Resources and References
Course Glossary
This glossary provides definitions for key terms used throughout the course.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning, and self-correction.
Biotechnology
Technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms, or parts thereof to develop or create different products.
Digital Divide
The gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology and those that don't or have restricted access.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
The ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices using modern smart technology, characterized by the fusion of physical, digital, and biological domains.
Governance
The systems and processes concerned with ensuring the overall direction, effectiveness, supervision, and accountability of an organization or system.
Pacing Problem
The challenge where technological innovation outpaces the development of regulatory frameworks, creating a gap between what technology can do and what regulations address.
Productivity Paradox
The observation that, despite massive investments in information technology, productivity growth has slowed rather than increased in many advanced economies.
Technological Transition
The process by which society shifts from one technological paradigm to another, often involving significant economic, social, and institutional changes.
Transformative Technology
Technologies that fundamentally alter how we live, work, and interact with the world around us, creating entirely new capabilities, industries, and paradigms.
Recommended Readings
Books
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The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies
By Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee
A comprehensive examination of how digital technologies are transforming economies and societies.
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The Fourth Industrial Revolution
By Klaus Schwab
Explores how emerging technologies are reshaping economic, social, cultural, and human contexts.
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Shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution
By Klaus Schwab and Nicholas Davis
A practical guide to understanding and shaping the technological revolution.
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The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
By Shoshana Zuboff
An in-depth analysis of how digital platforms have reshaped economic power and privacy in the modern era.
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Digital Transformation: Survive and Thrive in an Era of Mass Extinction
By Thomas Siebel
A look at how businesses can navigate the disruptive forces of digital transformation.
Articles and Reports
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Technology and the Future of Growth: Challenges of Change
Brookings Institution
Examines how technological change affects economic growth and policy challenges.
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Emerging Technology: Key Challenges and Opportunities
ISACA
Explores challenges and opportunities in emerging technology adoption.
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AI governance trends: How regulation, collaboration and skills demand are shaping the industry
World Economic Forum
Analyzes emerging governance frameworks for artificial intelligence.
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Agile Regulation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Toolkit for Regulators
World Economic Forum
A guide that provides regulators with a range of techniques they can employ to respond more agilely to innovation and disruption.
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Agile Governance: Reimagining Policy-making in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
World Economic Forum
A guide to agile governance.
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The Global Risks Report 2025
World Economic Forum
Provides insights into global risks and how technological changes intersect with broader societal challenges.
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Digital Globalization: The New Era of Global Flows
McKinsey Global Institute
Explores how digital transformation is reshaping global trade, business, and economic relationships.
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The Future of Jobs Report 2025
World Economic Forum
An in-depth look at how emerging technologies are transforming the labor market and the skills needed for the future.
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Navigating Advanced Technology Transitions
Andrew Maynard
Four novel ways to conceptualize the challenges and opportunities presented by advanced technology transitions.
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The need for new thinking, research, ideas, and strategies, for ensuring advanced technologies are harnessed to ensure a better future.
Andrew Maynard
Four novel ways to conceptualize the challenges and opportunities presented by advanced technology transitions.
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Four more ways of thinking about advanced technology transitions
Andrew Maynard
Four additional ways to conceptualize the challenges and opportunities presented by advanced technology transitions.
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Navigating advanced technology transitions: using lessons from nanotechnology
Nature Nanotechnology | Andrew Maynard
Drawing insights and lessons from the development and use of nanotechnology.
Online Resources
Websites and Platforms
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World Economic Forum - Fourth Industrial Revolution
Platform dedicated to understanding and shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
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OECD Going Digital
Project examining how the digital transformation affects policy and the economy.
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Agile governance transformation map
Agile governance interactive map from the World Economic Forum.
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Risk Innovation Nexus
Connecting ethical and responsible innovation with value growth.
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Future of Being Human Substack
Insights into the intersection between advanced technologies, society, and the future.
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Advanced Technology Transitions
Articles, papers, podcasts, media, and more exploring approaches to navigating advanced technology transitions and the future of being human.