Robots could make poor people stay poor

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Poverty runs rampant in many developing nations, but robots could actually cause problems for people in these countries.

Industrial robots could eliminate the traditional path out of poverty for people in these countries, according to The Verge. If factory jobs evaporate, then these nations could grow their industrial bases without the need to move workers from fields to factories.

Industrialization that promotes development in nations historically involves the migration of workers from agricultural jobs to ones inside factories, which typically provide better pay. But the Financial Times notes that industrial automation will likely hinder economic growth for the next group of developing markets.

In short, nations in South America, Africa, and South Asia will not be able to grow as quickly as China and South Korea by enhancing their manufacturing and exports.

The Financial Times examined Indonesia, a nation in which industrial productivity has fallen in the last 10 years. Factories in the country have closed even though wages there are lower than in China and the Indonesian government supports and promotes manufacturing.

But by the time Indonesia actually fixes the issues of poor infrastructure and over-regulation of exports, robots could take away even more jobs from low-skill workers in the nation.

Governments' reactions to robots' disruption of labor forces could have a tremendous effect on industrial growth. If robots replace a significant chunk of the industrial workforce, then governments must figure out how to train workers for jobs that robots cannot eliminate, such as service jobs. Otherwise, rising unemployment rates, social unrest, and animosity toward robots in the workplace will run rampant.

This issue is one of many complex and difficult problems that arises with the onset of the IoT Revolution, which is picking up speed. And when it does, it will change how we live, work, travel, entertain, and more.

From connected homes and connected cars to smart buildings and transportation, every aspect of our lives will be affected by the increasing ability of consumers, businesses, and governments to connect to and control everything around them.

Imagine “smart mirrors” that allow you to digitally try on clothes. Assembly line sensors that can detect even the smallest decrease in efficiency and determine when crucial equipment needs to be repaired or replaced. GPS-guided agricultural equipment that can plant, fertilize, and harvest crops. Fitness trackers that allow users to transmit data to their doctors.

It’s not science fiction. This “next Industrial Revolution” is happening as we speak. It’s so big that it could mean new revenue streams for your company and new opportunities for you. The only question is: Are you fully up to speed on the IoT?

After months of researching and reporting this exploding trend, John Greenough and Jonathan Camhi of BI Intelligence have put together an essential report on the IoT that explains the exciting present and the fascinating future of the Internet of Things.  It covers how the IoT is being implemented today, where the new sources of opportunity will be tomorrow and how 16 separate sectors of the economy will be transformed over the next 20 years.

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The report gives a thorough outlook on the future of the Internet of Things, including the following big picture insights:

• IoT devices connected to the Internet will more than triple by 2020, from 10 billion to 34 billion. IoT devices will account for 24 billion, while traditional computing devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) will comprise 10 billion.

• Nearly $6 trillion will be spent on IoT solutions over the next five years.

• Businesses will be the top adopter of IoT solutions because they will use IoT to 1) lower operating costs; 2) increase productivity; and 3) expand to new markets or develop new product offerings.

• Governments will be the second-largest adopters, while consumers will be the group least transformed by the IoT.


And when you dig deep into the report, you’ll get the whole story in a clear, no-nonsense presentation:

• The complex infrastructure of the Internet of Things distilled into a single ecosystem

• The most comprehensive breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of mesh (e.g. ZigBee, Z-Wave, etc.), cellular (e.g. 3G/4G, Sigfox, etc.), and internet (e.g. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.) networks

• The important role analytics systems, including edge analytics, cloud analytics, will play in making the most of IoT investments

• The sizable security challenges presented by the IoT and how they can be overcome

• The four powerful forces driving IoT innovation, plus the four difficult market barriers to IoT adoption

• Complete analysis of the likely future investment in the critical IoT infrastructure:   connectivity, security, data storage, system integration, device hardware, and application development

• In-depth analysis of how the IoT ecosystem will change and disrupt 16 different industries


To get your copy of this invaluable guide to the IoT universe, choose one of these options:

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