Working in a Digital World

© Demonstrationsfabrik Aachen

“Working Innovatively in a Digital World” was the annual focus topic for the German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) in 2018. The topic reflects a development that is often described as the fourth industrial revolution. But is revolution perhaps too dramatic a word? No, as a glance at Germany and the DWIH host countries – the USA, Brazil, Russia, India and Japan – reveals: the changes being brought about by digitisation are affecting the way we work on every conceivable level.

Unique opportunities

Following historical innovations such as the steam engine, the conveyor belt and the use of electronics and information technology, it is now smart factories that ,are the dominant factor in Industry 4.0. However, it is by no means only industry that is affected, as digitisation likewise plays a key role in Germany’s research landscape. “One of the greatest challenges of our time is posed by the digital transformation of science, business and society”, says Professor Otmar D. Wiestler, who is the president of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest research organisation.

Prof. Dr. Otmar D. Wiestler, Präsident der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft
"In nahezu allen Bereichen des Lebens eröffnet die Digitalisierung ungeahnte Möglichkeiten – innovative Formen von Arbeit und Zusammenleben beispielsweise, neuartige Plattformen für Handel und Austausch sowie einmalige Chancen in allen wissenschaftlichen Disziplinen."
Prof. Dr. Otmar D. Wiestler, Präsident der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft

By staging a large number of events, the DWIH have brought about an international dialogue that took account of local specificities while at the same time stressing the value of cross-border cooperation.

Skyline von New York mit dem Empire State Building im Vordergrund. © gettyimages/Alexander Spatari
DWIH New York

Silicon Valley, Cyber Valley – and much more besides

Be it in California’s Silicon Valley or Cyber Valley in southern Germany: the digitisation of the world of work is being innovatively driven forward on both sides of the Atlantic – including in Industry 4.0. Further information can be found in the topics section of the DWIH New York website.

Blick auf die Kabelbrücke in Sao Paulo. © iStockphoto
DWIH São Paulo

A nuanced discussion of digitisation

Social issues are of particular relevance in the German-Brazilian dialogue on the future of work. Equal attention is paid to the opportunities and risks of digital innovations. Further information can be found in the topics section of the DWIH São Paulo website.

Blick auf das Moskauer International Business Center. © gettyimages/Max Ryazanov
DWIH Moscow

How business and science are becoming digital

German companies are generating innovative impetus in the Russian business scene; start-ups from both countries are linking higher education and research with the world of business. Further information can be found in the topics section of the DWIH Moscow website.

Der Lotus-Tempel in Neu-Delhi. © gettyimages/Mohan Singh
DWIH New Delhi

The future of work – frugal and digital

India’s society is proof of just how diverse innovative work can be. Universities are producing creative product ideas and frugal innovations are also changing the digitised working world. Further information can be found in the topics section of the DWIH New Delhi website.

Tokyo Tower und Stadtviertel Minato-ku © iStockphoto
DWIH Tokyo

Industry 4.0, robotics and societal discourse

Germany’s strengths in Industry 4.0 and Japan’s leading role in robotics make the two countries excellent partners, and they also jointly discuss digitisation’s consequences for society. Further information can be found in the topics section of the DWIH Tokyo website.