Industrial revolutions have shaped the contours of wealth and power over the past 200 years. ROW believes we are on the brink of unprecedented transformation — what the World Economic Forum calls the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Several advanced technologies are driving this transformation, including but not limited to artificial intelligence, 3D printing (and digital fabrication writ large), the internet of things, blockchain, brain-computer interface, robotics, and virtual/augmented reality. We are particularly interested in two trends that are manifesting in this new industrial revolution:
Merging of the digital and the physical worlds
WHAT IT IS :
Transformation of digital designs into physical objects with advanced manufacturing tools, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and computer-numerically controlled machines.
What it will do :
Enable distributed manufacturing – there is great potential to reduce humanitarian logistics costs through local production and to dramatically reduce lead time.
Democratization of production
WHAT IT IS :
Ever-increasing accessibility of the means of production.
What it will do :
Strengthen self-reliance by providing affected communities with advanced manufacturing tools, training, raw materials, and access to international experts.
Besides reducing costs and driving efficiency, technological advances over the coming decades could allow us to shape new models of economic organization. We believe closed, centralized, top-down industry structures will continue to be disrupted by open, distributed, peer-to-peer forms of production. With the right partnerships, investments, and vision, there are opportunities here to forge inclusive development strategies for those affected by fragility and conflict. Opportunities to unleash innovation and entrepreneurship by a broader range of socioeconomic groups, thus reducing unemployment and inequality. Opportunities, we believe, to facilitate self-reliance, creative expression, and the pursuit of purpose and identity.