For a long time, the emphasis has been on numbers. In 2016, when approximately 11 billion devices were connected to the internet, International Data Corporation (IDC) anticipated that by 2025 that figure will skyrocket to 80 billion. The number has propagated through several media. Others have adjusted to the latest statistics. Yet, with advancements in edge computing, 5G/6G connectivity, AI integration, and expanding interoperability, is this what we really need to focus on? What is the next level?
IoT has certainly delivered on its promises. As you read this article, approximately 152,000 smart devices should be connecting to the internet every minute. And yet, today, it’s no longer about numbers. Or, at least, it shouldn’t be, as the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) has shifted from sheer connectivity to contextual intelligence, automation, and sustainability.
“We need to prioritize quality over quantity”, says Emanuela Girardi, Founder at Pop AI, President of the AI Data Robotics Association and speaker at IOT Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC) 2025, to be held in Barcelona 13-15 May. For her, “the next level of IoT infrastructure is centered on integration rather than pure expansion.”
That includes discussing the belle of the tech ball: artificial intelligence (AI). Devices are becoming increasingly autonomous, capable of complex decision-making without continuous cloud connectivity, thus reducing latency and bandwidth usage.
That enables, for example, dynamic inventory and better warehouse management for a company, as IoT sensors can continuously track stock levels and movement, while AI predicts demand patterns and suggests optimal stock placement to minimize picking times. But it also allows tracking pollution hotspots in real time in a city in order to reroute traffic or activate green spaces that absorb pollutants.
Additionally, the integration of sophisticated language models into humanoid robots expands applications across industries and daily life. And AI is enabling sensor networks to generate actionable insights through federated learning, reducing data collection needs while ensuring secure knowledge-sharing.
Intelligent autonomous systems
All these developments are shaking the entire innovation ecosystem. “We are moving beyond simply connecting devices to creating intelligent, autonomous systems that interact with and navigate the physical world”, points out Girardi.
“The convergence of IoT with AI, particularly embodied AI and robotics, marks one of the most transformative advancements in this ecosystem. This is evident in the increasing number of humanoid robotics startups receiving significant investment from major tech companies, showing strong industry confidence in this evolution,” she insists.
However, the President of the AI Data Robotics Association acknowledges that “advancing ‘acting AI’ systems capable of adaptive, real-world decision-making requires new AI paradigms and comprehensive security frameworks that enhance reliability, robustness, and trustworthiness in physical environments”.
On top of that, it’s also crucial to bear in mind that cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and that “expanding IoT [and AI] without addressing core concerns such as security, privacy, and cost-efficiency creates more vulnerabilities than benefits,” says Girardi.
Security is key
Carles Miranda, Industry 4.0 & Sustainability Manager at ACCIÓ, the Catalan Government’s agency for business competitiveness, echoes that sentiment: “Companies must guarantee the security and data integrity of their installed devices as well as ensure their interoperability.”
Then, “when integrating AI, make sure they build a protected private environment to maximize security, efficiency, and sustainability, as energy consumption is also something to be aware of,” he points out.
Ultimately, any change or expansion necessitates “a clear vision” of the company’s requirements and its “ultimate objectives”, says Miranda. However, this may not always align with the market’s demand for increasing speed.
Be that as it may, at the end of the day, transitioning from simply connecting devices to creating a truly interconnected ecosystem that improves our lives while considering ethical aspects and a human-centered approach requires careful reflection. Put another way: sensors need sensibility. IOTSWC25 will prove that it’s possible.
Article by: Anna Solana