What Was World Internet of Things Day?

In case you missed it April 9^th was “World Internet of Things Day,” as decreed by the IoT Council. The first time the IoT Council held “IoT Day” was 15 years ago in 2010, so the theme for this year is, “The next 15 years”.

Objectives of IoT Day:

• Promote Understanding: Enhance public knowledge about IoT technologies and their applications in everyday life.
• Encourage Collaboration: Provide a platform for industry experts, policymakers, and the general public to exchange ideas and insights related to IoT developments.
• Highlight Innovations: Showcase advancements in IoT that contribute to sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and smart cities.

Participation and Activities:

IoT Day is celebrated worldwide through various events and initiatives, including:

• Workshops and Seminars: Educational sessions focusing on IoT trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Panel Discussions: Forums where experts deliberate on the societal and economic implications of IoT.
• Networking Events: Gatherings that facilitate connections among IoT enthusiasts, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

These activities aim to bring IoT topics into public discourse, encouraging collaborative efforts to harness IoT technologies for societal benefit. The funny thing about the theme is we have no shortage of people who feel they have a vision of the future (me included). Here is summary of the topics of the 30 “self-organized” events.

Topics include (An apology, for in the wisdom of the IOT council, most links were internal only):

• AIoT Sustainability
• Artificial Intelligence
• Choosing a service provider
• Generative AI in Things
• Hands on DIY
• Healthcare
• Identity Management
• Law Enforcement Cybercrimes best practices.
• Overcoming Obstacles with AI
• Regulation
• Robotics
• Securing Edge AI Updates
• Smart Buildings
• Smart Irrigation
• Space based Transport Management
• Supply Chain Security
• Sustainability
• Women in AI

The 15-year anniversary theme, “The Next Fifteen Years,” prompts reflection on the evolution of IoT over the past decade-and-a-half, while also encouraging forward-looking discussions on the integration of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), and nature-based solutions into the IoT ecosystem. The focus is on envisioning a future where IoT contributes to a nature-positive economy, enhanced governance, and improved societal well-being.

One thing that strikes me is that the themes seem to be five years out, not 15 years out. Quantum (News - Alert) Computing, Analog Computing, Spectrum Sharing and other data center innovations strike me as 15 years out, but the reality is we all want to think about the near future.

How to Get Involved:

Individuals and organizations can participate in IoT Day by:

• Organizing Events: Host local meetups, webinars, or panel discussions to explore IoT topics relevant to your community or industry.
• Engaging Online: Share insights, articles, and discussions on social media platforms using the hashtag #IoTDay to connect with the global IoT community.
• Collaborating with Educational Institutions: Partner with schools and universities to introduce IoT concepts to students through workshops or lectures.

I am making a commitment to do something next April 9^th and, if you share with me what you are doing, I will be happy to publicize it.

The council is in Europe and they have parts of the world participating, but nothing I saw was in North America. I am hoping others will join me in the commitment for next year.