Due to their transforming impact on the global agriculture sector, the role of digital technologies is more essential than ever today. This report from the World Economic Forum takes an overview of the role of Fourth Industrial Revolution technology in shaping the agriculture ecosystem. For this purpose, agritech solutions have been divided into four categories:

• Intelligent crop planning, involves utilising AI-based models to create a market-oriented, sustainable crop plan

• Smart farming, the use of AI and other technologies to increase the efficiency of farm operations

• Farmgate-to-fork, addressing underlying issues of farming through technology. Examples of these underlying issues are crop loss between farm and market or lack of quality standards

• Data governance, everything related to the collection, management or distribution of data

After an overview of the currently existing agritech solutions, the report goes into depth about some challenges and issues in adopting agritech, such as the unwillingness of small farmers to adopt these solutions due to the lack of clearness in the returns. At the same time, the paper highlights the need to implement agritech on a larger scale to deal with the challenges brought forth by climate change and natural disasters. A multistakeholder approach, including governments, the private sector – including start-ups and investors – academia and civil society, is needed to scale up agritech solutions.

The OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2024 (Volume 1) provides an in-depth look at the fast-paced advancements in digital technologies that reshape our economy and society. Central to this transformation is the ICT sector, which has grown three times faster than the overall economy in the past decade, driven by innovations in big data and machine learning.

Moreover, the report identifies artificial intelligence (AI) as a significant force for future productivity and scientific progress. However, it also highlights the accompanying risks related to trust, fairness, and privacy, emphasising the need for responsible AI development and comprehensive national AI strategies. Next-generation wireless networks, including 5G, are closely linked to these advancements, essential for handling the vast amounts of data generated by new technologies. These networks provide high-quality internet access, particularly in rural areas, thereby helping to bridge connectivity divides.

The report also addresses the uneven adoption of digital technologies across various sectors and demographics. It calls for policies that ensure equitable access and digital skills development to promote inclusive growth. In addition, immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) are explored for their potential to create unique experiences, though they also present risks. The report emphasises the importance of privacy and safety measures, especially for vulnerable groups.

Lastly, the impact of digital environments on mental health is discussed, with a focus on the rising negative behaviours online that mainly affect girls. The report underscores the need for balanced and safe use of digital technologies.

The report is structured as follows:

• Chapter 1 provides data and forecasts about the growth of the ICT sector

• Chapter 2 examines current and expected trends in AI development

• The first Spotlight gives an overview of emerging trends in next-generation wireless networks

• Chapter 3 analyses issues and relative solutions about inclusivity and productivity in digital technologies and data

• Chapter 4 showcases the benefits and the downsides of Virtual Reality

• The second Spotlight analyses the link between digital environments and negative behaviours

Digital transformation profoundly impacts the skills required from managers and the relationship between the managers and their team members. The authors of this study interviewed executive managers from companies established in Italy and Austria to find out their views on how digital transformation will impact their role and how they interface with their team members.

According to the study’s findings, due to the rise of work-from-home options, leaders need to actively try to establish an emotional relationship with their team members to create an environment built on trust. Moreover, building on this, team leaders must give enough time for informal information exchanges during meetings.

On the skills side, leaders need to have change management skills to shape and harness the potential of the digital transformation. Moreover, due to the physical distance, managers must have strong leadership skills to exert enough influence to deal with conflicts quickly and ensure that the individual actions align with the company’s strategy.

The paper is structured as follows:

• Section 1 introduces the relevant literature and theoretical background

• Section 2 presents the methodology

• Section 3 illustrates the results and the conclusion of the study