Public Policy Implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Singapore

Abstract

This policy report explores how the Fourth Industrial Revolution will impact Singapore in the years to come. Specifically, it attempts to identify what social, economic, political and security implications this profound shift will have for the city-state. It then discusses how Singapore can cope with this uncertain future. The Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to the convergence of a set of disruptive technologies that will transform the world in the coming decades. This assortment of novel technologies includes artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), 3D printing, drones and autonomous vehicles (AVs). While some of these technologies remain under development, the scientists, researchers and engineers working on them are on the verge of major breakthroughs so we may well see many of these technologies becoming a part of our daily lives in the not-too-distant future.