INDUSTRY FOCUS: Smart Cities in the Era of COVID-19
The Experts from IoTC NOW Weigh In
*In light of the recent postponements of industry events which we believe to be critical in driving development and adoption of IoT, the Internet of Things Consortium (IoTC) launched a new virtual series IoTC NOW. Uniting industry leaders who discuss the current pandemic and its effect on specific IoT sectors including connected health and wellness, retail, autos, homes and cities—the IoTC’s five core verticals—we are pleased to provide a platform allowing these conversations to still take place while enabling partnerships to flourish.
This past Thursday, we held our third session in the IoTC NOW series. Focused on smart cities, the virtual event featured experts and executives who shared with participants their the role that IoT will play in urban centers as we emerge from the COVID-19. Axios Smart Cities Journalist Kim Hart moderated the main panel.
Speakers included:
· Beverly Rider, SVP & Chief Commercial Officer, Social Innovation Business, Hitachi Global Digital Holdings
· Ginger Armbruster, Chief Privacy Officer of The City of Seattle
· Kim Lagrue, Chief Information Officer, City of New Orleans Office of Information Technology and Innovation
· Brooks Rainwater, Senior Executive and Director, Center for City Solutions, National League of Cities
· Kelsey Finch, Senior Counsel, Future of Privacy Forum
· Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer, Special Guest
KEY TAKEAWAYS
SMART CITY PROJECTS
With smart city projects like Sidewalk Labs shutting down as a result of COVID-19, we will likely see challenges for cities nationwide and throughout the globe, with a potential $250 billion shortfall for local governments year over year. This economic turbulence speaks to the broader economic space that we're in right now. Panelists ultimately think cities will continue to thrive, but expect more people to shift to the suburbs and make other choices.
PRIVACY
Data and technology are top of mind for everyone. Data psychology is ever-present in our lives—how we work and how we go to school and how we connect with people. The question of how do we preserve individual privacy, freedom of expression and other important public values that we share, will become critical moving forward. Now is a great time for us as a society to wrap our arms around these questions and ask what trade-offs are appropriate and what communities feel is the appropriate balance.
NEW TOOLS MOVING FORWARD
As we consider going back to work, cities are looking at what will be required to make sure we're keeping the spaces healthy and clean. Tracking and tracing solutions are being received with mixed opinions and concerns. It’s understandable. Information is constantly changing (or unreliable) and data privacy is a major issue.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Public health processes that used to take 1-3 years are now getting through in 90 days. We are seeing more public-private collaborations.
We are also seeing an uptick of cars on the road, which means that there are challenges for the micro mobility segment. Telework is expanding. Healthcare will undoubtedly be the catalyst for deciding who serves on the front lines and which sectors are essential.
To download the full session, visit: https://iofthings.org/event/iotc-now-smart-cities-webinar/
We invite you to get involved with the IoT Consortium. The next IoTC NOW virtual panel focuses on Retail Transformation and takes place Thursday, May 21, 2020, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (EST).