The Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution 

How the Fourth Industrial Revolution impacted nonprofits and ethical fashion.

Introduction

The World Economic Forum (WEF)’s 2016 theme is Industry 4.0 or the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Whereas the three previous industrial revolutions improved manufacturing, while still relying on human involvement, the fourth industrial revolution promoted the computerization of manufacturing so businesses could create intelligent networks along the entire value chain by connecting machines, work pieces, and systems. These changes affect everyone today, and the way this revolution affects nonprofits like BRAC and ethical fashion companies like Aarong is a little different.

The First Three Industrial Revolutions:

The first industrial revolution introduced mechanized production creating the factory system, increased the use of steam power, and improved waterpower efficiencies. Where things had been made slowly by hand and reliant on the power of animals, now speed, efficiency and scale are possible.

The second brought electric power, mass production, and mass distribution, which led to the production of iron and steel, the use of coal, and the introduction of railways, road systems, and the modern ship industry. The latter three were major players in advancing industry and society.

The third centered on the digitalization of technology through the introduction and sophistication of computers. This gave us the Internet, the quantified self, the arrival of Big Data, and the beginning of the Internet of Things (LoI).

Previous industrial revolutions advanced slowly, leaving entire regions of the world unaffected. Change now is fast and widespread, reaching everyone with access to a modem or WIFI signal and a digital device.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution:

WEF Founder Professor Klaus Schwab chose the concept of a fourth industrial revolution for this year’s meeting stating, “It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.”

By 2020, the fourth industrial revolution will bring advanced robotics and autonomous transport, artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced materials, biotechnology, and genomics. 4.0 is about machine self-awareness and self-productiveness, in addition to providing real-time data on factory statuses and near-zero downtime efficiencies. In contrast to 3.0, which was concerned with producing products at the lowest prices.

Technology has enabled Aarong to expand its reach globally it was founded by Ayesha Abed Martha Chen sponsored by BRAC and started in a remote village o Bangladesh. When the master tailor and other swing workers come out of the Sherpur Taaga workshop at the end of the day, the chief designer, marketing team, and distribution volunteers are marketing in New York. Digitally they can communicate, share updates, get photos, customer demand, and determine production schedules, pricing, and complaisance.

While Industry 4.0 represents a promising move towards optimal efficiencies, global consumers should not overlook the qualities that define us as uniquely human, such as consciousness, creativity, intuition, and emotion. The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Its Impact on Nonprofits and Ethical Fashion

The World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2016 focused on Industry 4.0 or the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Unlike its predecessors that enhanced manufacturing with human labor, this revolution emphasized computerized manufacturing. By linking machines, workpieces, and systems, businesses could establish intelligent networks across the value chain. This transformation affects various sectors today, with nonprofits like BRAC and ethical fashion companies like Aarong experiencing unique implications.

Digitalization & e-Commerce

The internet has propelled the eCommerce sector into a larger industry, creating job opportunities globally through new-generation occupations like drop shipping, affiliate marketing, and freelancing. These human-centric attributes are absent in robotic machinery. As society shifts towards a mindfulness evolution made feasible by the prevalence of social media and individual voices with global platforms, it is our duty as global citizens to wield our consumer power in deciding whether we want our economy to progress further towards efficient mass production or towards a more collaborative and conscious economy. Technology has empowered Aarong to expand globally. Founded by Ayesha Abed and Martha Chen, and sponsored by BRAC, it began in a remote village of Bangladesh. At the end of the day, while the master tailor and other workers leave the Sherpur Taaga workshop, the chief designer, marketing team, and distribution volunteers are marketing in New York City. Digitally, they communicate, share updates, photos, customer demands, and determine production schedules, pricing, and compliance.

ICT Networking

The third industrial revolution allowed Aarong to establish an online presence and sell products to an international market of consumers interested in supporting a local business that fairly compensates its workers. The challenge now, with the fourth industrial revolution, is to ensure that the digitization of production benefits workers and consumers worldwide. While Industry 4.0 is a promising step towards efficiency, global consumers must not overlook the qualities that make us uniquely human, such as consciousness, creativity, and intuition.

The internet has boosted the eCommerce industry, creating job opportunities globally in new-generation occupations like drop shipping, affiliate marketing, and freelancing. These traits are not present in robotic machinery and are not affected by AI factors. As society transitions to a mindfulness evolution facilitated by social media and individual voices on global platforms, it is our duty as global citizens to use our consumer power to decide whether we want our economy to move toward efficient mass production or toward a more collaborative and conscious economy.