4th Industrial Revolution: Are we prepared for iGen?
View(s):
There is a looming threat of being victims of the 4th Industrial Revolution unless we prepare with necessary knowledge to face it now. Generation Z, also known as iGen (Centennials) are those born after 1996 following the Millennials. iGen are now in the education stream. Those born before that would belong to Generations X, Y, Baby Boomers or Traditionalists the oldest. iGens and their parents, the Millennials, are destined to be most affected. The scientific knowledge, technology knowhow, research work, development of new technology and technological innovation are the key drivers of economic development in the evolving scenario. Our systems of learning and education should now be geared to prepare the iGens to avoid marginalisation.Millennials have already disrupted the way we used to live.
They used digital technologies to develop these new economies. The past industrial revolution took centuries to evolve. Technology we use is changing so rapidly without notice. The preceding industrial revolution used water and steam power to mechanise production, electric power to create mass production and used electronics and information technology to automate production. We are now facing the 4th Industrial Revolution in less than half a century from the 3rd by building on the digital revolution started by the Millennials. We now begin to see intelligent technology commandeering inanimate solids, liquids, gasses, energy and connecting this matter with the brain functions. This revolution is breaking through the biological boundaries making it possible to supersede the human functions with digital biology.
Artificial Intelligence
We have seen the breakthrough technologies evolved from AI (Artificial Intelligence). AI has been used so frequently in technologies that it does not get mentioned anymore. The Internet of Things (IoT) can collect information on every move that you make using machines at home or office, thereby, in all sincerity trying to make our lives more comfortable and sustainable. Drones have made vast possibilities in logistics such as mail delivery, news capture, security and surveillance. 3-D printing, which has caught us napping, makes mass production of many things possible. Prototyping, training, construction, architecture, maritime, surgery, prosthetics, education, the chemicals industry and mechanical parts are a few application areas. It can even make wearable dresses, changing the shape of the fashion industry.
Driverless buses
Robotics using AI has made human capital redundant in many large production industries. It is now used in agriculture and services’ areas. Robots are now being trained with deep learning to create own intelligence to sustain themselves by reproduction and defense. It is for us to understand a lot about them for our survival. The big auto manufacturers have produced autonomous vehicles that are now being tested on the roads. Soon we will be driven by a driverless bus to our work place. Biotechnology is an area where we have made advances. Genomics is the science behind the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism. The manipulation of genes has produced multiple gains in food production. Nanotechnology has contributed in our economic development with innovations in fertiliser, solid tire, and graphite.
Graphene is ultra-thin, ultra-strong, super material derived from our graphite. We have a huge potential for economic gains with graphene in hundreds of applications such as production of lighter aircraft, satellites, flexible touch screens, better batteries, lighter stronger plastics, solar cells, stronger medical implants, and water filtration membranes. Other areas changing our lives are energy storage, quantum computing, software that translate or invest, Fintech, new drugs, wearables, virtual reality, and fitness. Fintech will reduce the way we do banking with digital banking effectively reducing the number of bank branches.
Getting ready
At the outset I averred there is a looming threat and we need to be ready with knowledge. This is due to the disruption and displacement of the workforce which will be rendered redundant due to redundant skills and knowledge. This revolution would lead to greater inequality in labour across the entire economy. This will no doubt widen the gap between the haves and have-nots. We should wisely mitigate this threat by learning. A new knowledge-based workforce will emerge if we prepare wisely.
Companies used simple digitisation during the past 20 years which has to change. New supply side transformations will increase effectiveness of logistics and global supply chains. It will disrupt existing industry value chains, using global digital platforms for research, development, marketing, sales, and distribution, and oust well-established competitors. Corporates will require platforms joining demand and supply of their products and services to face the challenge.
Impact on government
The impact on government will implicate some threat of instability due to the incapacity of majority politicians and the bureaucracy to adapt technology and change. Governments have to enable citizens to engage with them on the new technology platforms while also gaining better control over the people by digital means. Systems adapted during the 3rd Industrial Revolution will change. Governments have to become more agile in governance like the private sector. Millennials will lead while the iGens have to be equipped with multidisciplinary knowledge, skills and the behaviours to be future ready. It is up to the baby boomer educators currently in control to think how this archaic system of education should change to meet the impending challenge.
(The writer wears many hats including Consultant (Senior Higher Education Specialist) – ADB Sri Lanka, Co-Chair STEM Committee – National Science Foundation (NSF) and Chairman, Technology Committee – NSF. He is also the Founder- Vice Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka.He can be reached at chandra.embuldeniya@gmail.com)