The Fourth Industrial Revolution has seen the automation of traditional business and industrial practices driven by exponential data growth. This innovation has been accelerated by COVID-19 which has decisively changed the UK’s data economy.
The fourth consecutive Fourth Industrial Revolution Report, with data comprised from 250 UK data leaders, shows businesses have shifted focus, as pre-COVID data sets became outdated and the AI algorithms reliant on them created both new risks and opportunities. The research finds UK data leaders expected to deliver accurate and timely insights whilst constrained by budgets and skills pressures. The report highlights the renewed focus on data quality in a year when stories of algorithmic bias have grabbed the headlines.
This latest Fourth Industrial Revolution report sets out the challenges, which are stark. It also shines a light on the complex interrelation between data privacy, data governance and data ethics, with the UK’s stated aim to lead in this most vibrant of economies. Finally, this report showcases the innovation happening today and the wide range of exciting new roles for the data workers of tomorrow. Recruiting and developing these young professionals will retain this country’s status as a global technology leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
