- A revolution can be defined as a dramatic
and wide reaching change in conditions.
When considering the cumulative consequences
of many changes taking place
in the first two decades of the 21st century,
particularly from a technological perspective,
we appear to be in a period
that meets this definition.
Unlike previous industrial revolutions,
the fourth revolution has no precedent
with regard to the degree of impact,
scope and velocity of change.
And while so much of the progress
we've discussed in this course has
a positive trend line to it,
there are a lot of reasons to have concerns, too.
The decisions that we collectively make
over the next few decades
will define humanity's destiny
for a long time to come.
So many of those decisions
will be ethical in nature.
It won't necessarily be a question
of whether we can do something;
but rather a question of whether
we should do something.
It's been said that with great power
comes great responsibility.
In many ways,
these words may come to define
the fourth industrial revolution.
What choices will we make
with regard to the role
of artificial intelligence in society?
How will organizations and individuals act,
and be protected in what appears to be
an inevitable post-privacy world?
What will be our boundaries for editing
human genes and extending life,
or creating new life,
and even redefining life?
These questions only hint
at the consequential times ahead.
We've only just begun to explore
the nature of a fourth industrial revolution.
What we didn't delve into are a number
of other macro contexts in which
this revolution will unfold.
Most looming is our climate crisis.
If we are to accept the conclusions
of hundreds of climate scientists,
in the decades ahead we face
significant human challenges.
Our sea level is anticipated to rise,
putting coastline cities at risk,
Many which host millions of people.
More frequent and devastating weather patterns
will bring bigger storms and longer droughts.
Our seas and lands will become less tolerant
to abundant life,
devastating the ecosystem that supports
the fish, animals, and plants we consume.
But our climate crisis can be another frontier
to apply new ideas and technologies.
With investment and leadership,
we may have the tools to save our planet.
Somehow an exit plan,
the desire to find somewhere else in the galaxy
for us to live doesn't seem practical.
For the foreseeable future,
this is the only planet that is our home.
A climate crisis,
changing economic circumstances,
an easier mobility may also force
large human migrations.
How will cities and cultures adapt
to a massive influx of new people?
This won't be limited to a European or U.S. challenge.
Human migrations will be within
and between most continents.
It's a large challenge for humanity
in terms of resources.
Stress on already stretched urban infrastructure,
And the cultural capacity
for peaceful assimilation.
This fourth industrial revolution will have
far reaching consequences in the way we live,
work and play.
Remarkable new technology,
such as self-driving cars,
artificial intelligence,
medicines that cure major diseases
or help us live much, much longer.
New material science and so many more
change the calculus for humanity.
Drop in the climate crisis
and the shifting demographics into the mix,
just two of many macro factors,
and we have the conditions for another
long wave of great change.
On one level,
this may all sound fascinating,
and make for interesting knowledge and discussion.
However a more pragmatic way
to respond to knowledge
of a fourth industrial revolution,
may be to ask what does it mean to you,
your family and colleagues,
and to organizations that matter to you.