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Any Thing for Anyone? A New Digital Divide in Internet‐of‐Things Skills
Author(s) -
van Deursen Alexander J. A. M.,
Mossberger Karen
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
policy and internet
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.281
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1944-2866
DOI - 10.1002/poi3.171
Subject(s) - unintended consequences , set (abstract data type) , the internet , public policy , internet of things , digital divide , perspective (graphical) , internet privacy , public relations , emerging technologies , digital transformation , computer science , business , knowledge management , political science , world wide web , artificial intelligence , law , programming language
Abstract The “Internet‐of‐Things” (IoT) promises social benefits across a range of policy areas, such as energy, health, transportation, public safety, and environmental policy, but attention to the skills needed by individuals who use it will be an important issue for public policy, in order to ensure full exploitation of these technologies and to avoid unintended consequences. We argue that comparative advantages of the IoT to people will vary based on differentiated skills and resources, enabling smaller groups of people to benefit, and disadvantaging others in new ways. This need for renewed attention to digital skills and knowledge might at first seem paradoxical, given that many of these technologies operate autonomously and behind the scenes. We discuss evolving digital technologies and related skills, and explain from a systems perspective how the IoT differs from prior technologies, with a premium placed on user knowledge and strategic skills. Finally, we bring together the issues of the digital divide and IoT skills, and set an agenda for future IoT public policy and research.