Experts say we are now experiencing a Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as 4IR. The Fourth Revolution differs significantly from the third in the fact that it has revolutionized many of our previous ‘norms’ and has changed the way many of us now function day to day. It is developing at a more rapid pace than other revolutions and has dramatically altered our economy. One such example is in the workplace, where artificial intelligence, or AI, is now often used in place of humans, equating to a faster pace of work which is often done to a higher standard. As well as the economy, it has changed the healthcare system by reducing human error, and using advanced technologies to predict conditions or illnesses, lengthening many people’s lives.

However, the revolution has not come without its downsides. By using robotics or automated systems, companies may be required to cut their workforce, leading to higher unemployment levels worldwide. Many people would have to retrain in order to enter a new sector which again may be harmed by the continual and rapid development of technology. We could all experience a severe lack of privacy, and unconsciously allow access to our data which may, one day, be used against us in a detrimental way. Although technology is developed by humans, what happens when the devices become more intelligent than us?