New technological inventions have transformed society. The invention of the steam locomotive in the late 18th century sparked the First Industrial Revolution, setting off a wave of mechanization and industrialization across the world.In the latter half of the 19th century, the Second Industrial Revolution brought about mass production powered by electricity, and in the latter half of the 20th century, the Third Industrial Revolution occurred, driven by advances in computer technology that spurred automation. Now, we are on the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, led by technologies such as AI and the IoT.This is also considered to be the fifth major transformation of civilization—"Society 5.0"—following hunter-gatherer societies, agricultural societies, industrial societies, and information societies. Technological
evolution is changing the skills required to navigate the future. Consequently, learning environments must also evolve.Traditionally, education has placed the emphasis on acquiring as much knowledge as possible. This approach was effective in a catch-up-style industrial society that demanded individuals equipped with standardized knowledge. However, as the economy has globalized and we have entered an information society where vast amounts of information flow across borders, even a wealth of knowledge quickly becomes obsolete.Amid these major shifts in social structure, the ability to master information technology, collaborate with people from around the world who hold diverse values, and create new value has become more essential than ever. The “Heisei” era, which spanned 30 years
, transformed into an era of greater convenience and comfort thanks to the remarkable advancements in information technology.It was the era of the Third Industrial Revolution. At the same time, various established orders collapsed, and the concepts of “a good school” and “a good company” lost their sustainability. Already, intensifying international competition and changes in industrial structure are making it difficult to maintain the traditional Japanese employment system—characterized by mass hiring of new graduates, seniority-based promotion, and lifetime employment.However, as exemplified by “Moore’s Law,” the past was an era where change, though rapid, followed certain patterns—in other words, an era where the future was predictable. With the transition to the Reiwa era
, we are on the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Society 5.0. This is an era of unpredictable, lawless change—one in which change follows change.Faced with technological advancements capable of transforming not only industry but all aspects of society, culture, and daily life, discussions are once again gaining momentum worldwide regarding the qualities and abilities needed to thrive in this new era and build a better society, as well as the learning environments required to foster them.The OECD describes the current era as one of “VUCA” (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) and identifies “the ability to drive change” as a key competency required in this era.
　I believe that what is required of children living in an unpredictable future is the “ability to adapt to change.” This goes beyond the ability to efficiently solve problems with predetermined answers; it encompasses the ability to sift through vast amounts of information to identify what is necessary, to design challenges for oneself, and to continue learning throughout one’s life.
　And, needless to say, it is science and technology that will bring about this transformation. According to the “IBM Global Executive Study”—a large-scale survey conducted over 15 years among executives in more than 70 countries—executives have ranked technology as the number one external factor affecting their companies since 2012 (IBM, 2016).

　Furthermore, it can be said that the impact of technology will continue to grow in the future. According to a survey conducted by PwC—one of the world’s largest accounting firms—of CEOs in more than 90 countries since 1997, approximately 64% of CEOs believe that AI will have a greater impact on society than the Internet revolution (PwC, 2019).

　Technological innovation brings about major societal changes, while also leading to shifts in the job market.Cathy Davidson of the City University of New York states, “65% of children will work in jobs that do not yet exist.” Furthermore, a paper titled “The Future of Employment” published by Michael Osborne of the University of Oxford predicts that as computer-driven automation advances, approximately half of all jobs will be replaced by machines.
　In the 2019 global market capitalization rankings, six of the top ten companies were in the IT and telecommunications sectors. This means that while many jobs will disappear, a large number of new ones will be created. Many of the jobs that have disappeared in the past have been automated and replaced by new technologies. Going forward, no job will be able to remain unaffected by science and technology, particularly cutting-edge IT.
　In fact, we are already living surrounded by STEM (an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) technologies such as AI, robots, drones, big data, fintech, edtech, and agritech.STEM-related knowledge is required in all industrial sectors. From this perspective, the power of STEM will become more important than ever before. Advances in science
and technology are the driving force behind social and economic development, and it is an urgent priority to cultivate highly skilled scientific and technical professionals and improve the basic STEM literacy of all citizens.

What Is STEM/STEAM Education? Vol. 7: Conclusion
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Education? Vol. 6: The
Current Situation in Japan https://creativekids.jp/?p=18648 What Is STEM/STEAM Education
? Vol. 5: The
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STEM/STEAM Education? Vol. 4: STEM Education and Programming Education
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? Vol. 3: What Is
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STEM/STEAM Education? Vol. 2: STEM Literacy as a Fundamental Skill
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Education? Vol. 1: Social Change
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