At 39 years old, the internet is still a wild organism of sweeping cultural change. Despite doomsayers warning about its perils, the web continues to be an invaluable source of information for consumers and a fertile space for spreading ideas for business and art.
Ubiquitous connectivity will transform media and societies worldwide. GMF Digital surveyed experts and technology builders about where the internet will be in 2025.
The Internet of Things
The Internet of Things, or IoT, is the rapidly growing network of connected devices that can monitor and communicate with each other. It includes everything from smart appliances and cars to digital health monitors and baby monitors.
The IoT can help businesses save money, improve customer service and automate processes to increase productivity. It also allows them to track and monitor operations surrounding infrastructure like best casino sites usa structural buildings, bridges and electrical systems.
But there are also concerns around privacy, security and cyber policy. Some people fear that IoT could be used to monitor individuals’ daily activities and personal choices in a way that is reminiscent of Big Brother. It is an issue that is being debated in many countries worldwide, including the United States and China. Those who are pushing for IoT to be regulated say that it would protect users from data-driven advertising and potentially limit government censorship. It is also argued that it will allow governments to respond more quickly to crises by deploying resources.
The Internet of Everything
The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a world where physical objects have digital intelligence. Thanks to cheap computer chips and wireless technology, kitchen appliances, cars, baby monitors and other devices can communicate with each other and the web of systems that surround them.
The IoT connects people, process and data, enabling real-time decision making and automation. It is an increasingly common way to create connected experiences in our digitized world, but it is also a powerful tool for repressive or authoritarian governments that want to control and limit freedom of expression.
US tech giant Meta, for example, has poured billions into developing best australian casinos the next generation of the internet. But digital rights activists fear that the company and other tech giants will use this new architecture to expand their market power, and limit users’ freedom of speech and privacy. They point to the use of platforms like Facebook and Instagram for spreading hate, swaying democratic elections and amplifying disinformation.
The Internet of People
The internet connects billions of people with unprecedented access to ideas and opportunities, transforming their lives in ways they can’t even imagine. But it also poses serious policy challenges. Some countries use the internet to censor freedom of expression, manipulate elections and repress human rights. Others have built firewalls that block the open internet, limiting citizens’ ability to engage online and offline.
Despite these concerns, the future of the internet is bright. It’s expected to get even faster and more pervasive. The Internet of Things will see billions of physical devices become connected, each with their own digital intelligence and able to communicate real-time data over the internet without human intervention.
This will allow doctors to monitor patients remotely, resulting in better healthcare and shorter waiting times. It will also allow for the development of we arables and augmented reality that provide quick feedback on daily activities, especially those tied to our health. It will also allow us to be more active in our communities, facilitating political change and even public uprisings like the Arab Spring.
The Internet of Data
As the Internet grows up to become the Internet of Things, it will generate massive amounts of data. Tech analyst firm IDC estimates that IoT gadgets will create 79.4 zettabytes of data within five years – from small, bursty updates such as a temperature reading or a smart-meter readout to huge amounts of traffic generated by video surveillance and other industrial devices.
Fortunately, new technology will allow some of this data to be processed on-device rather than sent back to the cloud, or even corporate headquarters – a strategy known as edge computing. This is key to keeping costs down and ensuring high levels of reliability. However, it also poses new privacy risks and raises the bar for how much bandwidth the network needs to offer. The newest, most innovative applications will require low latencies and absolutely secure transmission. A growing number of experts fear that the Internet may not be able to handle this new demand.
