Internet of Things (IoT) for Good – what does that mean for Australia?

In this opinion piece, IoT Alliance Australia CEO and NSW Smart Sensing Network Board Member, Frank Zeichner, gives his perspective on IoT for Good.

The application of Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly affected people, society and workplaces already—and we’re only in the early stages of its adoption. By 2030, the value of the IoT is likely to hit the trillions.

While IoT innovation can enable great economic, environmental and positive social change, there are also risks, that the tech has the potential to reinforce biases, bad practices and even exclusion.

As technological disruption and innovation continue to change society and our environments in profound ways, how do we ensure those changes are for the better? And how do we collaborate to try to make sure that the value and benefits are distributed equitably?

In other words, how do we do IoT for Good?

The scope of IoT for Good is enormous and could incorporate how IoT can affect:

  • Environment Social Governance Goals (ESGs)

  • The UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs)

  • IoT product stewardship

  • Ethics in the use of IoT

  • Diversity and equity, access to training, tools and solutions that are affordable and relevant to the vulnerable in our communities

  • The ‘digital divide’; IoT that is designed to be inclusive

  • Trust in the use of IoT from security, privacy and safety perspectives

In 2018 the World Economic Forum (WEF) concluded that most current IoT projects can contribute to achieving both the United Nations SDGs and ESGs. An analysis of more than 640 IoT deployments conducted in collaboration with IoT research firm, IoT Analytics, showed that 84 per cent of existing IoT deployments can address the SDGs.

The WEF has launched a program to help shape a sustainable, inclusive and trustworthy digital future and examines a number of these points. This program focuses on responsible digital transformation, fit for purpose informed governance, secure and resilient people, processes and practices, robust and interoperable digital ID for all, and the benefits of data sharing while respecting privacy.

Defining what IoT for Good could look like in Australia and driving the application of IoT in that direction is a great opportunity to leverage during a period of tremendous digital transformation. It’s also a chance for Australia to lead in areas such as water conservation, bushfire, flood management and virtual healthcare.

Importantly, defining IoT for Good will help ensure that we don’t just reinforce old practices, but use technology to improve social inclusion and create a better society for all.

As the peak body for IoT in Australia, Internet Alliance Australia (IoTAA) fosters socially responsible IoT innovation – IoT for Good. Our aim is to engage a broad range of business, government and community to ensure that we take a diverse and inclusive approach to what IoT for Good means in technology, industry and society. If you would like to submit a paper, get in touch with laura.hamilton@iot.org.au.

Frank Zeichner is a thought leader in the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT). He’s the founding CEO of the Internet of Things Alliance Australia (IoTAA), the peak body that drives collaboration across industry, research, government and community to improve Australia’s competitiveness and the lives of Australians.

Frank is also on the Board of the NSW Smart Sensing Network, which brings together smart sensing expertise in academia, industry and government to deliver economic and social benefits for New South Wales. He has over 35 years of industry experience, across telecommunications, operations, manufacturing and business consulting in Australia and overseas.

Learn more about IoTAA here.

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