How does the world change with the advent of IoT devices — The Internet of things
Background information:
With the advent of novel technologies such as metaverse, artificial intelligence and machine learning, interconnecting everything becomes possible. This idea induces the phrase ‘The Internet of Things’ (IoT). According to Somayya Madakam, it is a ‘network intelligent object’ that can adapt to the changing environment automatically. Therefore, this definition inspires me a consideration whether IoT will benefit or worse our lives. The following sections will examine the implications of lives in this digital world in the context of IoT critically.
· IoT devices — automation or unemployment?
Overall, Maisie claimed in his medium post that the introduction and application of automation are inevitable. I concur with the idea that data and algorithms are everywhere in our lives. Notably, ‘over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created daily.’ Thus, without personal interventions during the data exchange and communication, this IoT’s lifecycle is more likely to induce ‘automation’. Meanwhile, a question has arisen: what is the potential relationship between the application of IoT (i.e. automation) and employment?
Keynes[1] states that introducing efficient and productive technology will be the new labour force. Therefore, it could argue that no matter positive or negative, automation will definitively affect employment status. This idea has been supported by the PwC’s research that 30% of UK jobs will be impacted by automation by the mid-2030s. These statistics strengthen the influence of the application of IoT. It is reasonable to believe that automation provides employers with a new efficient employee structure to reduce labour costs. Thus, it is reasonable to claim that automation benefits employers. However, automation might make employees unemployed, and the competition for a job might be much fiercer than before without automatic machines.
However, Manyika[2] claims that technological changes will create demand for labour. This though supported by David[3] that the raised output because of automation requires more labour. Consequently, the idea that automation will only negatively affect the employees is uncomprehensive. Ben[4] confirms this idea that the new recent wave of automation is only a period of transition, and unemployment is temporary and technological. In my opinion, the advent of automation requires a high-standard and skilled workforce because of the economic and social change in society. Thus, the concerns that automation will substitute for the workforce will be alleviated.
Consequently, it could argue that IoT applications will potentially affect employment status. In the short-run, it will cause a shortage of employees because of the application of high-efficient automatic machines. However, in the long-run, automation requires high-skilled employees to monitor and supervise it. This process creates the demand for labour. Subsequently, a delicate balance between the loss and creation of employment because of the potential application of IoT should be maintained.
· IoT devices — efficiency or potential security issues?
IoT is an excellent tool for connecting different devices to the cloud and making the provider of services and infrastructure more efficient and flexible. According to Christos[5] that the IoT embedded in cloud computing will be twice more efficient as the conventional method to transmit information. Therefore, I agree with Ryan in the post on the medium that IoT will provide many benefits to us, which include optimisation of cloud accessibility. This idea shows the positive side of IoT devices. However, the dark side of IoT devices should also be emphasised.
The application of IoT devices causes concerns. Sjoerd clarifies that security issues are inevitable from IoT devices. One of the obvious causes of such an issue is vulnerabilities. It is reasonable to assume that with more software bugs, the security of IoT device users cannot be ensured. Potentially, the security issues of IoT devices seem to outweigh the benefits of IoT. Additionally, research conducted by Mansour[6] shows that the users’ trust has a positive correlation with the belief in security. This reflects the importance of IoT security. Therefore, it could argue that the more security protections, the more users would trust and use IoT devices.
Moreover, the privacy of usagers has been undermined as Clarke says.[7] Potentially, IoT devices such as Ring, will transform public space into a supervised space. Possibly, nearby people or neighbours’ lives are under monitoring. The authorised users and officers will be able to see and hear the record in IoT. In my idea, it is fair to say that the application of this device seems to undermine the ‘the Right of Private Life’. From this perspective, more caution should be put on the application of IoT.
In conclusion, the benefits exist with potential problems, and both of them are inevitable topics for the application of IoT. In my opinion, we should put more attention to improving the security protocols of IoT devices and try to protect the safety of users through IoT devices.
Reflection:
Initially, I have no idea how digital society would affect us to such a great extent. For example, I used to think that digitalisation will always bring benefits to us such as in the digital fitness industry, digitalisation will the training session more accessible. However, during learning the modules such as the Internet of Things, I realised that digitalisation will cause the loss of employment because of automation as well as automation will cause the demand for labour.
Additionally, I never thought that there are positive and negative digital engagement analyses I always thought that what posts through the Internet is the best way for the individual or the organisation has been achieved. The truth is that there is always space for improvement and different people have different focuses. All these analyses help me to build my critical analysis and thinking skills.
Furthermore, I found the assessment method of this course to be very interesting and different from other courses. Differing from specific subject tasks, the writing style is quite refreshing. I have never encountered a task to ask me to write a blog which is a more relaxed writing style, in which I could have more personal opinions. Especially, when there are conflicts between the thoughts it motivates me to think about which side is right. Interestingly, I have found that every time, when I critically analyse conflicting thoughts, I always found that every side has its advantages and disadvantages. Thus, I believe this process helps me to critically think about the digital world as well as the opinions of different people.
Apart from the assessment style of the modules, the actual context of the modules is really meaningful. Since I am interested in digital topics, it makes me easier to find something interesting between different digital topics. For example, in the third assessment, I made a connection between automation and employment when I notice the concept of ‘IoT’. Also, when I read the article about machine learning, I starts to wonder whether there is a possibility that the machine would build their minds and thinking pattern in the future. These topics inspire me to think deeper and wider. Especially, in the topic of ‘the rise of simulated spaces,’ I know more about the metaverse which I think is a crucial topic in the current digitalisation society. I believe these thinking patterns cultivate independent thinking skills. Conclusively, these modules provide me with an opportunity to learn about digital society from different perspectives, namely, digital engagement, digital identity and digital ethics etc.
Soon, I think critical thinking and analysis skills will help me to think about the world critically. When I encounter a media post I will no longer accept the perception of the media as once, I will first have my thoughts and then see what the media posts and see how the differences between our thoughts.
[1] John Maynard Keynes, The Collected Writing of a Treatise on Money in Two Volumes 1 The Pure Theory of Money (AMS Press: New York, 1930).
[2] James Manyika and others, ‘Disruptive Technologies: Advances that will Transform Life, Business, and the Global Economy’ (McKinsey Digital, 1 May 2013) <https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/mckinsey%20digital/our%20insights/disruptive%20technologies/mgi_disruptive_technologies_full_report_may2013.ashx> accessed 2 April 2023.
[3] David H Autor, ‘Why are there still so many jobs? The history and future of workplace automation’, (2005) 39(3) The Journal of Economic Perspectives 3.
[4] Ben Vermeulen and others, ‘The impact of automation on employment: just the usual structural change?’ (2018) 10(5) Sustainability 1.
[5] Christos Stergiou and others, ‘Security, privacy & efficiency of sustainable cloud computing for big data & IT’ (2018) 19 Sustainable Computing: Informatics and Systems 174.
[6] Mansour Maser Alraja, Murtaza Mohuiddin Junaid Farooque and Basel Khashab, ‘The effect of security, privacy, familiarity, and trust on users’ attitudes toward the use of the IoT-based healthcare: The mediation role of risk perception’ (2019) 7 IEEE Access 111341.
[7] Dan Milmo, ‘Amazon ask Ring owner to respect privacy after court rules usage broke law’ (The Guardian, 14 Oct 2021) <https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/14/amazon-asks-ring-owners-to-respect-privacy-after-court-rules-usage-broke-law> accessed 2 April 2023.
