World Economic Forum
Future of the Connected World
Mobilising global action to create a connected future for all
As the world begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, technological advances in connected technologies have offered an exceptional opportunity to help build a more prosperous and sustainable future. The Future of the Connected World initiative is one small step in realising this vision.
The initiative consists of two elements: the State of the Connected World and the Global Action and Recent Progress reports.
The reports identify the top challenges and opportunities for the Internet of Things (IoT). The Council on the Connected World brings together world-leading initiatives to help solve these challenges, realise the potential of IoT and build a connected world that benefits all.
Action areas
We identified critical areas for change based on the State of the Connected World report
Leading initiatives
We bring together initiatives from across the world to drive impact
Take action
Businesses, civil society, academia, governments or individuals can contribute
State of the Connected World 2023 Edition
Continuous technological advancements and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly expanded the use of Internet of Things (IoT) in our daily lives. These include various applications in the consumer space, healthcare, education and industry.
The “State of the Connected World 2023” report, released at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, quantifies survey data collected from more than 270 technology experts from around the world. And the data is clear: while connected technology continues to transform our lives, governance gaps impede its full potential.
Public-private collaboration is necessary to develop baseline protocols applicable to all connected devices. This includes universal governance around ethical use, security and equity. The report establishes clear priorities for businesses and government leaders to address the identified risks.