Question

Explain the following external factors that need to take into consideration due the arrival of 4IR:

a) International job and labor market

b) Internet and digital bandwidth

c) Social network and literacy

d) Gender and interest levels

e) Other factors such as natural calamities, political unrest and hot spots

Answer 1

a) International job and labor market

Like all other industrial revolutions, the 4IR is expected to raise global employment in areas of technological innovation. However the 4IR will use automation to speed things up exponentially and this could result in the replacement of factory workers with machines taking over the jobs. Conversely, the onset of new technology could result in the creation of new jobs as well. Either way, blue and white collar jobs could grow increasingly disparate with greater pay divides.

(Schwab, 2016)

b) Internet and digital bandwidth

As the 4IR goes on to affect more products/services, increasingly everything will need to be connected to each other and to the internet. This could put a severe drain on the resources as viewed now, as increasingly people adopt more and more devices that use up digital bandwidth at the same time e.g. laptop stays on for work, smartphone for fun/games/applications, smart devices such as smart watches. Internet bandwidth will need to be upgraded quickly to deliver full-fibre networks that connect homes/businesses/utility operations etc., to ensure that it can take the load from 4IR as it arrives.

(Corfe, 2018)

c) Social network and literacy

As jobs increasingly tend to the extremes of high-skill-and-pay and low-skill-and-pay, with more workers needed with high skills and education, the demand and interest in gaining an education that can net a good job will increase. This could increase the literacy rates around the world as those who can will try and reach for/provide for their children a chance at the coveted high-skill-and-pay jobs. The pervasive nature of social media in the current world could intensify this gap or perception of it and increasingly polarise the world into the two sections. This could lead to social tension and disillusionment over the inequality.

(Schwab, 2016)

d) Gender and interest levels

4IR could bring on more remote working opportunities and this could mean more jobs for women who want to work while taking care of their families. Ability to manage work from anywhere, flexible work schedules etc could help bring in more diversity in the workplace and also help reduce the current gender pay gap that exists around the world.

(Corfe, 2018)

e) Other factors such as natural calamities, political unrest and hot spots

New technologies and platforms can enable citizens to voice their opinions more and engage with their governments. It can also affect national and international security, and countries can respond by enforcing more stringent rules and guidelines that can use protests or political unrest.

The availability of technology can have a positive impact on disaster prevention and rescue operations for natural calamities. Early warning systems can help to ensure impact of natural disasters is recorded earlier and used to prevent damage and minimise loss to life. It can also help countries/governments coordinate rescue operations better to provide better post disaster help and care.

References :

Corfe, Scott. (2018) 4IR in the Workplace: Ensuring employers and employees benefit. Social Market Foundation (Oct)

Schwab, Klaus. (2016) The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond. World Economic Forum agenda.