According to a forecast by Statista for 2020, there are some 20.4 billion connected devices worldwide. And their number is growing. Technological progress occurs in networks. Artificial Intelligence (AI), connectivity and digitalization, all three terms describe the same phenomenon from different perspectives.Digital systems constitute the basis for today's communication. Digital data is being created, stored, distributed and processed with the help of modern information technology such as computers, smartphones, communication networks, internet applications and databases. Connectivity increasingly influences human interaction, the working world and the economy. Accordingly, new lifestyles, behavior patterns and business models are being created.[1]

Technology is one of the most influential forces in history but also today. Nowadays, technological progress occurs in networks. Artificial Intelligence (AI), connectivity and digitalization, all three terms describe the same phenomenon from different perspectives. Let's have a look at the different dimensions.

The Black Swan is back – risks in the Supply Chain. The ‘Black Swan’ symbolizes the return of unpredictable incidents with severe and far-reaching impacts. And it happened. Due to Covid-19, the lockdown of cities, regions and factories in the 1st quarter 2020 the world industry suffered from a historic supply chain shock. The Russian aggression in February 2022 on Ukraine caused a disruption of global supply chains. Grain supplies were suspended and gas and oil supplies sanctioned. The delivery with goods, material and upstream products could not been guaranteed any more. The ‘Black Swan’ came back.[1]

Opportunities and risks are two sides of one stone -  Let's dive into the sea of risks and opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic, today’s war in the Ukraine and in Palestine, the effects of climate changes and unpredictable political reactions of governments made it clear. Economic movements no longer follow known patterns or steady flows. Instead, they are driven by abrupt changes in the environment that occur at increasingly shorter intervals. The dangers arising from these changes must be recognized in good time. This requires forward-looking thinking that encourages sustainable actions.  It is therefore important to make out the first signals of change and thus possible chances and risks at an early stage. Only by doing so, it is possible to realize favorable opportunities in due time.