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Introduction to the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Overview

The rapid development of AI solutions has led to an explosion of applications from the deeply technical, to everyday work tasks. There is hardly a field it does not touch, including engineering. AI is one of the key technologies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The other technologies straddle physical, digital, and biological fields and convergence of these fields are the foundation of many of the disruptive forces in every industry. Both your career and your company will face rapid disruption on many fronts as well, with competitors taking away revenue and opportunities (even from a different field).

Why Should an Individual Attend?

  • Gain Future-Ready Skills. Understand the core technologies driving 4IR, AI, IoT, big data, and cloud computing, and how they’re reshaping industries, including engineering and business operations.
  • Spot Disruption Before It Hits. Learn how the convergence of physical, digital, and biological technologies is creating new competitors and threats, even from outside your field, and how to stay ahead of them.
  • Unlock Career and Entrepreneurial Opportunities. Discover how 4IR technologies can open doors for personal growth, new roles, and innovative ventures in emerging markets and industries.
  • Drive Innovation in Your Workplace. Identify practical applications of AI and other 4IR tools to improve productivity, streamline operations, and spark innovation across departments.
  • Craft Smarter Business Strategies. Explore how to lead teams and shape company strategy using 4IR insights, especially in HR, supply chain, finance, and IT, to gain a competitive edge.
  • Understand the Ethical and Societal Impact. Analyze how 4IR technologies affect employment, social equity, and human interaction, and learn to navigate the challenges of cybersecurity and data privacy responsibly.

Outcomes

At the end of this course, the delegate should be able to:
  • Define and explain the core concepts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including its key technologies like AI, IoT, big data, cloud computing.
  • Identify opportunities for businesses to leverage 4IR technologies to improve efficiency, productivity, and innovation.
  • Assess the potential challenges and risks associated with adopting 4IR technologies, including cybersecurity, data privacy and job displacement.
  • Comprehend the convergence of 4IR technologies on how they how they interact and build upon each other to create new possibilities and challenges.
  • Analyse the ethical and societal implications of 4IR technologies, including the impact on employment, social inequality, and human interaction.

Program Outline

Understand the origins of technologies its implications on business and society and possible responses.

Session 1:

  • Introduction to industrial revolutions (using the transport industry as an example).
  • Why have the new technologies undergone such quick adoption and development?

Session 2:

  • Explain why 4IR is underpinned by technology.
  • Review the major technologies that contribute to the 4IR, with specific focus on AI in engineering.

Session 3:

  • General discussion on the impact of 4IR on government, business, and society as a whole.
  • Recognise the opportunities that the 4IR brings to your industry – especially in product development, supply chain and potential for growth for first movers.

Session 4:

  • How will the new technologies affect your ability to manage your teams or your company?
  • How to craft strategies to improve your business using 4IR.

Who Should Attend?

  • Engineers
  • Architects
  • Project / Construction Managers
  • Quantity Surveyors
  • Construction Health and Safety
  • Contractors / Sub Contractors
  • Executives / Senior Management
  • Middle Management
  • Administrators / Support Staff
Dates and Times:
  • Mon 15 April 2024  08:30 to 16:30
  • Mon 15 April 2024  08:30 to 16:30
Type: Online
Venue: Online,
Fee: R 3 454.00 excl. VAT
R 3 972.00 incl. VAT
Validation Number/s: CESA-2227-02/2027
ECSA CPD Points: 1.00
Coordinator: