Many influential international political, economic, and cultural leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland for four days from January 20, 2016 to discuss the main agenda of the 2016 Davos Forum, “Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” The Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab who led the forum explained why the full understanding of the fourth industrial revolution is important, stressing that we are now going through what we had never experienced before in a completely new way. Of course, the fourth industrial revolution is not the only unprecedented radical revolution we have undergone. The first industrial revolution that dramatically brought about the mechanical process of mass production by the invention of steam machines, and the second industrial revolution that established fully utilized electrical energy the global capitalism built on mass production and consumption were the unprecedented revolutions. So was the third industrial revolution, which enabled the automated production system lead by digital information technology. Then, in what ways is the fourth industrial revolution a totally new unprecedented revolution that distinguishes it from previous revolutions?
  In a column titled “Challenges and Opportunities for the fourth industrial revolution,” Schwab notes that “compared to the previous industrial revolutions, the fourth industrial revolution is characterized by strikingly radical changes that take place on a daily basis.” The reason why Schwab and many other experts collectively anticipate the most profound economic and social system innovations led by the fourth industrial revolution is that there is a huge shift in the overall effectiveness of economic structures and social systems. In particular, the Internet, which is equipped with Artificial Intelligence can efficiently collect, analyze and communicate large amounts of data and thus enables the exchange of information between objects so as to not only meet the need of customers but also maximize their respective satisfaction and pleasure. Indeed, Internet of Things is already providing customers with necessary information and knowledge before they want them. As a result, the existing economic theory and system of production, consumption, circulation and distribution are expected to be reformed in a new way. The fourth industrial revolution will pave a new way of economic life in which each individual can be baptized by the god of Artificial Intelligence that always promises the best choice and satisfaction for their better future.
  However, can we just believe that we all are going to be increasingly happier with no concerns? For example, automotive navigation system never fails to analyze real-time traffic information and inform each driver of the most time-saving way to get to the destination and the exactly estimated time of arrival. As a consequence, now no driver would like to try to take a new road instead of being enslaved into the automatic system of navigation services. We only follow the instructions and orders of the convenient service, without thinking or hoping in a subjective way. As the fourth industrial revolution is going to result in depriving us of our own subjectivity and thereby blurring the boundaries between human beings and machines, we should be always aware of the possible dangers of such radical automation and its side-effect. Without this awareness, the fourth industrial revolution will be our master. To master it, we should protect and preserve our own domain where each of us can keep leading an individual subjective way of life.