This topic results from a screening of emerging issues in science, technology and society in the context of the FET CSA OBSERVE.

http://www.horizon-observatory.eu/radar-en/index.php

The big picture

The internet will change in a technical and in a social way. Several debates are evolving around its long-term future:

Some experts expect that “Intelligence moves to the networked edges”. Smaller and more specific networks may emerge where processing power and intelligence is distributed to “smart-hotspots” that facilitate seamless local interaction between diverse networked people and things (IFTF). Today’s infrastructure however limits many of these possibilities.

Others speculate about the way the digital and physical world may be interwoven in the future e.g. in a screenless “Internet in things” or a fully ambient user experience. At the same time some observers warn that even today’s expectations on the “Internet of Things” may be inflated and serious infrastructure bottlenecks are looming.

Finally, huge efforts are under way to provide remote and mobile internet access points to the internet e.g. through drones or even satellites.

On the societal side the rise of non human traffic, trolls, viruses and abusive behaviour is raising concerns that trust in virtual communication is being undermined. Media and artists are increasingly pointing to the dark sides of the internet. Implementation of the “right to be forgotten” in the internet remains controversial. Attempts to create “offline spaces” are on the rise.

The work needed

The long term future of the internet involves huge challenges both in terms of technology and society. In order to address these challenges and reap the potential benefits for European economy and society, visionary, long-term oriented and highly interdisciplinary approaches are required.

Selected voices

IFTF Combinatorial Forecasts: Intelligence moves to the networkded edges; the internet becomes a network of networks

http://www.iftf.org/maps/20-combinatorial-forecasts/

https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_uglow_an_internet_without_screens_might_look_like_this#t-444450

http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3143521

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-internet-of-things-cant-afford-the-internet

http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/18/9172883/nternet-of-things-hype-generator

http://fortune.com/2015/07/01/online-advertising-fraud/

http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/16/8978815/ellen-pao-reddit-editorial-moderation-trolling

http://www.andfestival.org.uk/events/dark-content-eva-and-franco-mattes/