# Implications of the Fourth Industrial Age on Higher Education

**Authors:** Bo Xing, Tshilidzi Marwala  
**arXiv:** [1703.09643](https://arxiv.org/abs/1703.09643)  
**Date:** 2017-03-17  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/arxiv-id/1703.09643v1/

## Key points

- Higher education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HE 4.0) has the potential to transform society for the better
- HE 4.0 is driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and shifts the focus of the workplace to human-centered characteristics
- The convergence of man and machine in HE 4.0 bridges disciplinary gaps between humanities, social sciences, science, and technology
- Interdisciplinary teaching, research, and innovation will be crucial in HE 4.0
- Universities must adapt to HE 4.0 by embracing interdisciplinary approaches to education and research
- HE 4.0 requires universities to prioritize interdisciplinary teaching methods that prepare students for a changing job market driven by AI technologies
- Advancements in AI technologies will transform research practices within universities, providing access to vast amounts of data for innovative research across disciplines
- Service is important in HE 4.0, with universities actively engaging with industry partners, government agencies, and communities to address societal challenges posed by this revolution

## Summary

Higher education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HE 4.0) presents a complex and exciting opportunity to potentially transform society for the better. This revolution is driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and will shift the focus of the workplace from task-based characteristics to human-centered characteristics. The convergence of man and machine in this revolution will also bridge the gap between humanities and social sciences, as well as science and technology, reducing the subject distance between these disciplines. As a result, there will be a greater need for interdisciplinary teaching, research, and innovation. This paper titled "Implications of the Fourth Industrial Age on Higher Education" by Bo Xing and Tshilidzi Marwala explores the impact of HE 4.0 on the mission of universities, which includes teaching, research (including innovation), and service. The authors argue that higher education institutions must adapt to this new era by embracing interdisciplinary approaches to education and research. The authors highlight that HE 4.0 will require universities to go beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries and foster collaboration among different fields of study. They emphasize that universities should prioritize interdisciplinary teaching methods that prepare students for a rapidly changing job market driven by AI technologies. Furthermore, the paper discusses how HE 4.0 will transform research practices within universities. With advancements in AI technologies, researchers will have access to vast amounts of data and computational power to analyze it effectively. This opens up new opportunities for innovative research across disciplines. In addition to teaching and research, the authors stress the importance of service in HE 4.0. Universities should actively engage with industry partners, government agencies, and communities to address societal challenges posed by this technological revolution. Overall, this paper highlights that higher education institutions need to embrace HE 4.0 as an opportunity for positive societal transformation.