Will Industry 4.0 enlarge or reduce one of our most heart-rending issues?

The first industrial revolution introduced us to steam and the first machines that mechanized some of the work our ancestors did. The second industrial revolution presented electricity, the assembly line and the birth of mass production.  The third era of industry launched the arrival of computers and the beginnings of automation, when robots and machines began to replace human workers (Marr, 2016).

Presently the fourth industrial revolution takes the automation of manufacturing processes to a whole new level by introducing customized and flexible mass production technologies. This means that machines will operate independently, or cooperate with humans in creating a customer-oriented production field that constantly works on maintaining itself. The machine becomes an independent body that is able to collect data, analyze it, and advise upon it. This becomes possible by introducing self-optimization, self-cognition, and self-customization into the industry. Manufacturers will be able to communicate with computers rather than operate them.  The main idea behind Industry 4.0 is to create a social network where machines can communicate with each other (Internet of Things) and with people (Internet of People) (Martin, 2017). 

We all want to prepare and strive too live in a better future, unlike the past, but with all these amazing changes taking place, what does it mean for poverty as societal divide?

According to Toyama (2010:4) the consequence for anyone expecting to save the world with technology is that you can’t . . . at least, not unless the technology is applied where human intent and capacity are already present, or unless you are willing also to invest heavily in developing human capability and institutions. If there is a foundation of competent, well intentioned people, then the appropriate technology can amplify their capacity and lead to amazing achievements. But with negative human intent, as in the case of corrupt government bureaucrats, or minimal capacity, as in the case of people who have been denied a basic education, no amount of technology will turn things around.

We live in a world where it is easier to spread technology than to effect extensive change in social attitudes and human capacity. In other words, it is much less painful to purchase a hundred thousand PCs than to provide a real education for a hundred thousand children and it is easier to run a text-messaging health hotline than to convince people to boil water before ingesting it (Toyama, 2010:5).

According to Martin (2017) Industry 4.0 clearly has a lot to promise when it comes to revenues, investment, and technological advancements, but employment still remains one of the most mysterious aspects of the new industrial revolution. It’s even harder to estimate the potential employment rates. 

What will the policy implications be?

Ijeoma (2008:101 & 102) states that “Policy refers to a higher, more general strategic level of plans and actions. Policy nowadays refers to any higher-level decisions or orientation of a group, organisation, or even an individual”. It also refers to “government intentions designed to deal with various social challenges, such as those related to foreign policy, environmental protection, crime, unemployment, and numerous other problems”.

It will mean that the government will need much more Capital to be able to implement new policies. They will also have a major security risk which means that they need more secure systems. Policy makers will need to improve their skills in order to stay employed (Martin, 2017). The big dark side to the internet is that most people can hack the system and find things that they are not supposed to. 

While our world is rapidly changing and becoming more effortless the big "digital divide" in our society still remains. In other words, industry 4.0 is much more beneficial to the elites. The gap just gets bigger and bigger. To reduce poverty will get more complex and laborious. Policy makers need to be on their A-game now that the world is getting much "easier" for some and tougher to the rest. It also means that policies should change or may be improved. This is where the Policy Analysis phase plays a massive role. Once that succeeds they are a step closer into creating Beauty in their Chaos...

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References

Ijeoma, E.O.C. 2008. Globalisation and reflective policy-making in South Africa. Journal of Public Administration, 43(3.1) http://www.jpad_v43_n3_si1_a9.pdf  Date of access; 3 Mar. 2017

Marr. B. 2016. What Everyone Must Know About Industry 4.0 https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2016/06/20/what-everyone-must-know-about-industry-4-0/#3d720662795f Date of access: 18 Apr. 2017

Martin. 2017. Industry 4.0: Definition, Design, Principles, Challenges, and the Future of Employment https://www.cleverism.com/industry-4-0/ Date of access: 18 Apr. 2017

Toyama, K. 2010. Can technology end Poverty? http://cs.bennington.edu/courses/f2013/cs2108.01/05Can%20Technology%20End%20Poverty_%20_%20Boston%20Review.pdf Date of access: 18 Apr. 2017