Echoing the famous "The Limits to Growth" report from 1972, this edited volume analyses the changes that the World System has undergone to the present, on the fiftieth anniversary of the original report. During the past fifty years, both the concept and understanding of these limits have significantly changed. This book highlights that the evolution of the World System has approached a new critical milestone, moving into a fundamentally new phase of historical development, when the old economic and social technologies no longer work as efficiently as before or even begin to function counterproductively, which leads the World System into a systemic crisis.  The book discusses the transition of human society to a new phase state, the shape of which has not yet been determined. New approaches are needed for both, for the analysis of the global situation, and for forecasts. The book is based on an integrated approach including the world-systems, historical and evolutionary perspectives, as well as a systematic view of society, in which changes in one subsystem cause transformations in others. Through mathematical modeling, it defines the main vectors of transformations of the World System; makes a detailed forecast of the development of all the main subsystems of the society and the World System, while presenting horizons of changes from short-term to ultra-long-term; and presents different development scenarios as well as recommendations on how to achieve a transition to the most favorable scenario.  The book will appeal to members and followers of the Club of Rome, policy-makers, as well as to scholars from various disciplines interested in a better understanding of the World System evolution, global futures, development studies, climate change, and future societies. 

Nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive sciences are contributing to the emergence of intelligent computers and robots with elements of artificial intelligence and intelligent machines. This book postulates that these developments are accelerating the technological substitution of jobs and the shift in labor demand towards high qualification levels, putting the jobs of lower-skilled labor at risk. The digital economy is poised to increase the demand for highly qualified specialists in STEM fields (scientific research, innovative technologies, engineering, and mathematics serving digital technologies). In addition, highly skilled robotics engineers, AI and machine learning specialists, and virtual and augmented reality architects will be required. This book, using sector-focused mathematical models, explores how the demand for specialized human capital will play a decisive role in increasing the efficiency and productivity of labor in the digital economy. Success is guaranteed to those entrepreneurs who manage to establish a successful process of interaction with intelligent machines, which will require a deep restructuring of the training system for the digital economy.

Nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive sciences are contributing to the emergence of intelligent computers and robots with elements of artificial intelligence and intelligent machines. This book postulates that these developments are accelerating the technological substitution of jobs and the shift in labor demand towards high qualification levels, putting the jobs of lower-skilled labor at risk. The digital economy is poised to increase the demand for highly qualified specialists in STEM fields (scientific research, innovative technologies, engineering, and mathematics serving digital technologies). In addition, highly skilled robotics engineers, AI and machine learning specialists, and virtual and augmented reality architects will be required. This book, using sector-focused mathematical models, explores how the demand for specialized human capital will play a decisive role in increasing the efficiency and productivity of labor in the digital economy. Success is guaranteed to those entrepreneurs who manage to establish a successful process of interaction with intelligent machines, which will require a deep restructuring of the training system for the digital economy.