Internet of Things will be as big as Artificial Intelligence in 2024

By Rafael de Albuquerque.

Sam Altman and new artificial intelligences have dominated the stages of the tech world since last year and into 2024. But I must make this appeal: Don’t forget the Internet of Things. The term, which is short for Internet of Things, is a concept that refers to the interconnection of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, sensors, software and other objects via the internet.

These devices collect and share data, often autonomously, creating a communication ecosystem between machines; It’s a scenario that the Jetsons began predicting in 1960. Since we already use virtual assistants and smart watches like Alexa, this is not a very futuristic thing for today’s world. We dominate the market and have been able to do laundry remotely for several years.

I’m not saying we should forget about AI. Rather, this is part of the IoT revolution scenario, but understanding the concept of hyperconnection of devices and its possibilities in the near future is very important for any professional in the industry and even for anyone who wants to take a look at something that did not exist before. everyday life is far away.

According to Ericsson, We will have at least 15.7 billion IoT connections by the end of 2023 – There were 13.4 billion in 2022 – With a prediction of 38.9 billion for 2029, 6 years from now, 16% annual growth. So what exactly does this mean for the world? If you think you have everything in the palm of your hand, get ready to truly experience this concept.

The industry will be closer to an optimization leap forward, which is already being worked on, but previous connectivity technologies such as 3G and 4G will be less effective. With the introduction and adoption of 5G, in addition to other new connectivity technologies for sensors and devices, professionals will have an unprecedented amount of data on their hands that will require adaptation.

Whether it is in the cloud infrastructure, the technologies used, or even the number of employees allocated to the task, working with data in companies will gain a much greater dimension. For those who haven’t started preparing yet, it’s an old tech story: You’re already late.

For the end viewer, the connection with ordinary objects will change dramatically. We will connect to devices that we would never even think of connecting to before, with a sneaker to measure how well we run, or even medical sensors that will tell us more about our health than we currently understand.

Discussions on the topic are already ongoing at different levels of society, and like artificial intelligence, we need to regulate early, as well as understand the cultural, public policy and ethical needs for this new reality, so that there can be a transition that does not get worse. Technology exceeds human needs.

In short, the Internet of Things is a transformative force that is reshaping modern society, and this is nothing new. For example, the first smartwatch was designed in 1977, and we’ve been seeing newer models for at least 10 years, alongside washing machines, refrigerators, and other connected devices already present in our daily lives.

The potential to revolutionize industries, improve quality of life and foster innovation is clear. However, challenges such as cybersecurity and ethical privacy issues require priority attention.

To ensure that IoT benefits society broadly, Focusing on digital inclusion, data protection and responsible and ethical approaches is essential In the development and application of this technology. With a renewed commitment to security, ethics, and accessibility, IoT can continue to shape a more connected and collaborative future for everyone.

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Rafael de Albuquerque is the founder and CEO of Zoox Smart Data, a Data and Analytics company with operations in 22 countries and more than 1,600 customers. He attended Babson College Entrepreneur School and ATDC Georgia Tech and is currently a member of ScaleUp Endeavor, an accelerator program for Brazil’s fastest-growing companies.