Role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Impact of ICT
Developments of ICT have provided exchanging of information anytime, anywhere, in the
digital format lend by computers. The technological convergence has brought an enormous
impact in everyday life. Such as use of ICT in communications, business, education,
scientific exploration, etc.
Technology Uses
• Education
• Government
• Military
• Retail
• Entertainment
• Health Care
• Science
• Travel
• Publishing
• Manufacturing
Health Concerns Using Technology

• A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an injury or disorder of the muscles, nerves,

tendons, ligaments, and joints
• Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a technology-related health condition that
affects eyesight
• Ergonomics is an applied science devoted to incorporating comfort, efficiency, and
safety into the design of items in the workplace
• Technology addiction occurs when the technology consumes someone’s entire
social life

A well-designed work
area should be flexible to
allow adjustments to the
height and build of
different individuals.
Information and communication technology (ICT)
Information and communication technologies are those technologies which enable society to
process, collect consolidate, communicate, manage, and process information in multimedia
and various digital formats for different purposes by using telecommunication techniques.
" ICT is the scientific, technological and engineering disciplines and the management
techniques used to handle, transmit information with men and machines “- UNESCO

Digital Divide
What is Digital Divide?
Digital divide is a term that refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have
access to modern ICT and those that don't or have restricted access. This technology can
include the telephone, television, personal computers, and the Internet.

The digital divides are often seen to exist along the following lines:

• Between rich and poor countries

• Between those in cities and those in rural areas
• Between males and females
• Between rich and poor individual
• Between physically challenged and without disability
• Between literates and illiterates
➢ Gender Divide, Universal Access Divide, Social Divide

Stages of digital divide:

• Economic Divide
• Usability Divide
• Empowerment Divide

Causes of digital divide:

• Education
• Income Levels
• Geographical Restrictions
• Motivation and General Interest
• Digital Literacy
 • Pros
• Increase profitability
• Help converse culture and keep societal fabric intact
• Phenomenon offers increased opportunities
• Cons
• Expensive affair
• Widen the segregation between people
• Impacts negatively on the economy

• Education
• Economy
• Social
• Society
• Culture

Effect in Education
• Lack of exploitation of full potential hence low performance
• Unfair competitive edge
• Enhanced convenience in learning
• A difference in the learning experience
• Decreased productivity among the poor

Bridge the digital divide

• Increase digital literacy
• Provide operational incentives to information and communication technology entities
• Develop relevant and local content in addition telecommunications infrastructure
• Encourage the establishment of cyber clubs
• Establishment of workable partnerships between all information and communication
technology stakeholders
• Promote innovations geared towards overcoming the digital divide
Solution to bridge digital divide:
• Increase affordability
• Empowering users
• Improve the relevance of online content
• Internet infrastructure development
• Address gender gap in internet access

Industry 4.0

Origins and History

Since the 1800s, we have experienced three industrial revolutions. Each was powered by a
disruptive new technology: the mechanics of the steam engine, the innovation of the
assembly line, and the speed of the computer. The reason they were called industrial
“revolutions” was because the innovation that drove them didn’t just improve productivity and
efficiency a little bit – it completely revolutionized how goods were produced and how work
was done.
What is Industry 4.0? Industry 4.0 is the realization of the digital transformation of the field,
delivering real-time decision making, enhanced productivity, flexibility, and agility according
to IBM. Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing the way companies manufacture, improve, and
distribute their products. Manufacturers are integrating new technologies, including Internet
of Things (IoT), cloud computing and analytics, and AI and machine learning into their
production facilities and throughout their operations.

A Short History of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution has four phases.

First Industrial Revolution

The 16th century saw advances in trade, financial methods, banking and navigation,
advances that were affected by epidemics, constant and long wars, and famines. From the
middle of the 18th century, Europe moved away from the rest of the world and began the
foundations of the future industrial society due to the development of
heavy industry and mining. The coalition of traders and farmers raised productivity, causing
a demographic explosion, the transition from a manual agricultural economy to a commercial
and industrial one, whose ideology was based on rationalism, reason, and scientific
innovation.
The First Industrial Revolution was a process that began in Britain in the 18th century, from
where it spread to other parts of the world. Although it was previously used by French
writers, the term Industrial Revolution was first popularized by English economic
historian Arnold Toynbee to describe Britain's economic development between 1760 and
1840. The development of modern Europe between 1780 and 1849 was an
unprecedented economic transformation that encompassed the early stages of the great
industrial revolution and an even more general expansion of commercial activity.
What was the First Industrial Revolution? It was a process full of transformations in the
production process of goods where the artisan workshops that had all the production
authority lost it due to the arrival of new technologies and machines.

Characteristics of the 1st IR

• Manual work is replaced by industrial factory
• The railroad was invented, and it was the revolution in means of transport.
• The steamboat was created that allowed the transportation of larger ships at higher
speed.
• Roads and canals were built to improve transportation.
• There were great technological changes that were the basis of industrial
production.
• There was private investment and massive production of goods.
• There was low cost in production thanks to machines.
• Low cost of labor.
• The new imperialism arose, which was based on economic conquest through the
sale of industrial products.
• Creation of the mechanized factory

Inventions during the 1st IR

• Steam engine
• Steam locomotive
• Steamboat
• Hargreaves Machine
• Hydraulic Loom
Second Industrial Revolution
The history of this revolution begins with the first phase
of industrialization of England and its extension to other countries such as Europe, USA,
and Japan, where it began a new cycle that lasted until the outbreak of World War I in 1914,
a period in which Britain lost its leadership to other powers.
The Second Industrial Revolution was another of the great and important advances in
technology and society. New innovations in the production of steel, oil and electricity led to
the introduction of automobiles and public airplanes. Historians have labeled the years 1870
to 1914 as the period of the Second Industrial Revolution. Many of the changes that
occurred during this period had to do with new products simply replacing the old ones.
What was the Second Industrial Revolution? It was the second phase of the Industrial
Revolution which involved a large number of changes and developments
in chemical, electrical, oil and steel industries. It was a time of change and progress that
increased global technology.

Characteristics of the 2nd IR

• Iron was replaced by steel in industry.
• Steam was replaced by electricity and petroleum products were used as an important
source of energy.
• Automatic machinery was introduced to manage and operate other machines.
• There were important changes in transportation and communications.
• Application of science to industry.
• New forms of capitalist organization were created: imperialism, mechanization, and
big industry.
• Electricity was discovered.
• Existing machines were automated.
• The airplane was invented.
• Darwin’s theory of the evolution of species emerged.

Inventions during the 2nd IR

There were many inventions that arose during the Second Industrial Revolution, among
them we can mention the following: the airplane, the telephone and telegraph,
the automobiles, and the light bulb.
Third Industrial Revolution
The third Industrial Revolution —or Digital Revolution— refers to the shift from mechanical
and analogue electronic technology to the digital electronics we use today. In the last four
decades, the use of digital computers has become commonplace, and the appearance of the
Internet connected the world.
If anything, the third Industrial Revolution is as extraordinary as it is normal. Firstly, it is part
of the inaccessible modernization and reinvention process that defines the human race.
Secondly, in the last two decades, information and communication technologies have taken
tremendous steps forward. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to imagine not having access
to an infinite information database, or a quick video call with a dear friend. We have
smartphones, houses, and cars. The third Industrial Revolution has essentially changed how
we behave, think, communicate, work, and earn our livelihoods. Let's see how this wave of
technological innovation has shaped the world as we live it today.

Characteristics of the 3rd IR

• Information Technology
• Search for Sustainable Energy

The creator of the concept of the Third Industrial Revolution was Jeremy Rifkin, an American
sociologist and economist. After him, other international organizations began to use the
term, such as the European Parliament in 2006.
According to Rifkin's theory this revolution began shortly after the end of the Second World
War. Unlike the First Industrial Revolution, which had its epicenter in Great Britain, this time
it was the United States, Western European countries and Japan that led the
transformations.
The Third Industrial Revolution is based on new discoveries produced in two fields:
information technology and the search for sustainable energy.

Inventions during the 3rd IR

To name a few of the inventions during the third IR:
Internet
Computers
Social Media
Smart phones
Digital TV
Digital Photography
Digital printing
Industry 4.0
The term Industry 4.0 encompasses a promise of a new industrial revolution—one that
marries advanced manufacturing techniques with the Internet of Things to create
manufacturing systems that are not only interconnected, but communicate, analyze, and use
information to drive further intelligent action back in the physical world.

We are now in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, aka Industry 4.0, which revolutionizes the
automation, monitoring, and analysis of supply chains through smart technology. Industry
4.0 is powered by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and cyber-physical systems – smart,
autonomous systems that use computer-based algorithms to monitor and control physical
things like machinery, robots, and vehicles. Industry 4.0 makes everything in your supply
chain “smart” – from smart manufacturing and factories to smart warehousing and logistics.
But Industry 4.0 doesn’t stop at the supply chain. It inter-connects with back-end systems,
like enterprise resource planning (ERP), to give companies an unprecedented level of
visibility and control. Ultimately, Industry 4.0 is a major part of any company’s digital
transformation.

Industry 4.0 Technologies is built on Nine Technologies

Industry 4.0 is built on nine technology pillars. These innovations bridge the physical and
digital worlds and make smart and autonomous systems possible. Businesses and supply
chains already use some of these advanced technologies, but the full potential of Industry
4.0 comes to life when they’re used together.

Big Data and AI Analytics

In Industry 4.0, Big Data is collected from a wide range of sources, from factory equipment
and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to ERP (Enterprise resource planning) and CRM
(Costumer Relation Management) systems, to weather and traffic apps. Analytics powered
by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are applied to the data in real time – and
insights are leveraged to improve decision-making and automation in every area of supply
chain management: supply chain planning, logistics management, manufacturing, R&D and
engineering, enterprise asset management (EAM), and procurement.
Horizontal and vertical integration
The backbone of Industry 4.0 is horizontal and vertical integration. With horizontal
integration, processes are tightly integrated at the “field level” – on the production floor,
across multiple production facilities, and across the entire supply chain. With vertical
integration, all the layers of an organization are tied together – and data flows freely from the
shop floor to the top floor and back down again. In other words, production is tightly
integrated with business processes like R&D, quality assurance, sales and marketing, and
other departments – and data and knowledge silos are a thing of the past.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the “great enabler” of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation. Today’s
cloud technology goes way beyond speed, scalability, storage, and cost efficiencies. It
provides the foundation for most advanced technologies – from AI and machine learning to
the Internet of Things – and gives businesses the means to innovate. The data that
fuels Industry 4.0 technologies resides in the cloud, and the cyber-physical systems at the
core of Industry 4.0 use the cloud to communicate and coordinate.
Augmented reality (AR)
Augmented reality, which overlays digital content on a real environment, is a core concept
of Industry 4.0. With an AR system, employees use smart glasses or mobile devices to
visualize real-time IoT data, digitized parts, repair or assembly instructions, training
content, and more when looking at a physical thing – like a piece of equipment or a
product. AR is still emerging but has major implications for maintenance, service, and quality
assurance as well as technician training and safety.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) – more specifically, the Industrial Internet of Things – is so
central to Industry 4.0 that the two terms are often used interchangeably. Most physical
things in Industry 4.0 – devices, robots, machinery, equipment, products – use sensors and
RFID tags to provide real-time data about their condition, performance, or location. This
technology lets companies run smoother supply chains, rapidly design and modify products,
prevent equipment downtime, stay on top of consumer preferences, track products and
inventory, and much more.
Additive manufacturing/3D printing
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is another key technology driving Industry 4.0. 3D
printing was initially used to as a rapid prototyping tool but now offers a broader range of
applications, from mass customization to distributed manufacturing. With 3D printing, for
example, parts and products can be stored as design files in virtual inventories and printed
on demand at the point of need – reducing both transportation distances and costs.
Autonomous robots
With Industry 4.0, a new generation of autonomous robots is emerging. Programmed to
perform tasks with minimal human intervention, autonomous robots vary greatly in size and
function, from inventory scanning drones to autonomous mobile robots for pick and place
operations. Equipped with cutting-edge software, AI, sensors, and machine vision, these
robots are capable of performing difficult and delicate tasks – and can recognize, analyze,
and act on information they receive from their surroundings.
Simulation/digital twins
A digital twin is a virtual simulation of a real-world machine, product, process, or
system based on IoT sensor data. This core component of Industry 4.0 allows businesses
to better understand, analyze, and improve the performance and maintenance of industrial
systems and products. An asset operator, for example, can use a digital twin to identify a
specific malfunctioning part, predict potential issues, and improve uptime.
Cybersecurity
With the increased connectivity and use of Big Data in Industry 4.0, effective cybersecurity is
paramount. By implementing a Zero Trust architecture and technologies like machine
learning and blockchain, companies can automate threat detection, prevention,
and response – and minimize the risk of data breaches and production delays across their
networks.

Benefits of Industry 4.0

• Intelligent Products
• Intelligent Factories
• Intelligent Assets
• Empowered People

Intelligent products
Develop connected, self-aware products that are capable of sharing information about their
health, location, usage level, storage conditions, and more. The data these smart products
share can help you improve everything from product quality and customer service to logistics
and R&D. They can also anticipate service needs, receive remote upgrades, and open the
door to new, service-based business models.
Intelligent factories
Run smart factories – highly digitized, largely autonomous facilities that take full advantage
of advanced technologies like Big Data, artificial intelligence, robotics, analytics, and the
IoT. Also called Factory 4.0, these plants are self-correcting, employ smart
manufacturing 4.0 processes, and make it possible to deliver customized products cost
efficiently and at scale.
Intelligent assets
Almost every physical asset deployed today has built-in sensors – which, when connected to
the IoT and analytics, are game changers for enterprise asset management. With intelligent
assets, technicians can monitor asset performance in real time, anticipate and prevent
downtime, employ dynamic and predictive maintenance, take advantage of digital twins,
and tightly integrate assets and business processes.
Empowered people
No matter how autonomous your systems get, you will always need people. Empower them
with technologies like AI and access to live sensor data – so they know what’s happening on
the shop floor and are ready to make quick decisions and handle issues as they spring
up. Wearable devices and augmented reality apps can also help them solve problems,
monitor their health, and keep them safe.

Companies are experiencing the benefits

There’s a broad portfolio of Industry 4.0 solutions in the market, helping thousands of
companies transform their digital supply chain – reinventing production, focusing on
customers, and connecting their entire organization.

Here are some benefits companies are experiencing:

• Radical improvements in productivity and automation
• Resiliency and agility no matter what the market or economy bring
• Confidence to explore new business models and seize opportunities quickly
• Green and sustainable solutions without sacrificing profitability
Radical improvements in productivity and automation: Businesses are making data-
driven decisions across their operations, improving forecast accuracy, supporting on-time
delivery, and building profit-optimized plans.
Resiliency and agility no matter what the market or economy bring: Companies are
shaping the future digital supply chain based on state-of-the-art planning.
Confidence to explore new business models and seize opportunities quickly: Thanks
to Industry 4.0 solutions, businesses are reducing costs, improving market efficiency, and
connecting supply chains by sea, land, and air.
Green and sustainable solutions without sacrificing profitability: Customers are
becoming more efficient and cost-effective by going digital – while meeting their
environmental objectives without compromising on other business goals, such as profitability
and scalability.

Conclusion
Producers as well as suppliers must work to adapt infrastructure and education as they
embrace the technologies of Industry 4.0. This is best addressed through a combined effort
involving government, industry associations, and businesses to achieve the following:
• Upgrade technological infrastructure, such as fixed- and mobile-broadband services.
Infrastructure must be rendered fast, secure, and reliable enough for companies to
depend on it for near real-time data.
• Adapt
school curricula, training, and university programs and strengthenentrepreneurial
approaches to increase the IT-related skills and innovation abilities of the workforce.
Industry 4.0 presents tremendous opportunities for innovative producers, system suppliers,
and entire regions. But, as with previous transformational developments, Industry 4.0 also
poses a severe threat to laggards. As business models, economics, and skill requirements
shift, we could well see major changes in top positions, at both the company and regional
levels.