Event Details

Industrialization increasingly depends on the capacity of productive units to absorb advanced production technologies. In fact, the convergence of industrial technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, fifth-generation wireless technologies, new-generation robotics, systemic connectivity big data and automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) – technologies commonly subsumed under the term Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) –fundamentally changes the way production is organized and determines to what degree countries and regions industrialize. There are two main reasons why Kenya must absorb advanced industrial technologies:  First, to attain sufficient degrees of productivity and competitiveness to cater to growing markets and not leave manufacturing and value addition to enterprises in more developed and industrialized countries and second, to benefit from cleaner and more sustainable technology solutions to production that benefits the environment and people.

4IR promotes the computerization of traditional industries and portends the ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology. Large-scale machine-to-machine communication (M2M) and the internet of things (IoT) are integrated for increased automation, improved communication and self-monitoring, and production of smart machines that can analyze and diagnose issues without the need for human intervention. The proverbial “business as usual” has been forced to consider new ways of working and this has forced the implementation of technology to be fast-tracked in order to digitize the workforce. However on the flip side adoption is costly and diverging between technology haves and have-nots. It’s importance to Engineering and Manufacturing cannot be overlooked and engineers need to be at the frontline of its development.

By the end of this webinar, participants will have understood: 

1. The importance of 4IR for industry development in Kenya  and provide examples on how 4IR adoption can be further accelerated;
2. Identification of opportunities to promote investments into 4IR and craft policies to foster 4IR absorption;
3. The meaning of 4IR and Industry 4.0 (Big data analytics, Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, fifth-generation wireless technologies, robotics, systemic connectivity) and its evolution;
4. Implication of new technologies and Innovations -their consequences to engineers;
5. Risks of new technology; (Are jobs at risk of being lost due to robotization?)
6. Automation capacity and potential job losses for engineers?
7. Potential benefits from advances in technology
8. The significance of Industrialization and Manufacturing sector to the Kenyan economy
9. Policy Implications of Technology Adoption; Innovation And Industry 4.0; and
10. Recommendations on how to ride the wave of 4IR by governments and private sector