The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) describes the technological transformations that are incrementally, but radically, changing everyday life practices. Like previous industrial revolutions, technological advancements are so pervasive and impactful that everything from an individual’s sense of identity and understanding of the world to the economic success of an entire industry are profoundly altered by 4IR innovation. Despite the significance of 4IR transformations, little applied linguistic research has examined how these emergent technologies collectively transform human behavior and communication. To this end, this Element identifies key 4IR issues and outlines how they relate to applied linguistic research. The Element argues that applied linguists are in an excellent position to contribute to such research, as expertise in language and communication is critical to understanding 4IR issues. However, to make interdisciplinary and wider societal contributions, applied linguists must rethink how 4IR technologies can be harnessed to more efficiently publish and disseminate timely research.
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