CENTRE FOR THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Telangana and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have agreed to establish a Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Telangana) in Hyderabad.

1. C4IR is a global initiative by WEF to collaborate with various sectors to tackle challenges and opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

• 4IR refers to the integration of AI, robotics, IoT, blockchain, 3D printing, genetic engineering, and other technologies, blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological realms.
• Recent examples: A pacemaker with wireless sensors that will dissolve in the human body after completing its job was unveiled by the US researchers.

2. C4IR Telangana will be WEF's 19th centre globally and the 2^nd in India, following Maharashtra.
3. It will be the world's 1^st centre focusing on health tech and life sciences, acting as a 'Life Sciences Hot Spot' in Asia.
4. The not-for-profit, autonomous centre will lead in healthcare policy formulation and implementation.
5. It aims to promote technologies in genomics, personalized medicine, and healthcare manufacturing, emphasizing the intersection of life sciences and technology regionally and globally.
6. Leveraging (taking advantage) the state's strengths like talent pool and infrastructure, it will align with government industrial policies.

Other Industrial Revolutions:

1. First (1800s): Utilized water and steam power for mechanization, e.g., Steam engine.
2. Second (early 1900s): Employed electric power for mass production, e.g., Electricity.
3. Third (late 1900s): Used electronics & IT for production automation, e.g., Computer and Internet.

Concerns associated with 4IR

• • Automation and AI adoption in Industry 4.0 could lead to widespread job loss due to job displacement.
  • The interconnectedness of Industry 4.0 raises cybersecurity risks, threatening privacy for businesses and individuals.
  • Advanced AI and automation raise ethical concerns regarding accountability, bias, and transparency.
  • Disparities in digital infrastructure contribute to a digital divide and uneven economic growth across countries.

Status in India

1. India aims to become a global manufacturing hub, focusing on 3D printing, machine learning, data analytics, and IoT for industrial growth.
2. Initiatives like the Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, introduce smart railway coaches equipped with sensors for passenger comfort.
3. The Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub (SAMARTH) scheme, launched in May 2020, aims to raise awareness of 4IR technologies among stakeholders.
4. India announced several 4IR-driven projects, including Drone Shakti, to support start-ups facilitating drone services.
5. The Fourth Industrial Revolution for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Cancer Care model employs 4IR technologies for improved healthcare.
6. The pan-India 3D maps program launched in February 2022 by Genesys International aims to facilitate 4IR-based projects like driverless cars in smart cities.

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