Regional study on impacts of the fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on marginalized and vulnerable groups

The ASEAN senior officials meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) is mandated to improve the quality of life of people in vulnerable situations in ASEAN. Against this backdrop, the Asia Foundation proposes to conduct a regional study on the impacts of the fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on marginalized and vulnerable groups. The study will be conducted in partnership with SOMSWD and IDRC.

While digital technology enables people to complete transactions anywhere when physical distancing is imposed, it exposes existing socio-economic inequalities and widens the digital divide and the gaps between the haves and have-nots. The 4IR refers to a set of highly disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud-based applications, robotics, blockchain, big data, advanced analytics and additive manufacturing. These technologies are transforming social, economic and political systems and reshaping economies and societies through unprecedented, rapid, transformative, and irreversible changes to the way we produce, work, live and interact.

The study will conceptualize opportunities and challenges of the 4IR on vulnerable and marginalized groups in ASEAN member states at the national and regional level.