TECHNOLOGY giant STARR Computer has partnered with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana to educate stakeholders on the Fourth Industrial Revolution currently in progress.

The Guyanese youth STEM Team in 2017 were placed 10th on the world stage among 100 other countries around the world in the World Robotics Competition.

The technology company has been hosting seminars for students at their company’s head office, Brickdam, Georgetown all week, which continues today.

According to President of Starr Computer, Michael Mohan, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is the current period of change driven by unprecedented technological developments.

Mohan said by 2022, over 20 million current jobs will be discontinued and five million new jobs will be created from changes that will occur in the Fourth Revolution.

“And, as time goes by, we will likely see the extreme high skilled/high pay jobs, low pay/low skilled jobs, and an unemployment ‘donut’ in the centre unless government starts planning a solution. However, humans have always proven to be resilient for survival and I think just as we survived the last three Industrial Revolutions, a new solution will be created,” he explained.

Adding that government and businesses will be faced with new challenges as the revolution matures, Mohan said procedures and processes will need to be overhauled to adapt to new changes – faster, secured and more connected.

“This means software application must be smarter, adaptable to changes and cloud ready. Hardware will be driven by the software to execute the manual process. However, data will need to be better encrypted, regularly backed-up with consistent password updates,” he said.

Most importantly, he said repetitious processes will need to be replaced with software and hardware automation.

“Cybercrime via system hijack, ransomware, and adware will be some of the biggest challenges to all. So far Symantec amongst others have been a good defense from intrusion. Businesses in Guyana need to focus its energy on innovation and productivity to compete. We don’t and international companies will jump into that space and dominate,” Mohan explained.

Underscoring that banks will need to encourage more encrypted debit and credit cards issuance to customers so as to help move away from the “cash based” society, Mohan said government may be better off continuing with infrastructure and utilities, development and vocational schools, along with incentivising private entities to promote this new initiative for the betterment of Guyanese.

“Changes in the new direction of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are here to stay, and early adapters will be the winners of tomorrow. Persons can visit Starr Computer for a free demonstration on 3D printers, robotic products, drone and others,” he said.