The clothing sector must embrace Industry 4.0 to boost productivity and harness creativity by providing a single, connected platform for all supply chain processes, writes GlobalData. Industry 4.0 – or the fourth industrial revolution – is a hot topic in manufacturing. Its premise is that combining new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics with real-time data can transform factories into fully automated entities that offer a more predictive and responsive approach to production. "For the labour-intensive clothing industry with its long and complex global supply chains, Industry 4.0 has the potential to improve efficiency, speed up the whole planning and production process, reduce lead-times and allow brands to interact with supply chain partners in real-time," says Leonie Barrie, Apparel Analyst at GlobalData. "We already have 3D design and virtual prototyping tools, as well as intelligent cutting and sewing systems, but imagine the possibilities of a truly networked supply chain, where every step is seamlessly connected from design to manufacturing to the consumer." The most exciting opportunities lie in the ability to shake up the traditional model in which designs are pushed out to the consumer in the hope that they sell, to one that instead enables companies to design and sell products based on consumer demand.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, we live in today, has disrupted nearly every industry across the world. Its ripple effects has widely been felt in our daily lives all the way to the global economy, and in the "work" too. For many professionals, work no longer means 9 to 6, commute to the office, or even a designated desk. Technology has allowed companies to offer remote and flexible work terms, including freelance. If you have a knack and expertise in the right areas, freelance works offer a varied opportunities while sharing your knowledge and skills with clients.

It was doing a favour for his mother that gave entrepreneur Matt Barrie the idea for setting up a business that is now worth more than A$400m ($300m; £243m). His company and website Freelancer has a simple concept - it connects people who have work they need doing with others who compete to do the task by submitting the fee they would charge. Founded just eight years ago in Sydney, today the website has more than 22.5 million users around the world, both freelance workers and those seeking their services. Jobs advertised on Freelancer include everything from help with building a mobile phone app, to writing a company report, designing a tattoo, and help with gaining publicity for something. US space agency Nasa has even used the website since 2015, allowing people to bid to help design items for the International Space Station, including a new robotic arm.

An artificially intelligent fighter pilot system has defeated two attacking jets in a combat simulation. The AI, known as Alpha, used four virtual jets to successfully defend a coastline against two attacking aircraft - and did not suffer any losses. Alpha, which was developed by a US team, also triumphed in simulation against a retired human fighter pilot. One military aviation expert said the results were promising. In the simulation described in the study, both attacking jets - the blue team - had more capable weapons systems.