IoT requires business, society, govt resilience – Cwele
Business, government and society will have to rapidly adapt to global changes as a result of the Internet of Things (IoT) or face the consequences of being left behind, Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Dr Siyabonga Cwele said on Monday.
Delivering a keynote address at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference, in George, he commented that those actively harnessing and participating in the industrial revolution or digital era would attract and earn “enormous benefits”.
However, those choosing to ignore or resist the digital era will likely be “punished and disciplined”.
The IoT’s “convergence of [the] physical, digital and biological world” is likely to change consumer patterns and the notions of privacy and ownership, while moving governments to adopt softer regulations and new technology to improve service delivery as citizens are enabled to engage “rather than being mere recipients”.
“Business must also adapt or die. The demand side will be affected by transparency and new consumer preferences. The supply side will get efficiency and productivity gains,” he said, adding that this could be offset by a greater risk of inequality and unemployment, with talent, more than capital, becoming a critical factor in production.
“All these dictate that we must shape a future that will work for South Africa,” Cwele commented.
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