World IoT Day, celebrated on April 9th, serves as a global platform to highlight the significance of the Internet of Things (IoT) in various sectors of society and industry. In 2025, the theme “Bridging AI-IoT Technologies and Sustainability” emphasizes the critical role that artificial intelligence (AI) plays in enhancing IoT applications while promoting sustainable practices.
Let’s delve into the history of IoT, the current landscape of connected devices, market trends, applications, and future perspectives of IoT.
The Internet of Things Has an Interesting History
The concept of the Internet of Things dates back to the early 1980s when researchers at Carnegie Mellon University connected a coke vending machine to their local server so that staff and student can see if the vending machine has any coke left, or if the coke is cold enough to drink. This is where it all started.
However, the term "Internet of Things" was independently coined by Kevin Ashton in 1999 during a presentation at Procter & Gamble, where he discussed the role of RFID technology in supply chain management. Inventory visibility was a huge problem in retail stores at the time.
Since then, IoT has evolved significantly, propelled by advancements in wireless communication such as BLE, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, LTE-m, etc., sensor technologies, and cloud computing.
The early 2000s marked a pivotal shift as the proliferation of broadband internet and mobile devices facilitated the growth of interconnected devices. By the late 2010s, IoT had transformed from a niche concept into a fundamental component of modern technology ecosystems, impacting industries ranging from healthcare to agriculture. The rising global penetration of smartphones fuelled IoT adoption and It had become the Internet of Everything with 12.5 billion IoT devices connected to the internet in the year 2010 which increased to 15.23 billion in the year 2014 and to 16.66 billion in the year 2019.
World IoT Day 2025 Theme: Bridging AI-IoT Technologies and Sustainability
The theme for World IoT Day 2025, "Bridging AI-IoT Technologies and Sustainability," highlights the intersection of technological innovation and environmental stewardship. As organizations increasingly focus on sustainability goals, IoT technologies, empowered by AI, will be instrumental in monitoring resource usage, improving operational efficiency, and developing sustainable practices.
For instance, smart grids can optimize electricity distribution and reduce carbon footprints, while connected devices in agriculture can minimize water usage. This year’s theme encourages stakeholders to explore the synergies between AI and IoT to foster a sustainable future.
Current State of Connected Devices
As of 2025, the number of connected devices globally is estimated to surpass 30 billion. The explosive growth is driven by the increasing adoption of smart home technologies, home automation, wearables, industrial IoT applications, and smart city initiatives. Reports indicate that each individual now interacts with an average of 13 connected devices, underscoring the ubiquity of IoT in daily life in modern times.
World IoT Day: IoT Market in 2025
The IoT market has witnessed remarkable growth, with its global market size projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2026. Factors contributing to this growth include the demand for real-time data analytics, improved operational efficiencies, and enhanced customer experiences. Industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, fashion and transportation are increasingly investing in IoT technologies to harness data for strategic decision-making.
The integration of AI with IoT is a driving force behind the market's expansion. AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data generated by IoT devices, providing insights that lead to smarter automation and predictive maintenance, effectively bridging the gap between raw data and actionable intelligence. Market drivers such as industrial automation and wearables, AI and Machine learning, PdM, etc. are pushing IoT growth in 2025.
Applications of IoT Technologies
IoT applications are diverse and impactful, spanning various sectors. Some of these IoT applications are as follows:
1.IoT and Smart Homes
Devices like smart thermostats, security systems, and voice assistants enhance home automation and energy efficiency.
2. Healthcare and IoT Wearables
Wearable health monitors and telemedicine platforms enable remote patient monitoring and timely interventions.
3. Industrial IoT (IIoT)
Sensors and connected machinery improve manufacturing processes, predictive maintenance, and supply chain management.
4. Smart Cities Leverage IoT
IoT applications in urban environments include traffic management systems, waste management, and energy-efficient public services.
5. Agriculture and IoT
Precision farming technologies utilize IoT sensors to optimize irrigation, monitor soil conditions, and enhance crop yield while RFID tagging of agriculture equipment, physical to digital connectivity of assets is fuelling Automatic Identification and Data Capture.
Future Trends in IoT
Looking ahead, several trends are shaping the future of IoT as followings:
a. Increased AI Integration
The synergy between AI and IoT will enable more advanced analytics, fostering real-time decision-making and automation.
b.Edge Computing
As the volume of data generated by IoT devices grows, edge computing will become essential for processing data closer to its source, reducing latency and bandwidth usage.
c. Blockchain
The blockchain technology leverages IoT and provides a secure, decentralized IoT framework for data capture and data management, boosting digital transactions, data integrity and security.
d.Digital Twin
Digital twin is another great technology that leverages IoT to virtually represent physical assets or systems, powered by data streams from IoT sensors, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimized operations.
e. Enhanced Security Measures
With the rise in connected devices, ensuring robust security protocols will be crucial to protect against cyber threats.
f. Sustainability Initiatives
IoT technologies will play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability by optimizing resource consumption and reducing waste across various industries.
To summarize, by bridging AI and IoT, we can harness the power of interconnected devices to create a more efficient and environmentally responsible world. The World IoT Day 2025 presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the advancements in IoT technology and its potential to drive sustainability.