Podcast transcript: The Internet and the Internet of Things

Hi from the Library Student Team! This podcast will focus on Week 4: The Internet and Week 5: The Internet of Things.

TRANSCRIPT

ST1: Hi from the Library Student Team! I’m Fariha and I’m Zeenat and this week’s podcast will focus on Week 4: The Internet and Week 5: The Internet of Things.

ST2: There’s so much interesting content covered over these two weeks, so let’s get cracking!

ST1: I’ve been really interested in your comments about changes you have experienced with the internet, both across the last 12 months, and over the course of your lifetime. One of the most common changes you acknowledged was how easy accessing the internet is.

ST2: Yes, I also found these contributions very interesting. It’s been a really transformative few years, hearing how we’ve been raised with the internet or how it has shaped relationships.

ST1: Absolutely, I think we can all relate to the important role that the internet had in keeping us all connected throughout the COVID pandemic, especially for those with friends and family in other countries.

ST2: Something I noticed from your new mission statements, is that we view the internet as a resource not only for keeping connected with loved ones, but also for engaging with strangers from across the world, sharing new knowledge and creating a global community. Even now, with the emergence of Chat GPT, a lot of people use this as a resource to help them academically or even with day-to-day activities. This is just a small example of how the Internet can be used as a tool.

ST1: For this reason, I think it’s a shame that so many people have negative experiences online and are impacted by dangers online. Some of you outlined some dangers such as fraud, cyberbullying and privacy infringements, which unfortunately are affecting so many of us today. It would be a shame to see these threats of the internet starting to outweigh the benefits.

ST2: I hope this won’t be the case, and in fact, I feel optimistic about those services like the Age UK ‘Digital Champions’ programme and the work of public libraries that aim to bridge the gap between those who struggle to access the internet and so can’t benefit from the services it provides.

ST1: This idea intersects nicely with Week 5: Internet of Things content. The development of technologies has had a profound impact on the way we live today. Whilst the Jetsons’ predictions may have seemed like far-out fantasy when they were first aired on our screens, in reality, our world today doesn’t look much different from their image. This discussion has brought up so many themes that affect so many sectors and aspects of our lives, from the development of medical technologies to the day-to-day interaction with robots.

ST2: I couldn’t believe how many of their predictions appear to have come true, especially the rise in robotics! There is a chance that there could be greater technological advancements in the future that we, the general population, have no clue about. In this same vein, what does this mean for the human population?

ST1: A lot of you expressed that the Internet of Things is and would be a huge help in making disabled people’s lives easier, like Alexa or robot vacuums, but instead big corporation companies are likely to use Internet of Things to change the employment sector.

ST2: That’s right, many of you have rightfully acknowledged how the Internet of Things will have an impact on future employment opportunities. I think generally people see it as a threat to accessing jobs and the further unequal distribution of wealth in society, and this is really explored in your insightful comments regarding consequences of the Internet of Things.

ST1: Yes, I was excited to see that it wasn’t all doom and gloom in the comments! You’ve noted that the development of more sophisticated machinery, will require human supervision, meaning jobs will still be available, and there was even some discussion on security. The development of Internet of Things devices has really improved home security for example. For me, the evolution of alarm systems has definitely made me feel more secure in my own home.

ST2: One comment in particular really caught my eye, I was so intrigued by the idea that the creative industries would thrive in a more machine-centred society, as there is a greater need for “mind wanderers” who will drive forward ideas for the application of tech. It’s easy to worry about the limitations of the Internet or its threats and fail to see the positives. I wouldn’t have expected the creative sector to be one that might see an increase in business due to our progressively digital society.

ST1: You’re right, there must be others, I wonder what other surprising opportunities might become available in the future? This is also something that we can discuss next week when we look at AI, especially the creation of digital art using AI, and whether this can still define this as art?

ST2: We’ve really enjoyed engaging with your comments from these past two weeks! With your help we’ve been able to identify how the Internet has transformed all our lives over the past decade and the emergence of Internet of Things devices, which we think will determine our future. We hope you enjoyed this podcast and feel free to contribute any ideas to keep the conversation going. In our next session, you can look forward to our breakdown of AI and the rise of Simulated Spaces. Thanks so much!