The World Economic Forum is underway in Davos. The global capital markets are off to one of their worst years ever, the threat of terrorism hangs over us, like the Sword of Damocles, GDP growth, except in a few countries, is not keeping pace with population growth.  

As 2500 rich, powerful, and famous (mostly) men meet in the Swiss resort, one cannot help but wonder if Ayn Rand’s Atlas is Shrugging? The movers and shakers have ensconced themselves during this, particularly turbulent time. Their instructions are not to address our current woes but to look for new ideas. One of the themes is the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Really, the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Isn’t this tantamount to a strike as Rand’s novel depicted? 

The Fourth Industrial Revolution offers a periodization of history based on the dominant technology. The first, according to Klaus Schwab, the Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, was mechanical production and steam, (a period apparently covering a few centuries). The second was mass production and electricity (late 19th century/ early 20th century).The third was electronics and information technology (the 1980s to present).The fourth is artificial intelligence.  

Our most pressing problems are not about technology. Artificial intelligence, no matter how capable, is not a substitute for human intelligence.The most pressing issues are not about technology but social relationships. How can one offer a periodization of history without people being at the center of it? 

Many who have picked up this meme make is seem as if the technology just develops on its own. Artificial intelligence is the next obvious stage that grows natural out of the digital revolution just as the IT naturally emerged from mass production and electricity. This ignores that technology does not emerge as cause sui (cause of itself), but is itself a product of a certain set of cultural values and social relationships. Artificial intelligence is one path, but others are possible. And even claiming that artificial intelligence is the fourth revolution reflects ideological assumptions.