Okay, let's talk IoT. The World Internet of Things Convention (WIOTC) in Beijing is painting a rosy picture for 2025 – a "smarter era marked by greater justice, fairness and scientific order," according to He Xuming, chairman of the WIOTC Executive Committee.
Global convention views IoT as driving force for digital transformation, shared development Hyperbole aside, the core argument is that the Internet of Things is driving digital transformation and sustainable development. But is it? Or is this just another tech bubble inflated by optimistic projections?
The Ericsson mobility report cited at the conference estimates approximately 19 billion IoT connections worldwide in 2024, projecting this figure to more than double by 2030. That’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 17%. Not bad, but let’s break it down. What kind of "connections" are we talking about? Are these high-bandwidth industrial sensors, or someone's smart toaster pinging a server every morning? The devil, as always, is in the details – and the WIOTC press release is suspiciously vague.
IoT at Airports: Shiny Objects or Real ROI?
The Airport Test: A Ground-Level View
Airports offer a useful microcosm. The "FTE Airport Digital Transformation Power List Asia-Pacific 2025" and "FTE Airport Digital Transformation Power List Americas 2025" showcase a range of IoT applications, from autonomous vehicles at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to AI-powered baggage handling at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). We see promise, but implementation is uneven. HKIA boasts 70 autonomous vehicles, but what's their actual impact on throughput and efficiency? Are they truly integrated into the airport's core operations, or are they a costly PR stunt?
And this is the part of the report that I find genuinely puzzling. The sheer variety of IoT applications touted by these airports – everything from smart signage to predictive maintenance – suggests a lack of strategic focus. Are they chasing every shiny new object, or are they prioritizing projects with a clear ROI? The press releases are full of buzzwords ("seamless travel experiences," "digital marketplace") but short on concrete metrics.
Consider the case of Malaysia Airports, which is implementing Airports 4.0, "focusing on four key digital transformation themes – terminal operations, passenger experience, staff mobility, and safety & security." Laudable goals, but how are they measuring progress? A mobile app and "surveillance for crowd management" sound good on paper, but do they translate into quantifiable improvements in passenger satisfaction or operational efficiency?
The Ethical Question Marks
Kathleen Kramer, president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, rightly points out that rapid IoT expansion comes with risks: fragmented standards, data misuse, and uneven access. This is the underbelly of the "smarter era." Who controls the data generated by these billions of devices? How is it being used? And who benefits from the increased efficiency and automation? Are these gains being shared equitably, or are they accruing to a select few?
The emphasis on "global cooperation" at the WIOTC is encouraging, but history suggests that international agreements are often toothless when it comes to regulating powerful tech companies. We need robust, enforceable standards to prevent data misuse and ensure that the benefits of IoT are shared more broadly.
The "Win-Win" Mirage?
The China-Arab States Expo highlights another dimension of the IoT narrative: technology transfer from China to the Global South. Chinese diplomats are touting "win-win collaboration," with Chinese technology supposedly driving industrial development in countries like Mauritania, Kuwait, and Somalia. But let's be clear: technology transfer is rarely a purely altruistic endeavor. It often comes with strings attached, including dependence on Chinese hardware and software, and potential for surveillance and data exploitation.
The ambassador of Mauritania claims that Chinese firms are rolling out smart-rice systems and precision-irrigation pilots that have lifted yields by 40 percent. That's a significant jump, but it's just one data point. We need independent verification of these claims, as well as a thorough analysis of the long-term economic and social impacts of these technologies. Is Mauritania becoming more self-sufficient, or is it simply becoming more dependent on China?
The push for "AI+life" scenarios, including AI robotics services and brain-computer interface devices, also raises serious ethical questions. Are Arab countries fully prepared to grapple with the social and cultural implications of these technologies? Are they equipped to protect their citizens from potential manipulation and abuse?
So, Where Does That Leave Us?
The IoT has potential, no doubt. But the 2025 narrative, as presented by the WIOTC and other industry boosters, is overly optimistic. The reality is far more complex and uncertain. We need to move beyond the hype and focus on the hard data – the quantifiable improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and social welfare. And we need to be far more vigilant about the ethical implications of these technologies, ensuring that they are used to empower, not exploit.
Awaiting the Cold, Hard Numbers
It's too early to declare a productivity revolution. I'll believe it when I see the independently audited reports. Until then, color me skeptical.
