Beyond4.0

This research project is led by the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (UCL IIPP).
Explore all IIPP research projects here. 

Dates of the project: 2022-2023

The Challenge 

Europe faces a critical turning point as new digital technologies reshape jobs, business models, and welfare systems. The dominant narrative often assumes technology drives change on its own – but this overlooks how public policy and regulation can shape outcomes. The challenge is to ensure that the Fourth Industrial Revolution leads to inclusive growth, decent work, and equitable prosperity, rather than deepening inequality. 

Our Approach 

BEYOND4.0 brings together a consortium of ten leading European institutions, including IIPP, to explore how technological change can be harnessed for social good. We use cross-disciplinary methods and rich datasets – historical, EU-wide, regional, and company-level to understand how past revolutions were shaped by policy. IIPP leads research on technological change, examining how public action influenced innovation and employment. We also investigate platform business models (e.g. Amazon, Uber, Airbnb) and explore how they can evolve to deliver more inclusive value. 

Why This Matters 

This research provides evidence-based tools and policy options to help Europe navigate digital transformation in a socially inclusive way. By challenging deterministic views of technology, BEYOND4.0 supports the creation of a digital economy that works for everyone. The project contributes to key EU and UN goals—such as decent work, reduced inequality, and sustainable growth—offering a roadmap for a fairer future beyond Industry 4.0. 

Resources

Video: Beyond 4.0
Speaker: Carlota Perez.
Description: Carlota Perez discusses her research from the EU-funded Beyond 4.0 project, challenging technological determinism and exploring how states and societies shape the trajectory of industrial revolutions.

Funder

This project is funded by EU Horizon 2020. 

This research project is led by the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (UCL IIPP).
Explore all IIPP research projects here.