IoT bridges digital barriers

IoT, or the Internet of Things, is an area where technology’s potential as an equalizer is particularly evident. In a time when equality is more important than ever, we all realize that it is something we must cherish and actively defend. Technology can serve as one of the most powerful drivers of our time for equality – and IoT is one of the areas where this becomes most noticeable, not least because it is my area of expertise.

IoT not only creates new business models — it also shapes society. But we still have some way to go. Many people first come into contact with IoT through a private interest in technology, and that is a problem in itself – because IoT is for everyone, not just enthusiasts. IoT has a value that extends far beyond technology and should concern everyone.

But I see signs of change. During a workshop with IoT World earlier this year, some LIA students described how they had started using IoT in their everyday lives. It made me think about the journey of WiFi. In the late 90s, wireless was banned in many workplaces — unsafe, they said. But when technology became commonplace at home, working life followed suit. That development can now be repeated with IoT. When we use sensors, connected charging stations, energy optimization in a broad front real time at home it can normalize technology — and open the door to a more equal, accessible digital infrastructure on a broad front.

But there is a paradox. IoT promised an open, data-sharing world where machines collaborated to create smarter wholes. They would accelerate development. Unfortunately, today we see increasing protectionism instead. Data is seen as an asset to be locked up rather than shared. This not only threatens innovation — it also slows down the IoT’s potential to contribute to equality.

It's a shame, because the potential is there. I've seen how IoT is improving care for the elderly: sensors in the home, combined with digital meetings, have reduced costs and increased security. I've been involved in school projects where sensors have been used to give students equal opportunities to perform. And I've followed developments in agriculture, where data from the field can give small farmers access to loans and insurance they were previously denied.

At the same time, there are risks. Bias in AI models can reinforce existing inequalities if we don't understand how data is collected and used. This makes transparency and openness crucial.

IoT can become a force for equality, but only if we consciously shapes the technology That requires open data platforms, investments in education and concrete decisions about directing technological development where it makes the biggest difference. Because the question is not whether IoT can contribute to equality. The question is how we ensure that it actually happens.

For those who want to read more on the subject, I can recommend this article who goes into depth on the subjecte.g.