Industry 4.0 with eyes on the future

In France it is termed "Industrie du Futur", in Japan "Society 5.0 and Connected Industries", while in Canada it is called "Innovation and Skills Plan", and the European Union launched in 2016 "Digitising European Industry – Reaping the full benefits of a Digital Single Market", but the most commonly used term globally is the German "Industrie 4.0". However, the different approaches to this development give indications on the complexity of the phenomenon. Basically it is directed on the digital transformation of the society and its consequences with special focus on developments in robotics, the industrial application of artificial intelligence, 3D printing technologies and real-time big data analytics. When the Italian presidency of G7 calling to the first meeting September 25-26 it is these questions that are on the table with focus on innovation within the field. Small- and medium-sized businesses are seen as key-players in this development, and the necessary collaboration with bigger business and higher education requires openness concerning free flow of data and information, interoperability of systems, access to enabling digital infrastructures.