Transition to a Smart Industry: Environmental and Social Challenges
摘要
Facing challenges such as enhancing process efficiency, meeting the rising demand for customization, managing complex supply chains, and coping with increased competition, manufacturers have turned to smart technologies. While this transition brings substantial benefits in terms of efficiency and innovation, it also introduces significant drawbacks, including higher greenhouse gas emissions, greater energy consumption, and increased carbon emissions from data centers and electronic production. Additionally, automation can lead to substantial job losses, particularly in manual labor sectors. For SMEs, these issues are exacerbated by financial constraints and limited technical expertise. Thus, developing suitable solutions, exploring available funding, and implementing training programs are crucial. This article will provide an overview of the environmental and social sustainability challenges associated with the rise of smart technologies, with a brief focus on the specific challenges faced by SMEs.