Saying that digital is disrupting our world is no longer disruptive. The World Economic Forum’s most recent study on the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 –launched in June– painted a picture of a future full of opportunities, including the use of AI for scientific discovery, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces or integrated sensing and communication. A multitude of choices… And yet, many businesses find that the key to defining their future is figuring out what the next step actually entails. Which course of action is best?
Let’s be honest: Predicting that the next big thing in digital transformation will be related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) or edge intelligence -if you prefer-; that IoT devices equipped with AI technologies will become increasingly autonomous, capable of making decisions and taking actions without human intervention; that technologies like 6G and satellite internet will enable even more pervasive connectivity; that simulations will help businesses remodel different scenarios and make data-driven decisions; that security and privacy will be enhanced with blockchain and a more ethical AI; and that biometrics and AR/VR will enhance user experiences is the easy part. Take ChatGPT or any other AI-powered conversational chatbot and just ask the question.
Alfons Cornella, Founder of the Institute of Next, says that two well-defined techno spheres are taking shape in the world -The US and China-, and that in 2048 we will use quantum computers, technology will be invisible in everyday life, robots will be our companions and space will be a field with many options to discover. However, Nicholas Thompson points out that the last generation of technologies seem to help empower authoritarianism at the expense of democracy. At least in the media realm.
In the meantime, many social media posts are urging businesses to integrate AI into their operations. After all, if ChatGPT can use a snapshot of your fridge to advise a lunch menu, it might also recommend how to maximize your supplies.
In this opinion-overload scenario, what should businesses prioritize? When there are so many choices and opportunities what is the next level? This is the actual question.
Joan Mayans, Digital Ethnographer, and Communications Manager, puts it a different way: “Maybe the question is not what’s next, but what’s less.” “Everywhere I look, either as a corporate professional or as an ethnographer, I see business agendas and minds stressed out to the max. Welcome will be the technology that simplifies our tasks,” he says.
In this sense, the Internet of Things (IoT) is delivering on its promise of enabling a transformative change, be it in manufacturing, energy and utilities, smart homes and smart buildings, transportation and logistics, or healthcare. And as we move forward, the convergence of IoT with other emerging technologies, and particularly AI, is poised to create a future where devices are more intelligent, and things look easier to do.
Carles Gómara, Innovation Manager at ACCIÓ, the Catalan Government’s agency for business competitiveness, considers that being able to organically communicate to machines will be a significant step forward in understanding what’s going on in a manufacturing line or why they aren’t operating.
Focus on the basics
That said, Matt Domo, CEO and Founder of FifthVantage as well as one of the founders of Amazon AWS, makes it clear that “as with any emerging technology decision, such as the AI approach, it’s crucial to focus on the basics before making any decisions: what scenario you want to support, who would benefit from your investment, why they would benefit, and how.”
For example, “If you need quick, real-time, low-latency responses, insights, and actions, on-device AI and Edge AI are the way to go. These approaches reduce network traffic and improve security by minimizing data sent to the cloud for processing. Also, Cloud AI is a great approach for tasks that demand large computational power, centralized data management, and compliance with privacy regulations”, he says.
In addition, “integrating AI chipsets and the necessary software infrastructure into edge computing brings decision-making closer to the data source, allowing for new IoT applications like machine vision and enabling digital twins.”
And yet, at the end of the day, companies need to “focus on tangible value, not just the speed of innovation or buzzwords.”
According to this technology futurist, “if done well, technology is always an enabler and the ultimate means to an end.” And that is surely something to keep in mind.
Yet as philosopher José María Lasalle highlights, first we might need to “empower all individuals with the skills to understand and work with AI critically. The ultimate goal is to ensure that humans can lead AI towards a meaningful direction.”
This is where the IOT Solutions World Congress, to be held in Barcelona 13-15 May 2025, plays its part. The event is committed to easing connections and networking so attendees can discuss the latest advancements and make informed decisions. To continue reflecting face-to-face on the challenges and opportunities arising from adopting intelligence, in any form…