On the essence and content of the fourth industrial revolution

The article presents the results of the study of the essential characteristics of the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. At the moment it is a new evolutionary stage of development not only of industrial production, but of the whole economy. Understanding the key drivers of the development of the fourth technological revolution will make it possible to predict the main directions of enterprise development and make appropriate management decisions. The article also addresses the retrospective of development and the factors that led to the formation of the fourth industrial revolution and, accordingly, to the development of the digital economy. The positive and negative aspects and risks associated with the digitalization of all aspects of human life were assessed. The basis for obtaining information was the work of both domestic and foreign scientists studying this field, as well as publications in which the issues of introduction of information technologies in the production of enterprises are considered. The results of the study concluded that the idea of digitalization of society is becoming a reality and its introduction is taking place at a rapid pace and, despite certain problems, it can give huge competitive opportunities in various spheres of activity.