By: John Shepler

The Internet of Things (IoT) is currently a popular topic in the tech world. There’s a lot of discussion about connecting everything to the internet, but some are urging caution and calling for standards and bandwidth. While many believe we’re on the brink of a technological revolution, history suggests we should be cautious about assuming only positive outcomes. Could there be negative consequences to the rise of the IoT?

Is This Predictable?

One major challenge is the sheer volume of objects. In the past, there were concerns about overpopulation. While that crisis hasn’t happened as predicted, it’s worth considering the rapid increase in the number of objects.

An Abundance of Objects to Consider

The number of things greatly surpasses the human population. Think about your household: the number of objects likely outnumbers the people by a significant margin.

Currently, we connect devices like computers and phones to the internet. In the future, it could be everything from appliances and lights to every door and fixture, vehicles, infrastructure, and more. This extends beyond homes; businesses and industries are incorporating internet-connected devices into office equipment and machinery.

“Hmmm. Has anyone seen my stapler?” “Just ping it, Milton.”

Concerning Implications to Consider

The potential for constant surveillance increases with the IoT. Smartwatches and augmented reality glasses offer convenience but also provide opportunities for data collection and monitoring by employers or others with access. While previous generations worried about government surveillance, today’s concern centers around the vast amount of data collected by internet-connected devices and the potential for misuse.

The Uncertain Future of IT Departments

The rise of the IoT initially seems promising for IT professionals. However, the shift towards cloud computing and the increasing sophistication of interconnected devices raise questions about the long-term need for human intervention.

Artificial intelligence (AI) allows devices to become increasingly self-sufficient. While robots are often depicted as a threat, a more realistic concern is the division of labor. Machines could potentially manage manufacturing, maintenance, and decision-making processes, leaving humans with a diminished role.

The Role of Humans in an Automated World

Historically, technology served human needs. However, as machines become more interconnected and intelligent through the IoT, their reliance on human input may lessen.

With widespread communication and data sharing through the IoT, machines could potentially access and process information faster than humans. This raises questions about the future role of humans in a world increasingly managed by intelligent machines.

Ultimately, the concern centers around the convergence of big data, automated manufacturing, real-time sensing, data processing, physical control, distributed artificial intelligence, and the communication network provided by the IoT.

It’s understandable why prominent figures like Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and Bill Gates have issued warnings about the potential risks posed by AI and the IoT. Their concerns echo earlier warnings from scientists like Albert Einstein about the potential dangers of atomic energy. The concern now is not just about overpopulation, but about the potential consequences of a vast network of interconnected devices communicating with each other—the IoT.

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