The system of interrelated computing devices has turned more intelligent in recent years. IoT, from being 'Internet of Things' has become 'Intelligence of Things'. Today, coupled with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics, enormous volumes of IoT data can be analyzed in real-time to improve decision-making and deliver better business outcomes – whether that's increasing manufacturing efficiency, reducing asset downtime, improving health and safety, or providing a personalized consumer product or service. Businesses and public sector organizations around the world are already leveraging the IoT and other intelligent technologies to help the world run better and improve people's lives.

As noted by Digital Trends, for example, "consider the ideal vision of the networked smart home: Your connected smoke alarm sniffs the air and detects not just the lingering aroma of bacon but a hint of fire. Rather than just blaring a senseless klaxon to startle whoever's within earshot, it turns off the oven and furnace, shuts power to the room, and calls the fire department. Networking devices together unlock their power. We don't want notifications; we want solutions to problems. It takes intelligence to get there, not just connectivity."

"Without intelligence, there is no value," Kiva Allgood, head of IoT and automotive at Ericsson, told Digital Trends. "I actually view this as a mistake in the space, we have generalized all 'things' without focusing on what really matters: The outcome or value to the enterprise or the individual when they digitally transform."

That attitude is fading. Connected devices are already changing how we think and act. It's especially noticeable as smart assistants and AI take on tasks big and small for us.

Moreover, in his CES 2020 preview, Steve Koenig, vice president for the Consumer Technology Association, said there's a new IoT in town. No, not the Internet of Things – rather, the "Intelligence of Things". "We've ticked the device-connectivity boxes," he explained, "and over the next decade, we will so an explosion of intelligent connectivity solutions, with devices that anticipate human needs, enable smart city infrastructure and contribute to global sustainability."

EETimes editor Barb Jorgensen explains that the new IoT can be divided into two separate categories: massive IoT and critical IoT. Massive IoT connects a lot of endpoints but carries very little data. Critical IoT connects fewer endpoints with lots of data. Applications for the latter include remote surgery, industrial robotics, and commercial virtual reality.

The world can soon expect to see 5G networks built parallel to 4G to prepare for a gradual transition. This covers everything — devices, networks, and base stations that are yet to be designed, built, or field-tested.

So, in the meantime, established companies and start-ups are developing products and services that will capitalize on connected intelligence. This ranges from artificial intelligence and augmented reality to transportation, health, and robotics.