Internet of things and artificial intelligence—a wining partnership?

Abstract

Hardware/Software (hw/sw) systems changed the human way of living. Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), now two dominant research themes, are intended and expected to change it more. Hopefully, for the good. In this book chapter, relevant challenges associated with the development of a “society” of intelligent smart objects are highlighted. Humans and smart objects are expected to interact. Humans with natural intelligence (people) and smart objects (things) with artificial intelligence. The Internet, the platform of globalization, has connected people around the world, and will be progressively the platform for connecting “things”. Will humans be able to build up an IoT that benefit them, while keeping a sustainable environment on this planet? How will designers guarantee that the IoT world will not run out of control? What are the standards? How to implement them? These issues are addressed in this chapter from the engineering and educational points of view. In fact, when dealing with “decision making systems”, not only design and test should guarantee the correct and safe operation, but also the soundness of the decisions such smart objects take, during their lifetime. The concept of Design for Accountability (DfA) is, thus, proposed and some initial guidelines are outlined.