THE industrial revolution stands as the most significant turning point in human history since the domestication of animals and plants. The first industrial revolution, spanning from 1760 to 1840, began in Great Britain, which emerged as its harbinger. This period marked the introduction of mechanical textile production, the steam engine, and the factory system across various industries. The revolution quickly spread to Western Europe and the United States, fundamentally reshaping the global economy.
Europe experienced a distinctive pattern of economic growth, generating surplus wealth that spurred colonial expansion across the world. At home, however, mechanised production in textile and agriculture displaced large sections of the workforce. These displaced workers, known as the 鈥楲uddites鈥�, responded through organised resistance, famously destroying machines during clandestine raids. Yet, despite their efforts, technological change proved unstoppable. The revolution endured, propelling unprecedented economic expansion across Europe.
Historians generally agree that the First Industrial Revolution concluded by the mid-19th century, marked by a temporary decline in innovation. It was followed by the second industrial revolution, also known as the technological revolution, in the 1870s. This was a transformative era characterised by rapid scientific discovery, standardisation, mass production and industrialisation. With increased food production came significant population growth, while advances in agriculture ensured that rising populations could be sustained.
This period also witnessed the power of human initiative and collaboration, alongside the rise of democratic ideals. Many monarchies transitioned towards democratic forms of governance. European nations pioneered collective ventures such as the European Coal and Steel Industry, telecommunication networks, and postal services. Such collaborations laid the groundwork for broader political alliances, including the formation of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Meanwhile, the concept of 鈥榞lobal governance鈥� gained traction, culminating in the creation of the League of Nations as an early international platform.
The third industrial revolution emerged in the mid-20th century and extended into the early 21st century. It was fuelled by the invention of the transistor, the optical amplifier, and the computer between 1950 and 1990. The world transitioned from analogue to digital technologies, ushering in the Information Age. By the 1990s, music, cinematography, and communications had shifted to digital formats, and businesses began using computers to automate previously manual tasks.
Led by the United States, this digital revolution drove extraordinary economic growth, job creation, and rapid urbanisation. Digital technologies reshaped daily life and birthed entirely new industries. Yet this progress came at a cost: mass urbanisation displaced rural populations, while technological expansion contributed to a new and urgent global challenge, climate change.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is currently underway, driven by the internet and advanced technologies such as machine learning, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Also known as Industry 4.0, this revolution represents a decisive shift towards automation and interconnected systems, ranging from the Internet of Things (IoT) to cognitive and artificial general intelligence (AGI).
This wave of innovation has created a 鈥榙igital economy鈥� with technologies and services previously unimaginable. Ride-sharing companies such as Uber have transformed transportation, while algorithms on platforms like YouTube curate our entertainment. Smart appliances remind us to shop; wearable devices track our health. Machines are increasingly able to perform routine tasks, and the near future may see robots driving vehicles, assisting doctors, and even becoming digital companions.
However, just as the Luddites faced displacement three centuries ago, modern societies confront a similar challenge. AI and artificial general intelligence are expected to replace vast swathes of the workforce, including doctors, drivers, technicians, clerks and teachers. According to the Pew Research Centre, by 2040 nearly 47 per cent of jobs worldwide could be automated. How we respond to this challenge will shape our collective future.
History shows that humans have consistently adapted to disruptive change. While machines excel at routine tasks, humans retain an edge in creative and empathetic fields; caring, teaching, mentoring, storytelling and other nuanced professions. To navigate the fourth industrial revolution, societies must revalue these roles, many of which have historically been undervalued. Some Nordic countries have introduced universal basic income to cushion citizens from job displacement.
At the same time, technological change threatens to deepen wealth inequality by creating new tech elites while displacing millions. In response, some governments are considering higher taxes on the wealthy to support those affected by technological unemployment. Ultimately, individuals will need to continuously acquire new skills to adapt to the demands of a transformed labour market.
The industrial revolutions have each reshaped human civilisation; economically, socially and politically. As the fourth industrial revolution accelerates, the challenge is not merely to survive but to shape it in ways that ensure inclusive prosperity.
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Tanvir Hossain is a research coordinator at Osmani Centre for Peace and Security Studies.
