This document discusses collaboration in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It defines the 4IR as technological developments that blur physical, digital, and biological spheres by integrating cyber-physical systems, the internet of things, big data, cloud computing, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The 4IR is evolving exponentially and will significantly impact work, education, services and leisure. The document emphasizes the importance of collaboration for addressing challenges of the 4IR and provides examples of collaborative tools and makerspaces in libraries that can facilitate collaboration in this new digital age.

1. Collaboration in the Cloud
20 MARCH 2019
INA SMITH

2. Agenda
Why collaboration?
4IR/Fourth Industrial Revolution
Libraries and the 4IR
Collaborative tools

3. Why Collaboration?
Provide solutions, different perspectives
Give individuals a strong sense of purpose
Reinforce that all are on the same team/the same side, not
alone
Sense of reward when team succeeds
Solve problems faster
Discover new strengths from fellow colleagues, yourself,
personal growth

4. Importance of partners’ success is as great as their own;
own success depends on their partners’ success
Willingly share the risks, responsibilities, resources, rewards
of the work
Collaborate to achieve together what we can’t achieve
alone
From: Collaboration: It's Not What You Think (2016) – Debra Mashek
(Psychology Today)

5. Levels of collaboration
Networking: exchanging info for mutual benefit; low level
of trust, limited time, no sharing of own turf
Coordinating: exchanging information; alter activities
slightly to achieve common goal; more trust
Cooperating: information and resource sharing (human,
financial, space, technology); more formal than
coordinating; more commitment, trust, sharing turf
Collaborating: substantial organisational commitment, high
level of trust, extensive sharing of turf. Partners
demonstrate public commitment, work & learn together,
become better – also beyond initial engagement

9. Increased use of technology
“Smart” technology connect humans more and more
Complex ecosystems are emerging across the landscape
Companies [and libraries] today must work with a far
wider range of partners to pull together underlying
technologies, applications, software, and services
More and more devices are connecting to the Internet
through sensors, GPS technology, wireless Internet
Devices collect, consume, process and analyse
data/information everywhere from our homes and cars
to our offices, factories and airports

12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CRBaalkhLs

18. China is monitoring employees’ brain waves and emotions –
and the technology boosted one company’s profits by
$315 million

20. 1st Industrial Revolution
18th – 19th Centuries
Europe & America
Iron & textile industries,
steam engine
Picture of the "Puffing Billy" steam engine
taken in the Science Museum in London.

21. 2nd Industrial Revolution
1870 – 1940, prior
WW1
Steel, oil, electricity
Electric power used for
mass production
Telephone, light bulb,
phonograph, internal
combustion engine
Bell on the telephone in New York (calling
Chicago) in 10 March 1876: “"Mr. Watson--
come here--I want to see you."

22. 3rd Industrial Revolution
Digital Revolution
Advancement of
technology from analog
electronic and mechanical
devices to the digital
technology today
1980 –
Personal computer,
Internet, and information
and communications
technology (ICT)

23. 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR)
Coined by Klaus Schwab – German engineer and economist,
best known as the founder and executive chairman of the
World Economic Forum

25. “The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been defined as
technological developments that blur the lines between
the physical, digital and biological spheres.
It integrates cyber-physical systems and the Internet of
Things, big data and cloud computing, robotics, artificial
intelligence (AI)-based systems and additive manufacturing.
Compared to previous industrial revolutions, this one is
evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace, with
potentially significant impacts on work, services, education
and leisure. “

26. “The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and attendant rapid
technological changes are creating opportunities for
improved quality of life and increased national
competitiveness, but are also putting some traditional jobs
at risk.”

27. What is the 4th IR?
Builds on Digital Revolution
New ways in which technology becomes embedded within
societies and even the human body
Merging technology breakthroughs in a number of fields,
including robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology,
quantum computing, biotechnology, the Internet of Things
(IoT), 3D printing and autonomous vehicles.

28. Blurring in terms of ….
Physical: intelligent robots, autonomous drones, driverless
cars, 3d printing, smart sensors
Digital: internet of things, services, data, people
Biological: synthetic biology, individual genetic make-up,
bio-printing
**************
Technologies are fast changing, as well as the way we work,
learn, live … And the way your USERS work, learn, live.

29. Conveyor system transporting books from Bryant Park off-site storage
area to New York Public Library (underground)

31. Makerspaces in Libraries
A makerspace is "... a collaborative work space inside a
school, library or separate public/private facility for making,
learning, exploring and sharing, that uses high tech to no
tech tools.”
A hackerspace “as a community-operated workspace where
people with common interests, often in computers,
technology, science and digital art can meet, socialize and
collaborate.”

34. Access to all of our
equipment
Startup Incubator
Laser cutting Services
Prototyping Services
Event Management
Services
Disruptive Technology
Training Services

36. Vincent & Nancy at Connecticut West Port Library – teaching robotics,
coding, programming skills to kids

37. Artificial Intelligence

38. Face ID Recognition

39. Emoticons to adapt to users’ needs

40. Collecting Data & Using Intelligently
Collect via social media tools, mobile phones, surveys, telescopes,
microscopes, drones, cameras, and many more!

41. Technology driving innovation

42. Tools to collaborate in the cloud
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Google Forms
Etc

44. “Africa’s technology scene is booming, with over
400 tech hubs that range from software
engineering to mobile money to blockchain
technology.”
https://medium.com/world-of-opportunity/africas-tech-talent-finds-its-place-
in-the-global-economy-fe634ed1af40
Africa’s tech talent finds its
place in the global economy
By Neha Sud

45. “The adoption of digitalisation
by African countries could add
$300 billion (R4 trillion) to the
continent's economy by 2026.”
https://www.siemens.co.za/pool/about_us/Di
gitalization_Maturity_Report_2017.pdf

46. https://theconversation.com/how-digital-technology-can-help-reinvent-
basic-education-in-africa-85937

47. https://theconversation.com/students-struggle-with-digital-skills-
because-their-teachers-lack-confidence-56071

48. The way forward - Librarians
“For South Africa to be competitive, it is important that it keeps
up with the global trends in the provision of modern LIS that
exploit all the benefits of ICTs.
The LIS sector’s capacity to contribute to the nation’s ability to
convert knowledge into innovations and wealth will determine
its value to the nation.”
- LIS Transformation Charter (2014) -

50. Thank you!
Visit https://inthecloud.org.za/
Email ina@inthecloud.org.za