23rd SCAC

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) has already become a buzzword. However, the exact nature of the revolution as well as its present and future impact on human civilization are still not clear to many people including some professionals in the relevant sectors. Many of the areas of human endeavor are now dominated by technologies like Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, 3D printing, Biotechnology, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things. However, the process of successful implementation of these modern technologies is highly context-specific and it demands a critical appreciation of the norms, cultures, value systems, and political as well as economic realities of the country. In the background of phenomenal enhancement in the quantitative and qualitative aspects of productivity, there will be substantial challenges and risks related to automation as well as ethical aspects of the revolution.

Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions of the world regarding FIR. However, development in this region is highly heterogeneous, and, at present, many of the countries are lagging due to a lack of skilled human resources, large-scale investment, modern infrastructure, adverse sociopolitical culture, and ineffective public policy. Time is now extremely crucial to initiate discussion on various dimensions of the FIR so that the outcome of the transformation can be harnessed with the best possible productivity as well as equity and human values. Collaboration among regional countries is central to achieving optimum success in this area and this needs intensive discussion and interaction among the relevant professionals and policymakers from around the region. Accordingly, the Theme of the 23^rd Congress, to be held in Dhaka during 2024, has been fixed as ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution and Future Society’.

The Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), as the local Organizer, extends a cordial invitation to the relevant professionals and stakeholders to attend the Conference.