Haven’t we been here before? A critical analysis of the fourth industrial revolution

Godwin Kaisara, Admire Mare, Clayton Peel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Expectations of a ‘new’ technological era in which work and domestic spaces would be characterized by automation and robotization on a bigger scale than previously known has been periodized as marking the birth of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The dominant narrative about this revolutionary moment has promoted the benefits and inevitability of this highly technologized epoch. While in the global north some of these technological disruptions have already occurred, the picture of what this means for the global south is less certain. Because of the unfulfilled promises of earlier revolutionary processes, sceptics have been quick to shed light on the structural factors, which might forestall the benefits from trickling down to all and sundry in the global south. Others have raised serious concerns about the possible continuation of the unequal spread of change that has characterized earlier revolutions and appropriations of advanced technologies. A classic example relates to the so-called ‘e-commerce revolution’, which was supposed to usher in an online universe where buyers, sellers, regulators and intermediaries would be interlinked to execute their transactions from all corners of the globe. Just like the techno-enthusiasts and their digital sublime predictions of the revolutionary features of the 4IR, ecommerce proponents point to an online transaction system that already is vibrant, global, and convenient for significant sectors. But who has been left behind? And what of those for whom this disruption means nothing but a loss of income and a redundancy of their skills? Is the planning for this supposedly ‘new epoch’ sufficiently inclusive of a broad church of stakeholders, so that the new transitions are anthropocentric, sensitive to global diversities, and ensure that no communities are left behind? This article is motivated by the sheer desire to critique some of the taken-for-granted assumptions of the 4IR, and adopts what we call a ‘technological-realist standpoint’. It steers the debate away from technological solutionist claims towards the appreciation of the complex interactions between society and technology. It cautions against the reproduction of social and economic inequalities, urging that the dividends of the so-called ‘revolution’ be shared equally so that no one is left behind, as articulated by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SGS).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2021 Conference on Information Communications Technology and Society, ICTAS 2021 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages67-72
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781728180809
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021
Externally publishedYes
Event5th International Conference on Information Communications Technology and Society, ICTAS 2021 - Virtual, Durban, South Africa
Duration: 10 Mar 202111 Mar 2021

Publication series

Name2021 Conference on Information Communications Technology and Society, ICTAS 2021 - Proceedings

Conference

Conference5th International Conference on Information Communications Technology and Society, ICTAS 2021
Country/TerritorySouth Africa
CityVirtual, Durban
Period10/03/2111/03/21

Keywords

  • Africa
  • And complexity
  • And relate to one another. In its scale
  • But one thing is clear: the response to it must be
  • Fourth Industrial Revolution
  • Global South
  • Preparedness
  • Readiness
  • Scope
  • Social Shaping of Technology
  • Technological Determinism
  • Technological Hype
  • The transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before. We do not yet know just how it will unfold
  • Work
  • “We stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Information Systems and Management
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Communication

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Haven’t we been here before? A critical analysis of the fourth industrial revolution'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this