5G as a Catalyst for a Wider Technological Fusion that Enables the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

In this work it is argued that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (I4.0) will be the result of a technology fusion between the following factors that define an economic epoch: a) The production systems and the type of tools these systems are employing; b) The communication technologies as well as the means used for information storage, processing, sensing and knowledge creation: the information and communication technologies (ICT); c) The energy generation and distribution systems used and d) The biotechnology. The thesis of this work is that ICT is the predominant factor in the context of I4.0. To justify this claim, the progress of the scientific fields from which this factor consists is elaborated and its impact on other factors is highlighted with emphasis on the societal impact. It is claimed that the eventual fusion of these factors will lead to a single technological continuum. The eventual fusion of all factors is made possible because they all exploit a common technological (hardware) framework while we are entering the era where we can regulate and superintend a vast amount of heterogeneous technologies via open software. In the context of I4.0, this results in a tremendous boost in productivity as it will allow a user to switch between different activities dynamically. Moreover, through this process a whole rank of middlemen is made redundant, cutting down costs and inefficiencies. Finally, one-click customisation will rationalise production, creating the conditions where overproduction will gradually die out, promoting the resilience of the economy. Therefore, ICT-enabled I4.0 will redefine the notions of ‘production’ and ‘work’, as it will allow us to overcome over-fragmentation in specialisation, while reshaping our cities, our personal lives and our relationship with science.