IoT, or the Internet of Things, is an area where technology’s potential as a driver of equality becomes particularly clear. In a time when equality matters more than ever, we all recognize the need to protect and actively promote it. Technology can be one of the most powerful forces for equality today — and IoT is one of the fields where this potential is most evident, not least because it is my area of expertise.
IoT does more than create new business models — it reshapes society. Yet we still have a way to go. Many people encounter IoT first through a private tech interest, and that is a problem in itself — IoT should be for everyone, not only enthusiasts. Its value goes far beyond gadgets and should concern the whole of society.
I do see signs of change. During a workshop with IoT World earlier this year, some students on industry placements described how they had begun to use IoT in everyday life. That reminded me of the path Wi‑Fi took. In the late 1990s, wireless networks were banned in many workplaces as “unsafe.” When the technology became commonplace at home, workplaces adapted. The same pattern can repeat with IoT. Widespread use of sensors, connected charging stations, and real‑time energy optimization at home can normalize the technology — opening the door to a more equal, accessible digital infrastructure across society.
Still, there is a paradox. IoT was originally promised as an open, data‑sharing world where machines cooperate to create smarter systems and accelerate progress. Today we are, unfortunately, seeing increasing protectionism. Data is treated as an asset to be locked away rather than shared. That trend threatens innovation and undermines IoT’s capacity to contribute to equality.
That is a real loss, because the potential is tangible. I have seen IoT improve care for the elderly: sensors in homes combined with digital consultations have reduced costs and increased safety. I have participated in school projects where sensors helped create equal learning conditions for students. I have also followed developments in agriculture where field data 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 do not understand how data is collected and used. For that reason, transparency and oversight are essential.
IoT can become a force for equality, but only if we intentionally steer the technology in that direction. That requires open data platforms, investments in education, and concrete policy decisions that direct technological development where it can make the greatest difference. The question is not whether IoT can contribute to equality — the question is how we ensure it actually does.
For those who want to explore the topic further, I recommend reading the referenced article that examines IoT and equality in greater depth.