Page 97 - The Fourth Industrial Revolution

This book, however, is not the place to engage in a lengthy reflection about

the meaning of privacy or to respond to questions about data ownership. I
fully expect, however, that a debate about many fundamental issues such as
the impact on our inner lives, stemming from the loss of control over our
data, will only intensify in the years ahead (see Box I: Wellness and the

Bounds of Privacy).

These issues are incredibly complex. We are just starting to get a sense of

their possible psychological, moral and social implications. On a personal
level, I foresee the following problem related to privacy: When one’s life
becomes fully transparent and when indiscretions big or small become

knowable to all, who will have the courage to assume top leadership
responsibilities?

The fourth industrial revolution renders technology an all-pervasive and
predominant part of our individual lives, and yet we are only just starting to
understand how this technological sea-change will affect our inner selves.
Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each of us to guarantee we are served, not
enslaved, by technology. At a collective level, we must also ensure that the

challenges technology throws at us are properly understood and analysed.
Only in this way can we be certain that the fourth industrial revolution will
enhance, rather than damage, our wellbeing.

Box I: Wellness and the Bounds of Privacy

What is currently happening with wearable wellness devices provides a
sense of the complexity of the privacy issue. An increasing number of
insurance companies are considering making this offer to their

policyholders: If you wear a device that monitors your wellness – how
much you sleep and exercise, the number of steps you take each day, the
number and type of calories you eat, etc. – and if you agree that this
information can be sent to your health insurance provider, we will offer you
a discount on your premium.

Is this a development we should welcome because it motivates us to live

healthier lives? Or is it a worrisome move towards a way of life where
surveillance – from government and companies alike – becomes ever more

97