Impact report January 2024Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network 2022-20232Preface 03The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network 041 Shaping responsible AI policies 072 Safeguarding food systems 113 Accelerating smart manufacturing 144 Building healthy and inclusive societies 165 Supporting small businesses 206 Protecting the environment 227 Educating and upskilling populations 248 Fostering partnerships and communities 25Meet the Fourth Industrial Revolution Centres 29Contributors 38Endnotes 43Image source: Getty ImagesContents Use the magnifying glass found within the text to navigate to a specific case study.3In a dynamic and complex world, technology is a powerful force that drives progress, transformation and innovation. Recognizing this, the World Economic Forum opened its first Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in San Francisco in 2017, shortly followed by centres in Japan and India, forming the start of a much-needed global network to better understand and shape technological change. As the network grew to 19 centres spread across five continents, so did measurable progress towards the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s mission of helping stakeholders harness the full potential of technological progress for the equitable and human-centred transformation of industries, economies and societies. It is within this context that the first Annual Impact Report of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network is presented, celebrating the accomplishments of centres in the network from Q4 2022 to Q3 2023. From boosting food production in Colombia to protecting health data in Serbia, accelerating “smart” manufacturing in Saudi Arabia to shaping artificial intelligence (AI) policy in Rwanda, it is clear that the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network’s commitment to responsible technology adoption is having a profound and positive impact on the world. The stories within this report are just a glimpse of what is possible when the global community comes together to harness the power of technology for the greater good.This journey continues into the year ahead, where strengthened collaboration with existing centres and expansion into new regions will deliver even more impact. Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution to address pressing challenges and seize its incredible opportunities is a collective effort. Thank you to all who have joined in this transformative journey.PrefaceIn just six years, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network grew to 19 centres across five continents, with measurable impact at local and global levels.4The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution NetworkCentre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution South AfricaIoT for SMEsFood systems, manufacturing,IoT for SMEsCentre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi ArabiaCentre for the Fourth Industrial Revol...
