Over the past decades, the rise of a networked society has been driven by rapid advancements in information and communication technology, particularly in computer networking. This has enabled unprecedented hyper-connectivity among organizations, individuals, smart machines, and intelligent systems. As a result, new forms of collaboration have emerged, composed of distributed, autonomous, and heterogeneous entities. This evolution led to the establishment of Collaborative Networks (CNs) as a distinct discipline with a socio-technical character. Nowadays CNs play a key role in the ongoing digital transformation across industries and services. Although still a relatively young field, CNs have evolved through several generations over the past decades. As we move toward Industry 5.0, the complexity of interactions among a diverse range of agents continues to intensify. This article provides a brief overview of these trends, highlighting the role of CNs in the materialization of the goals of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0.