Data, the Driving Force of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
The new technological advancements in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) are altering the way people live, work, and interact with one another. Since the technologies of the 4IR are highly dependent on data, including big data, it is important to formulate strong policies to facilitate the sharing and protection of data. Another major requirement is to ensure that necessary infrastructure, especially access to the internet, is in place, so that the benefits of the 4IR can be enjoyed by all.
Farm Smart! Developing Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Sector in the 4IR
Rapid population growth has put tremendous pressure on the world’s agricultural systems to provide safe and nutritious food to all. Unfortunately, productivity growth has been hampered by land and water resources degradation and climate change. As it stands, emerging technologies of the 4IR can overcome the structural weaknesses of the current food systems and deliver more productive, competitive, and sustainable outcomes. This blog examines the ways in which such technologies can revolutionise the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka.
South Asia’s Trajectory through Innovations and Disruptions in the 4IR
The primary issue that arose at the plenary on ‘Promoting Innovation and Disruption in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)’, at the 12th South Asia Economic Summit (SAES XII), organised by the IPS, was the role of disruption in the status quo. The panel deliberated on whether governments and corporations should embrace and utilise disruption despite its drawbacks, or regulate extensively to curb it.
Policies Pave the Way for Sri Lanka’s Economic Transformation Through Technology
IPS’ New Thinkers’ Symposium saw discussions at the Policy Hub focus on some of recent government initiatives aimed at creating an enabling environment for economic transformation in Sri Lanka through technology and innovation under the Symposium’s overall theme of Technology and Economic Transformation.
Technology and Economic Transformation: Is Sri Lanka Prepared to Ride the 4IR Wave?
Sri Lanka boasts of a relatively high literacy rate of 92 per cent amongst its population. However, its computer literacy rate is a meagre 27.5 per cent. In the context of the of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), if Sri Lanka is to circumvent the middle income trap and achieve high income status, its economic transformation has to be driven by technology and innovation. This blog briefly discusses some salient points on this matter, with a particular focus on those highlighted at IPS’ New Thinkers’ Symposium.
Demystifying Hawala/Undiyal – The Not So Dismal Science:[…] believed that informal fund transfer operations in Sri Lanka have expanded considerably due to the wide gap between the…