Representatives from the UN and digital industry leaders from 80 countries gathered in Beijing for the World Internet of Things Convention 2025, which kicked off on Friday. The event, themed “Smartly Connected New Economy, Intelligent Society in a New Era,” centered on both the opportunities and risks of IoT’s rapid growth. Organizers and experts argued that without shared ethical standards and international cooperation, the benefits of this technology might bypass much of the world. As Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Under-Secretary-General, emphasized, digital technologies have the potential to become “a key engine for economic growth and social prosperity” [1].
Why the Market Gets It Wrong: Beyond Numbers, Toward Responsibility
Part of the market is dazzled by the numbers. According to Torbjorn Fredriksson from UN Trade and Development, there were already 19 billion IoT connections in 2024. Forecasts? By 2030, that figure is set to double, and the Ericsson Mobility Report projects 8 billion cellular IoT connections by 2031 [3]. What’s driving this surge? IoT covers everyday devices—from refrigerators to industrial machinery—connected to networks, gathering data and communicating with each other. This is transforming manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and education. Yu Lianghuan of Haier Smart Home AIoT is certain: “IoT and smart technologies are powering improvements across all sectors” [2].
The Expanding IoT Landscape and Real Ethical Challenges
But this optimism comes with caveats. Kathleen Kramer, president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, sees risks: fragmented standards, data misuse, and unequal access to technology. In her view, “the digital economy must be not just smart. It must be ethical, resilient, and broadly empowering” [1]. He Xuming of WIOTC struck a similar note: “We should promote multilateralism and strengthen global cooperation to build a connected digital economy—and share the benefits with everyone” [3].
At the convention, experts examined practical IoT applications in industry, energy, smart vehicles, and the integration of AI with IoT. Six side sessions and three main forums made it clear that this technology is already part of everyday life. But is ethics keeping pace? That’s the question hanging over Beijing—and the digital future as a whole [4].