Problematizing the Adoption of Formal Methods in the 4IR–5IR Transition

Abstract

The adoption of formal methods (FMs) as a software development methodology remains low. Advocates of FMs point to the advantages to be gained by producing highly dependable systems, while critics refer to the steep learning curve required to master the underlying mathematics and logic. The situation was similar for artificial intelligence (AI), but the advent of 4IR–5IR technologies has recently made AI a feasible technology for computing. We believe that the same could hold for FMs. In this article, we considered both the advantages and disadvantages of the use of FMs and unpacked them by problematizing the aspects that need to be considered in the 4IR–5IR worlds to facilitate the use of FMs as a viable software development methodology. We made the case that the 5IR embedding of harmonious collaboration between humans and machines could assist with difficult FM interfaces, similar to how human–computer interaction (HCI) has influenced technical and inflexible systems in the past. Since we view FMs as a technology, we further considered the role to be played by technology adoption, exemplified by the various technology adoption models, e.g., the TOE framework. This article culminates in the formulation of a problematization framework for the adoption of FMs in 4IR–5IR.