MENA's fab labs and the fourth industrial revolution

Fab Labs are workspaces where people with common interests, often in computer science, machining and hardware development, science, and digital fields can meet, socialize, collaborate, innovate, and invent. "To prevent the concentration of value and power in just a few hands, we have to find ways to balance the benefits and risks of digital platforms (including industry platforms) by ensuring openness and opportunities for collaborative innovation," Schwab writes, regarding the possible economic ramifications of the 4ID. MENA countries also graduate fewer students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields annually, compared to other regions. Cofounders Ali Rajai (left) and Salman Oraibi (right) of Fab Lab Bahrain are co-designing hardware innovations.