Gartner Research

The Internet of Things Is Giving Technology a Voice and a Vote

Published: 08 October 2014

ID: G00270088

Analyst(s): Stephen Prentice

Summary

The proliferation of connected smart devices as part of the Internet of Things is enabling a future of autonomous decision making by machines as active participants in our world. The disruptive impact on business will be even greater than the consumerization of IT.

Table Of Contents
  • Impacts

Analysis

Impacts and Recommendations

  • The number of connected intelligent devices is growing exponentially, giving "smart things" the ability to sense, interpret, communicate and negotiate, and effectively have a digital "voice" — compelling CIOs to look for opportunities to create new services, usage scenarios and business models based on this growth
  • As the capabilities of smart things increases, they will more and more be relied on to advise the correct course of action or to make decisions autonomously — forcing CIOs to examine where and when smart things should replace human choice within the organization
  • Vesting decision-making rights in smart things raises complex legal and ethical issues with strong political and societal impact — requiring CIOs to work with business leaders to resolve these issues

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