Where do humans fit into Industry 4.0?

We're in the early stages of Industry 4.0

In the infancy of the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 4.0, we will need to keep up with technological advancements or be left behind

Two hundred and fifty years ago, in the mid 18th century, technologies previously unimaginable began to surface across the world. From manufacturing to farming, peoples’ lives were made a little easier.

This progress brought about a chain reaction of technological advancements, each one far more superior than the last. Hand tools made way for powered machines, which lead to specialisation and mass production. Now, as we find ourselves in the dawning of the fourth industrial revolution, what can we expect to see? And where do we fit into a fully automated system?

Where are we now?

In the early stages of Industry 4.0, we’ve seen real-world applications for fully formed systems, and tantalising glimpses of fledgling technologies.

Take driverless vehicles. What was once the stuff of sci-fi not so long ago now seems commonplace. Autonomous vehicles are on our roads. Businesses are already using them to improve their efficiency and save money. As we move towards global 5G connectivity, the advent of completely autonomous vehicles and infrastructure on our streets becomes even more of a reality. They’ve had their difficulties, and still have a long way to go, but the strides being made by automakers mean that science fiction is now science fact.



The integration of computers, robotics and automation into the workplace during the third industrial revolution is now being built upon even further. The automotive industry has looked to automation and robotics to complete dangerous or laborious tasks with precision and speed since the 1960s. Now, we move towards a future where automakers like Tesla plan for fully-automated, human-free factories.

The real driving force behind Industry 4.0, however, will be AI and machine learning.

Cognitive computing’s role cannot be understated. A network’s ability to communicate and learn from a data set will determine its ability to proliferate autonomously. A machine will be able to complete complex tasks and learn from its own work pattern, becoming more efficient. The potential is there for machines to tap into other machines, using IoT, to learn from those as well.

Eventually, given enough time and data, machines will reach the technological singularity, the point at which AI becomes super-intelligent and develops itself at an exponential rate. For the smart workplaces of tomorrow, this prospect could leave many disenfranchised, wondering where they fit into all of this.

Industry 4.0 - Can man and machine coexist?

Where do we fit into Industry 4.0?

It sounds almost dystopian, but runaway Artificial Super-Intelligence (ASI) doesn’t necessarily mean the end of humanity’s relationship to work as we know it. Some futurists and thinkers look at the utopia. The possibility of a workless and worker-less society, where humankind is able to tap into their innate human capabilities in order to restore humanity, leaving more time for socialising, art, family or charity.

However, some philosophers and industry commentators have been quick to warn us about the dangers of being superseded by AI.


“…from the perspective of human history, there has never been a time of greater promise or potential peril.”

Klaus Schwab


Yuval Noah Harari, the best-selling author of Sapiens and Homo Deus, is often critical of this unfolding industrial revolution. Harari warns of the creation of “the useless class”, a generation of people who have not been educated in the fields of AI, science and computing. He informs us that people will be left behind if our education system doesn’t change immediately. Those leaving education in twenty years, for example, will not be equipped to adapt to the drastically altered technological landscape, finding themselves without meaningful employment.

German engineer and economist, Klaus Schwab, is less pessimistic in his outlook, but still has reservations about the direction which we will ultimately take. In his book The Fourth Industrial Revolution, he writes that the “changes are so profound that, from the perspective of human history, there has never been a time of greater promise or potential peril.”

It can be argued that one way or another, we are facing a drastic change in the way we work. In the near future, both policy and education will have to keep up with these changes, to ensure future generations still have a part to play in society.

What’s next for Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 is still in its infancy. It is still evolving, and new systems and processes are being developed every day. The next step will see increased convergence coming into play. The overlapping of these technologies is vital for improvement and development. This means that IoT, cloud, AI and cognitive computing, will have a greater affinity – meaning greater efficiency.

The real question is, how will we adapt to Industry 4.0? Will we find a place amongst Artificial Super-Intelligence, or will we be left behind?

Luke Conrad

Technology & Marketing Enthusiast

Data-Sharing Done Right: Finding the Best Business Approach

Bart Koek • 20th November 2024

To ensure data is not only available, but also accessible to those that need it, businesses recognise that it is vital to focus on collecting, sorting and governing all the data in their organisation. But what happens when data also needs to be accessed and shared across the business? That is where organisations discover a...

Nova: The Ultimate AI-Powered Martech Solution for Boosting Sales, Marketing...

Erin Lanahan • 19th November 2024

Discover how Nova, the AI-powered engine behind Launched, revolutionises Martech by automating sales and marketing tasks, enhancing personalisation, and delivering unmatched ROI. With advanced intent data integration, revenue attribution, and real-time insights, Nova empowers businesses to scale, streamline operations, and outperform competitors like 6Sense and 11x.ai. Experience the future of Martech with Nova’s transformative AI...

How E-commerce Marketers Can Win Black Friday

Sue Azari • 11th November 2024

As new global eCommerce players expand their influence across both European and US markets, traditional brands are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape. These fast-growing Asian platforms have gained traction by offering ultra-low prices, rapid product turnarounds, heavy investment in paid user acquisition, and leveraging viral social media trends to create demand almost in real-time. This...

Why microgrids are big news

Craig Tropea • 31st October 2024

As the world continues its march towards a greener future, businesses, communities, and individuals alike are all increasingly turning towards renewable energy sources to power their operations. What is most interesting, though, is how many of them are taking the pro-active position of researching, selecting, and implementing their preferred solutions without the assistance of traditional...

Is automation the silver bullet for customer retention?

Carter Busse • 22nd October 2024

CX innovation has accelerated rapidly since 2020, as business and consumer expectations evolved dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, finding the best way to engage and respond to customers has become a top business priority and a key business challenge. Not only do customers expect the highest standard, but companies are prioritising superb CX to...

Automated Testing Tools and Their Impact on Software Quality

Natalia Yanchii • 09th October 2024

Test automation refers to using specialized software tools and frameworks to automate the execution of test cases, thereby reducing the time and effort required for manual testing. This approach ensures that automation tests run quickly and consistently, allowing development teams to identify and resolve defects more effectively. Test automation provides greater accuracy by eliminating human...