World Economic Forum Expands Fourth Industrial Revolution Network with Five New Centres
These centres aim to support governments and industry in adopting frontier technologies responsibly while addressing regional priorities and advancing international cooperation.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is set to expand its global Fourth Industrial Revolution Network with the launch of five new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and India. These centres aim to support governments and industry in adopting frontier technologies responsibly while addressing regional priorities and advancing international cooperation. Focus areas will include artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition, cyber resilience, and other emerging technologies.
In France, the European Centre for AI Excellence in Paris will accelerate responsible AI innovation and adoption across sectors, enhancing Europe’s competitiveness in technology and industry. In the United Kingdom, the Centre for AI-Driven Innovation at Imperial College London will develop cutting-edge AI applications and explore convergence with frontier technologies such as quantum computing, biotechnology, and generative AI.
The UAE will host two new centres. The Centre for Frontier Technologies in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the Technology Innovation Institute, will focus on quantum technologies, robotics, and space, promoting public-private collaboration for responsible deployment of advanced technologies. Meanwhile, the Centre for Intelligent Future at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) will strengthen AI research, infrastructure, and innovation, connecting frontier research to societal and economic challenges.
In India, the Centre for Energy and Cyber Resilience in Andhra Pradesh will focus on innovation-led approaches to the energy transition while enhancing cyber resilience across industries. The centre will develop scalable solutions in green energy systems, cybersecurity strategies, and workforce development through pilots, consultations, and knowledge exchange.
Collectively, the five centres will strengthen the WEF’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, bringing together governments, industry, and experts to translate innovation into practical policy frameworks, pilots, and solutions. The network, launched in 2017, currently includes centres across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, promoting the responsible development and deployment of emerging technologies worldwide.
