In a world where technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, the concept of Industry 5.0 emerges as a new hope for balancing the relationship between machines and people. Unlike its predecessor, Industry 4.0, which prioritizes automation and digital interconnection, Industry 5.0 proposes a return to the human, placing people at the center of technological development.
From the Internet of Things to human-machine collaboration
By: Gabriel E. Levy
Over the past decade, Industry 4.0 transformed manufacturing by implementing technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced robotics.
These advancements brought with them a focus on optimization and efficiency, achieved primarily through automation.
Smart factories, where machines are interconnected and can make decisions in real-time with minimal human intervention, became the norm.
This model undoubtedly marked a milestone in productivity and cost reduction, but it also began to show its own limitations.
Automation, while powerful, is not without its critics. Authors such as Klaus Schwab, in his work “The Fourth Industrial Revolution”, and Erik Brynjolfsson, in “The Second Machine Age”, have warned about the risks of excessive dependence on technology.
One of the biggest fears is massive job losses as machines take over roles that have traditionally been performed by humans. In addition, concerns arise that the dehumanization of processes could lead to a growing disconnect between the worker and his or her labor, transforming work into a mechanical and alienating act.
Faced with this scenario, the need for a new stage in industrial evolution emerges, one that not only advances in terms of technology, but also revalues the role of the human being within the production process.
This is where Industry 5.0 comes into play, a concept that began to take shape around 2017 in Japan and Europe.
Authors such as Naoko Ogawa, in their research on the “Human-centric approach to Industry 5.0″, have pointed out that this new stage proposes that technology should be at the service of people, not the other way around.
This approach places a special emphasis on integrating creativity and human critical thinking within industrial operations.
Industry 5.0 isn’t just about improving efficiency; It seeks to redefine the relationship between humans and machines.
According to a report by the European Commission, Industry 5.0 “goes beyond the automation and efficiency of Industry 4.0, promoting a vision that places human well-being and sustainability at the heart of industrial production.”
This represents a paradigm shift: from a total reliance on automation to a collaborative interaction between humans and technology. The machine is no longer just a tool, but a collaborator that empowers human skills, creating an environment in which technology and humanity not only coexist, but complement each other.
This change, as Dirk Helbing, a systems science researcher at ETH Zurich, points out, represents a fundamental transformation in how we think about work and production.
Industry 5.0 is not a technical upgrade; it is a reconfiguration of the human role in a world where machines are increasingly capable.
This approach could mitigate some of the negative effects of automation, such as job losses, by fostering roles where human creativity and innovation are indispensable. It is an attempt to reconcile technological advancement with human needs and values, something that the pure automation of Industry 4.0 did not fully achieve.
From automation to personalization
Industry 5.0 proposes a more personalized and adaptable approach. While Industry 4.0 focused on efficiency and automation, Industry 5.0 seeks to go a step further by integrating creativity and customization into production processes.
This implies that advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and collaborative robots, will not only be used to perform repetitive tasks, but also to support and empower human capacity.
According to Thomas Kallstenius, a researcher at the European Commission, Industry 5.0 “recognises the central role of humanity in the industrial system and promotes sustainability and resilience along with efficiency”.
This means that technology will no longer be seen as a tool to replace the worker, but as an ally to improve their capabilities and create more personalized products and services.
In terms of telecommunications, Industry 5.0 promises a profound transformation.
The capacity of 5G networks and future connectivity technologies will be crucial to facilitate real-time interaction between humans and machines. Telecommunications will be forced to evolve to support not only a greater number of connected devices, but also to ensure extremely low latency and high reliability, critical aspects for human-machine collaboration in industrial environments.
Latin America’s Challenge: Gaps and Opportunities
However, Latin America faces a significant challenge in the adoption of Industry 5.0.
The region, which is still struggling to fully implement Industry 4.0 technologies, could be left behind if proactive measures are not taken.
According to multiple reports by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the technological gap and the lack of adequate infrastructure are two of the biggest obstacles that the region will have to overcome.
Lack of investment in digital infrastructure, low penetration of advanced technologies, and a shortage of skilled personnel are factors that could delay the adoption of Industry 5.0 in Latin America. In addition, economic inequality and political instability in many countries in the region exacerbate the problem, creating an environment that is not conducive to innovation and technological development.
However, the situation is not entirely bleak. Latin America has a unique opportunity to learn from the mistakes and successes of other regions that are leading the transition to Industry 5.0. The region’s potential to adopt sustainable and human-centered practices could be a catalyst for its development, as long as investment in education, infrastructure, and public policies that foster innovation is prioritized.
Impact on telecommunications: the need for a robust infrastructure
The impact of Industry 5.0 on telecommunications will be significant, but it will also represent a challenge. For human-machine collaboration to materialize effectively, a robust and reliable telecommunications infrastructure will be needed.
The implementation of 5G networks and the development of advanced communication technologies will be crucial to ensure that systems can respond in real-time, which is critical to the success of Industry 5.0.
In Latin America, the deployment of 5G is still incipient, and the lack of access to next-generation technologies could limit the region’s ability to compete in a world where Industry 5.0 becomes the norm. However, with the right strategy, including public-private partnerships, Latin America could close this gap and seize the opportunities offered by the new industrial revolution.
In conclusion, Industry 5.0 is not only a technological evolution, but a revolution in the way we understand the interaction between humans and machines. Born out of the need to overcome the limitations of full automation, this new industrial era promises to revalue the role of people in an increasingly technological world. Although Latin America faces significant challenges in adopting this new phase, it also has the opportunity to become a leader in sustainable and human-centered practices, as long as it manages to overcome current infrastructure and education barriers.
