The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to transform both businesses and societies, and 2024 has made it clear that three prominent trends—sustainability, security, and AI—will be crucial for IoT’s future. These trends illustrate how IoT is evolving from a technical solution to a strategic necessity for progress on multiple levels.
Top IoT-trends for 2025
If you are looking for the top-3 IoT-trends for 2025, here is my list.
#3 Sustainability in Focus
Sustainability is one of the most prominent trends within IoT today. IoT devices can collect and analyze large amounts of data that help us optimize energy use, reduce resource consumption, and thereby lower our carbon footprint. IoT not only provides insights into the current situation but also helps companies track how well they succeed in reducing their environmental impact over time.
For larger companies, sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important, and IoT offers new possibilities to gather data in a more systematic way. Through smart sensors and connected devices, organizations can continuously monitor and report their sustainability impact. This makes it easier to meet today’s strict requirements for sustainability efforts, as well as to document and present concrete results to stakeholders and authorities. The proof is in the IoT-pudding.
By leveraging IoT for continuous optimization, companies can not only improve their operations but also track their sustainability impact in a way that was not previously possible. With the increased focus on sustainability and climate responsibility, IoT will play an increasingly important role for companies looking to make a measurable difference. Today, smart solutions can not only measure the amount of waste a company generates but also how clean that waste is with the help of AI and cameras.
IoT also plays an important role in more efficient logistics solutions, where GPS trackers and route optimization are central tools. These solutions help companies minimize mileage and save fuel, which not only contributes to reduced emissions but also to better profitability. By monitoring vehicles in real time, companies can avoid unnecessary detours and ensure that transports take place in the most efficient way, while also meeting demands for a lower carbon footprint.
#2: IoT security – a challenge
As IoT adoption grows, the issue of security becomes increasingly important. The number of cyberattacks on IoT systems has risen by as much as 400% in the past year, demonstrating that these systems are becoming more vulnerable. This development has resulted in new global security standards and regulations being implemented to protect both users and systems. Not only EU has new standards set for cybersec, this happens all over the world. It is especially important to develop security measures that keep pace with the increasing complexity of IoT systems. These standards and regulations send a clear message that security must be built into every IoT device and platform to protect users from potential threats and intrusions.
Two pro-tips for you, PQC and Zero Trust:
a) Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) has emerged as an important security measure within IoT. This technology provides protection against threats that could arise from quantum computing, which is relevant as future quantum computers may crack today’s encryption standards. By starting to work with PQC now, companies can ensure that their IoT infrastructure is prepared for the security challenge posed by quantum computers.
b) Another crucial security method that is becoming increasingly common within IoT is “Zero Trust.” Instead of assuming that everything within a network is trustworthy, Zero Trust is based on the principle that nothing and no one should be implicitly trusted. Every access request must be verified and approved, creating a significantly safer environment for IoT applications and minimizing the risk of attacks.
#1 AI Meets IoT – A powerful partnership
Perhaps the most exciting development within IoT is the entry of AI into the IoT world. AI loves data, and IoT can generate vast amounts of it. By combining AI and IoT (AIoT), we can not only increase the accuracy and efficiency of the services we deliver but also enhance security through better analytics and insights. And AI is at least 300 million times faster than a human when it comes to data anlysis. And to be frank, something 300 million times slower than a human, well, that is the speed of evolution.
AI is also used to identify security gaps or detect anomalies in IoT networks in real time. In this way, AI becomes not only an analysis engine for IoT data but also a powerful tool for protecting and securing IoT systems from threats and vulnerabilities.
This integration goes beyond data analysis—we also see AI directly embedded in IoT devices, enabling them to make smarter decisions on the spot, known as edge intelligence. By bringing AI closer to where data is generated, IoT systems can act faster and with greater precision. This is particularly beneficial in industrial IoT, where AI-supported automation can drive faster and more accurate decisions directly on the production floor. However, hardware costs and energy consumption are also increasing, making battery-powered sensors less suitable for these types of applications.
IoT, with sustainability, security, and AI at the forefront, is poised to revolutionize our businesses and societies. With the right balance between innovation and security, we can look forward to a future where IoT is not only technically impressive but also practically and responsibly integrated into our daily lives.