Why Values Must Be the Core of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

I believe, strongly, that we’re at a pivotal moment in history. The Fourth Industrial Revolution and its technologies are transforming the way we live, work, and connect. As we try to navigate these societal transformations, one thing is clear: values are not just a nice-to-have; they must be at the heart of everything we build. I say, “Values must be a core feature in the digital era.”

Why Values Matter in Technological Innovation
Values shape how we live in society, and they will define the success or failure of the technological systems we create. Without them, innovation risks becoming cold, impersonal, or even harmful. But when we intentionally embed human values—like fairness, accountability, and transparency—into our systems, technology can become a force for empowerment and trust. Let’s remember:

“Technology reflects who we are.”

It seems that we often get caught up in the "coolness" of new, shiny tools. Let’s build! But remember, we’ve seen how technology without values can leave people behind. In the age of Web2, for example, social media platforms exploded with promise, only to later expose cracks—privacy violations, misinformation, and algorithms that prioritize profit over well-being.

The truth is, problems from previous industrial revolutions still exist because those systems failed to center values. Some people are still unbanked and don’t even have internet access. It didn’t have to become that way, but I think it was a system lacking human-centered values.

Web3: A Second Chance to Build Better Systems
Web3 gives us a second chance. It’s a chance to build digital systems that reflect who we are and what we care about as humans. We have seen the future: a world where creators get fair compensation for their work, where users own their data, and where transparency isn’t just a buzzword but a fundamental design principle. These aren’t just technical features—they’re values in action.

Sure, some people don’t care. But I have a feeling that many of us are tired of feeling powerless in the face of technological giants. Web3 promises to give power back to individuals and communities. However, decentralization on its own doesn’t guarantee fairness. That’s why it’s crucial to design these systems with trust, inclusivity, and accountability baked in from the start. Values.

If we want Web3 projects to serve everyone, we need to actively consider issues like accessibility. Who gets to participate in this new economy? Who benefits from it? Designing for inclusion isn’t automatic; it’s a value-driven choice.

The Risks of Ignoring Values
When we treat values like annoying things to fix later, we risk creating systems that exclude, exploit, or harm people—again. But when we treat values as features, we get something mindfully transformative. I know it may not sound as sexy as the PornRocket token , but prioritizing fairness and shared ownership is good for society. We need to remind ourselves that code doesn’t build a better society—values do.

Creating a Future That Works for Everyone
If we embed human values into our technology, we can create a world where innovation works for everyone. But it’s not going to happen by accident. Regulators, developers, and users like you and me need to push for systems that reflect what we believe in. I say fairness, inclusion, and sustainability is a start. Let’s start that conversation today.