4 out of 5 experts canvassed recently by the Pew Research Center believe that the Internet of Things (IoTs) will have widespread and beneficial effects on our everyday lives by 2025.
The Internet of Things will reduce inefficiencies in our transport systems—which means less waiting for the train!
The Pew Research Center Internet Project asked experts and stakeholders an open-ended question about the future of the Internet by 2025:
The evolution of embedded devices and the Internet/Cloud of Things—As billions of devices, artifacts, and accessories are networked, will the Internet of Things have widespread and beneficial effects on the everyday lives of the public by 2025?
83% of the 1,606 respondents answered “yes,” while 17% answered “no.”
The Pew Research also found that respondents think the IoT will be deeply imbedded within our environment—becoming less visible as it becomes more important—“like electricity.”
The Pew Research Center has synthesized the many experts responses, finding that most agree there will be:
- A global, immersive, invisible, ambient networked computing environment built through the continued proliferation of smart sensors, cameras, software, databases, and massive data centers in a world-spanning information fabric known as the Internet of Things.
- “Augmented reality” enhancements to the real-world input that people perceive through the use of portable/wearable/implantable technologies.
- Disruption of business models established in the 20th century (most notably impacting finance, entertainment, publishers of all sorts, and education).
- Tagging, databasing, and intelligent analytical mapping of the physical and social realms.
The experts also expect to see the IoT evident in many places we are familiar with, including:
- our bodies (e.g. wearables)
- our homes (e.g. smart appliances)
- our communities (e.g. transport systems)
- goods and services (e.g. smoothing of manufacturing processes)
- the environment (e.g. pollution or soil moisture monitoring).
These findings don’t come as a much of a surprise to us at WP Engine. We’ve been excited about the future possibilities of the Internet of Things for a while now.
The Pew Research Center Internet Project has embarked on a sustained year of research in 2014 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the World Wide Web by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. This Internet of Things report comprises part of that project.
How would you answer the question: will the Internet of Things have widespread and beneficial effects on the everyday lives of the public by 2025?
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