From Internet of Things to Internet of Everything: The Convergence of AI & 6G for Connected Intelligence

Internet of Things (IoT) establishes a network for connecting physical objects, such as devices, machines, sensors, or any equipment with processing abilities that can connect to the Internet. It refers to a digitally connected universe built on smart devices like fitness trackers, home voice assistants, smart thermostats, etc.

IoT market is growing rapidly. It is reaching every home across the globe. According to McKinsey, the global IoT market will amount to $12.6 trillion by 2030. But, today, it is not strictly limited to machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.

Internet of Everything (IoE) broadens the scope of IoT to encompass people, data, and processes. It simply means that “everything” is or will be connected digitally. This increased connectedness creates an intelligence ecosystem beyond anything we have encountered.

But to enable IoE globally, we need technologies that can connect “everything” and understand massive amounts of information to deliver intelligent outcomes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 6G are prominent technologies facilitating connected intelligence in IoE systems.

In this article, we’ll look at the concept of the Internet of Everything in detail and shed some light on the relationship between AI and 6G technologies to enable global connectivity.

What is the Internet of Everything (IoE)?

First coined by Cisco in 2012, the Internet of Everything builds on IoT by extending connections beyond machine-to-machine communication. It unifies people, organizations, data, and devices into a well-connected ecosystem. It facilitates a higher level of interconnectivity by seamlessly combining numerous technologies, like cloud computing, edge computing, AI, IoT, 6G, and data analytics, along with various gadgets, sensors, and machines to gather, transmit, and analyze data in real-time.

Overview of the Internet of Everything Framework

The IoE industry is expanding rapidly. According to CMSWire, the IoE market is expected to reach $4,205.50 billion by 2030, compared to $928.11 billion in 2020. When this technology is fully developed, it will affect numerous fields, like healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and mining.

Let’s consider the example of an IoE-based smart grid system. The smart grid contains interconnected components, including distribution networks, transmission lines, power generation units, and meters. By deploying an IoE system, data collected from these components can be analyzed in real-time using AI-based systems and advanced analytics. Based on real-time intelligent insights, the smart grid can deliver electricity to consumers with improved efficiency. It can optimize energy management, detect faults, and enhance the safety of the grid systems.

Enabling the Internet of Everything With 6G Connectivity

Sixth-generation or 6G technology is the next wave of wireless communication systems, succeeding 5G cellular networks. With ultra-high-speed data transfer, low latency, and hyper-connectivity, 6G is a critical component in supporting and releasing the full potential of the Internet of Everything-based systems.

Evolution of Network Generations

Let’s check out the following ways in which 6G can facilitate IoE:

• 6G hyper-connectivity would enable super-secure authorization procedures and security frameworks to safeguard private information in networked IoE environments.
• 6G can effectively improve the network’s latency and bandwidth distribution to meet the different needs of IoE applications.
• 6G would enable intelligent edge computing by putting computational capacity closer to the IoE-enabled devices.
• 6G can deliver hyperpersonalization and customization of consumers’ network experiences.

Applications of AI & 6G-Based Internet of Everything Systems

1. Healthcare

AI and the 6G have the capacity to transform the healthcare industry. AI-powered IoE systems can provide real-time medical data examination, personalized therapies, and remote monitoring of patients. Combining it with 6G enables dependable and low-latency connectivity for primary telemedicine services, enabling healthcare professionals to spot irregularities and react quickly.

2. Manufacturing

IoE systems based on AI and 6G foster productivity and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing operations. Such applications can extract large amounts of data from various sources, including sensors, machines, and networks. AI models can analyze this data to optimize production processes, forecast service requirements, and offer predictive quality assurance. 6G connectivity would power continuous interaction between machines, networks, and staff, allowing for real-time data exchange and decision-making.

3. Agriculture

6G-based IoE applications can improve precision farming by combining real-time data from weather gauges, land sensors, and farming equipment. The acquired data can be analyzed using AI-based agriculture systems trained to generate meaningful insights, helping farmers and land owners make timely decisions about their yields. It allows for improved distribution of resources, optimized irrigation plans, increased crop yields, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

4. Environmental Sustainability

AI and 6G-based IoE systems can aid in environmental surveillance and sustainability activities. Connected sensors and satellite monitoring can capture air quality, water resources, and energy consumption data, allowing for real-time analysis and effective resource management. Furthermore, AI systems can recognize trends, predict environmental hazards, and aid decision-making to promote environmentally friendly practices.

5. Transportation

AI and 6G-based systems have the potential to revolutionize how we commute. IoE connectivity provides transportation systems with real-time data flows. It allows them to track and control traffic movement, traffic jams, and road conditions. For example, AI-based transportation systems can analyze data from IoE devices to optimize traffic signals, redirect vehicles, and execute adaptive congestion control measures to provide a safer environment for self-driving cars.

Internet of Everything – Where Are We Headed?

“The 21st century will be equivalent to 20,000 years of progress at today’s rate — about 1,000 times greater than the 20th century” – The Law of Accelerating Returns by Ray Kurzweil, Technologist and Futurist.

Integrating AI and 6G in the context of the Internet of Everything opens up significant opportunities for futuristic systems. Automation across sectors powered by AI and 6G will increase operational productivity, lower expenses, and increase production. Consumers will have more personalized and frictionless interactions with linked devices.

However, as AI and 6G grow, tackling ethical issues and privacy concerns becomes increasingly essential. Effective AI frameworks for governance are required to promote transparency, equity, and responsibility in deploying and using AI within the IoE landscape. Building the long-term viability of AI and 6G-enabled IoE systems will largely depend on the protection of user data and observance of privacy rights.

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