. Impacts/benefits the supply sides of economy the most (The investors, entrepreneurs, shareholders).
The three previous industrial revolutions:
1) First Industrial Revolution: 1760 – 1840 brought in m ...more
Over the course of human history, there have been three industrial revolutions. The first occurred when we began using mechanical power rather than sheer human muscle.
The second industrial revolution dawned with the rise of mass production. The hallmarks of this industrial shift were the assembly line and electrified power.
The third industrial revolution is often referred to as either the computer revolution or the digital revolution. Its contributions were the advent of computers, as well as se ...more
The second industrial revolution dawned with the rise of mass production. The hallmarks of this industrial shift were the assembly line and electrified power.
The third industrial revolution is often referred to as either the computer revolution or the digital revolution. Its contributions were the advent of computers, as well as se ...more
I wish I was able to give this book a three and a half star rating. The author wrote about the possibility of different shifts in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The shifts include implantable smartphones to cities that run without any traffic lights. A quick educated read that opens the mind to many possibilities.
The use of mechanical power started the industrial revolution. But it’s only the first one. The 2nd is mass production, marked by electric power and assembly. The use of computers is the third one. And finally, we are going through the 4th one marked by AI, IoT, mobile devices etc.
This was a well structured and articulated look at how present and near future technology will shape our world and industries. The author does a great job outlining and addressing the benefits and concerns of our future. It is thought provoking to say the least.
This is a good starting point for someone just hearing about the idea of the fourth industrial revolution. In less than 5years things would have gone deeper that what was mentioned in this book.
Do you care about the future? Do you worry about how we can survive the coming shifts in technology, business, government and society? Do you have a high tolerance for the jargon of the global elite and its megadose of endless buzz words? If so, this book is right for you.
The author, the founder of the WEF at Davos, is well-placed to have a unique and well-informed perspective on the disruptive but potentially beneficial megatrends shaping our near future.
Despite the book's technocratic and dipl ...more
The author, the founder of the WEF at Davos, is well-placed to have a unique and well-informed perspective on the disruptive but potentially beneficial megatrends shaping our near future.
Despite the book's technocratic and dipl ...more
Based on different studies of the WEF on the fourth industrial revolution we are experiencing. It is easy to read with lots of information, I liked the optimism of dr. Schwab
Another freebie Blinkist audiobook: 15 minute abridged summary of the actual book. After three previous industrial revolutions, we're now in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution. This is a fact, the book says so. This, fourth one, is distinguished by the speed, the scale and the impact that it involves - although I suspect all the previous three would have thought the same for theirs. The majority of this impact will be on people, mostly in terms of jobs - although the book suggests th
...more
Best part for me was the appendix about expected deep changes and their pros/cons
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