How will our society change with the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

Following the First Industrial Revolution of production and transportation machinery, the Second Industrial Revolution of mass production of electricity, and the Third Industrial Revolution of electronics, communications, and computers, humans are now facing the Fourth Industrial Revolution of software and artificial intelligence.

So, when and how will the Fourth Industrial Revolution arrive? I would like to explain the changes brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution using the terms "tipping point" and "Bigbang Disruption."

A dramatic moment of sudden change, the tipping point

First, there is the concept of a tipping point. It refers to a dramatic moment when a situation, which has been progressing insignificantly, suddenly breaks the balance and everything changes in an instant. In other words, a tipping point is the dramatic moment when an unpopular event becomes a catalyst for explosive popularity.

According to Klaus Schwab’s *The Fourth Industrial Revolution*, we can predict the tipping points of key technologies that have recently emerged. For the Internet of Things (IoT), which has been a hot topic in recent years, the point in 2022 when one trillion sensors are connected to the internet can be considered the tipping point. For example, the UK NHS is collaborating with HP to develop wearable sensors and IoT devices, and is conducting a digital diabetes coach testbed project. The UK NHS is also carrying out a pilot project to install IoT devices in the homes of dementia patients for monitoring.


Innovations that create new markets and break the existing order, such as autonomous vehicles and fintech, are called Big Bang Disruption. Please refer to the Hyundai Motor Company blog image for the photo.

The tipping point for wearable technology is also set for 2022, when 10% of the world's population uses wearable devices. In the fashion industry, the applications of wearable devices are expanding as various global companies are currently developing or launching smart clothing that measures heart rate, respiration, electromyography, and more.

With the commercialization of the first implantable mobile phone in 2023, the tipping point for implantation technology is fast approaching. In the case of implantable contraceptives, projects are underway for devices operated by external remote control, and capsule-type obesity monitoring devices are also being developed to monitor fat levels in obese patients and generate substances that induce a sensation of fullness. It appears that a tipping point for new visual interfaces will occur in 2023 as 10% of eyeglasses become connected to the internet. Using the well-known Google Glass, it will become easier to instantly check patient information during surgery.

What will happen in 2023 when 90% of the world's people use smartphones? When the era of carrying a small supercomputer in your pocket arrives, it seems likely that healthcare call centers, free emergency phone services, emergency situations, and mobile telemedicine will become much more commonplace. By 2024, the tipping point for the connected home will be reached as household devices account for more than 50% of in-home internet traffic. This will make in-home monitoring of dementia patients easier.

The tipping point for artificial intelligence and decision-making is predicted to be 2026. At this time, AI will join corporate boards and make decisions on critical corporate matters. Cancer treatment plans will be established using IBM Watson, and cancer diagnosis will also become possible. If robotic pharmacists appear in the U.S. in 2021, it seems likely to mark a new turning point for service robots. Various robots used in pharmaceuticals have been developed and released, and in Japan, robots for elderly care are also being developed.

The tipping point for 3D printing will be reached in 2024, when a 3D-printed liver is transplanted. By then, it appears that various 3D printing technologies will be utilized for purposes such as replacing human bone tissue and performing simulated surgeries.

Big Bang Disruption, where collapse and creation occur simultaneously

Now, let's look at Big Bang Disruption. Big Bang Disruption refers to innovation that goes beyond merely improving existing products or services to creating new markets, such as autonomous vehicles and fintech, and breaking the existing order. It is said to have been coined by American management expert Larry Downes, and the theory posits that when Big Bang Disruption occurs, collapse and creation take place simultaneously, significantly shortening the lifespan of companies and products, while rapid adaptation and innovation have a major impact on a company's survival and growth.

For example, the "Big Bang Disruption" of wearables corresponds to the mid-growth phase of the growth curve in 2016, and it is projected to enter the maturity phase by 2023. This coincides with the tipping point of wearables. The "Big Bang Disruption" of smart cities is expected to enter the maturity phase in 2016, while smart homes are projected to reach maturity in 2020. Furthermore, the Internet of Things (IoT) will not enter maturity until 2028, and the expected maturity date for the cloud is 2021.

As such, events unfolding over the next 10 or 20 years will bring significant changes to our daily lives. Accordingly, this is a time when a shift in our attitude is urgently needed as we face the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This means that quick judgment is required regarding where our industries should focus and how to do so. We must prepare for future technologies by focusing on securing patents in application fields centered on foundational technologies and infrastructure where Korea has a competitive edge, rather than on source technologies; furthermore, there must be a clear division of roles where large corporations lead infrastructure and application fields, while small and medium-sized enterprises lead sensors, devices, and application fields.

Of course, the tipping point and the Big Bang disruption are merely predictions and forecasts. For some sectors, they may arrive earlier than predicted, while for others, they may arrive later. After all, no one knows the future. In this regard, we must not forget that even in an era of transformation that arrives 'suddenly' and 'in an instant,' we can realize results and reap rewards to the extent that we are prepared.