THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR)

THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR)

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Global Overview

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed industries, social behaviour, and global business operations through rapid innovation and the convergence of physical and digital worlds. Key advancements such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D printing have reshaped economic landscapes.

 

Data, often referred to as the “new oil,” powers the 4IR. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), 4IR technologies could contribute up to $3.7 trillion annually to the global economy by 2025, driven by automation, smart systems, and digital transformation. The introduction of generative AI, like ChatGPT in November 2022, marked a major milestone, achieving 100 million users in just two months.

 

National Overview

South Africa has embraced the 4IR by implementing strategic policies and institutional frameworks. The Presidential Commission on 4IR developed a national roadmap to harness these technologies to address economic and social challenges. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) leads these initiatives, supporting projects like the proposed Lanseria Smart City, aimed at creating tech-driven urban centres.

 

The country’s 4IR startup ecosystem is thriving, with innovative companies such as:

  • Aerobotics: Offering AI-powered pest and disease detection through drone imagery.
  • Envisionit Deep AI: Streamlining medical imaging diagnostics using AI.

 

KwaZulu-Natal Overview

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is positioning itself as a leader in the 4IR space through targeted initiatives:

  • 4IR Commission: Established by the Premier in 2023 to create an integrated provincial 4IR strategy aimed at boosting competitiveness in key economic sectors.
  • Smart Cities: Plans for tech-enabled urban centres like the proposed Mandeni Smart City are in development.
  • Innovation Hubs: The Moses Kotane Institute is establishing hubs across the province to reduce the digital divide and promote digital literacy.
  • Annual Innovation Events: Innovate Durban hosts events like the Innovation Summit and hackathons to encourage students and entrepreneurs to engage with 4IR technologies.
  • Tech Startups:
    • Cattlewatch: Uses AI, GPS, and satellite tracking to monitor livestock health and movement.
    • Collaboration between UKZN’s Computer Science Division and SmartXchange provides workshops on machine learning and AI to solve industry challenges.

 

Data Centres and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)

KZN is emerging as a data centre hub, attracting global players like:

  • Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)
  • Teraco
  • Open Access Data Centres

These investments enhance the province’s long-term 4IR sustainability. Additionally, KZN’s rapidly growing BPO sector complements AI-driven technologies, particularly in natural language processing for multilingual communication.

 

By embracing 4IR innovations, KwaZulu-Natal is creating a future-ready economy, offering a wealth of opportunities for investors in emerging technologies, data infrastructure, and smart solutions