The Internet of Things will make it easier for
many people to participate in a connected life, but not everyone is interested in that route.
While it’s only human to connect and it even can be addictive, some people will opt out
before it happens, according to a new study.
The study comprised a survey of 1,200 technologists, scholars, practitioners, strategic thinkers and other leaders conducted by Pew Research Center
and Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center.
Researchers identified seven major themes on the future of the Internet of Things and connected life:
- People crave
connections and convenience and a tech-linked world serves both goals well
- Unplugging is nearly impossible now and by 2026, it will be even tougher
- Risk is part of life and the
Internet of Things will be accepted, despite dangers, because most people don’t expect they will experience a worst-case scenario
- More people will be connected and more will withdraw
or refuse to participate
- Human ingenuity and risk-mitigation strategies will make the Internet of Things safer
- Notable numbers will disconnect
- Whether or not people
disconnect, the dangers are real and security and privacy issues will be magnified by the rapid rise of the Internet of Things
An interesting insight in the study is that a significant
number (15%) of the population will disconnect, while 85% will move more deeply into connected life, according to the experts’ opinions.
Some of those surveyed predicted a trend of some
people becoming more connected but then pulling back after they face some serious IoT-connected infrastructure problems, while others suggested IoT technology will not advance enough to be ready for
wide adoption by 2026.
One of the more sobering predictions in the study is that many of those surveyed say there will be more attacks with more devastating results as billions more things and
people become interconnected and systems become more complex and difficult to manage.
Those 15% who are not confident that the Internet of Things will be safe enough to earn consumer trust,
express concern that the people behind the IoT creation aren’t willing to invest the resources needed to minimize IoT problems.
There’s still some work ahead.