Smart Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Algorithms (STARA) in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Oosthuizen, Rudolf M; Mayer, Claude-Hélène

This edited volume offers a timely, multidisciplinary exploration of Smart Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Algorithms (STARA) during the transition from the Fourth towards the Fifth Industrial Revolution. Bringing together international scholars and practitioners, the book moves beyond technological hype to critically examine how AI, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping work, identity, careers, health, and wellbeing across global contexts.

“As AI and automation accelerate worldwide, the future of work cannot be understood through technology alone. This volume makes a vital contribution by placing human experience, organisational culture, and ethical leadership at the centre of the STARA conversation. Drawing on diverse psychological perspectives, the chapters illuminate how digital transformation reshapes power, wellbeing, and professional identity across contexts. At a time when societies are searching for more humane models of innovation, this collection provides both critical reflection and practical guidance. It is an essential resource for those seeking to navigate technological change in ways that strengthen resilience, responsibility, and shared prosperity.” (Professor Rachel Adams, Chief Executive Officer and Founder: Global Center on AI Governance, Executive Director, Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom)

“I urge readers to dive into this novel book volume with an insatiable curiosity and heartfelt openness to explore new transformative ideas, possibilities, frameworks and capabilities, which help bring further progress in our understanding and application of STARA/AI in our professions and research. This cutting-edge book volume equips readers with wisdom, insights and visionary frameworks to sculpt a human-STARA/AI future into one that reverberates with co-intelligent productivity, wellbeing, health and optimal human potential.” (Professor Melinde Coetzee, Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa, South Africa)

“The pressing, accelerating challenge is upon us: how to virtuously integrate people and 4IR technology optimally, in a human-centric manner. Hence this book is not only essential but more than timeously in enlightening us how to tackle this imposing challenge through insightful, broad, deep, and innovative thinking and research.” (Professor Theo H Veldsman, Emeritus Professor in Work Psychology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

Chapter 3 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Details

Published by: Springer

Publication Date: 2026-12-11

Format: Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9783032298768

DOI:

Dimensions: 235cm x155cm

Pages: 824