Societal and Environmental Trends ■ ■
THE HYPERCONNECTED SOCIETY
Increasing Amounts of Information and Knowledge Offer both Opportunities and Challenges As the world becomes increasingly globalized, boundaries in transnational exchange of information and knowledge are opening up. While the flow of goods and money have remained constant, data has never flown as freely as today [114]. The advent of digital platforms enables individuals to participate in the global marketplace and debates without intermediate agents. Data is not only more readily available, it is also omnipresent and can reach masses almost instantaneously [114]. As a result, the empowerment of the individual to spread information, influence groups, and become a thought-leader is easier than ever before. Hyperconnectivity, therefore, democratizes decision-making and increases transparency as knowledge is distributed publicly. ICT technology can provide people with information regardless of their heritage, age or social status. It works inclusively and reduces discriminating factors by drawing in a wide range of different individuals [114]. This fosters the exchange of ideas and facilitates innovation [115]. Also, connectivity changes how individuals are tied to each other: instead of small, strong relationships, diverse weak and volatile ties dominate [116]. Thus, rather than being influenced by one isolated social group, people become part of “several more amorphous groups” and sub-cultures depending on their own interests and values [117].
Facts: ■
From 2016 to 2021, devices and connections (CAGR 10%) are estimated to grow faster than both, population (1.1%) and internet users (7%) [118]
Trend Trend
Scenario
Ideation
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By 2019, more than half of the world’s population will use the internet, equating to 3.84bn people [119] Bandwidths between countries have grown 45 times larger since 2005 [114] 64% of US email users expect a response to a personal email as soon as possible or in one day [120] More than half of Gen X and Y professionals are accessible to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week [120]
Key Drivers: ■ ■
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IoT expands deeply into people’s lives: in 2018, there are 20b devices connected to the web [121] The seamless flow of data through local and mobile networks provides constant and robust connectivity through increasing broadband access [116] Individuals become dependent on connectivity: the majority of Gen X and Gen Y professionals would select their smartphone over their television [120] Blurred lines between local and global levels, private and professional spheres, work and leisure, as well as productivity and distraction [120]
Challenges: ■
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Ensuring cybersecurity and establishing data privacy protection while simultaneously maintaining an open flow of information and knowledge [114] Serving the demand for more efficient data infrastructures (IPv6) and networks (5G) according to growing consumption [118] Guaranteeing constant connectivity in the work environment while simultaneously reducing distractions, avoiding information overload and the mental costs of hyper-connectivity [120]
Impact on Digital Companions in the Factory of the Future As offline and online life merge, digital companions have the potential to become both gatekeeper and catalyzer of this process [117]. Inevitably, hyperconnectivity is a tradeoff between productivity, attention, access to information, and distraction [120]. While overexposure to data and information is paralyzing individuals, collecting, filtering, and distributing information will be necessary for companies to make hyperconnectivity an accelerator of productivity and innovation. In the future, individuals would not decide between offline or online, but rather to what extent they want to be connected.
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