IoT and the Internet of Me

The context in which companies do business is shifting – increasingly, younger consumers are "untethering" from traditional behaviors common to previous generations linked to the Internet of Things, like buying homes, cars, etc. At the same time, they are hyper-connected to digital devices. These major demographic and behavioral shifts are ushering in new expectations and values, comprising the emerging “Internet of Me.” This session will explore these trends to help the IoT sector understand the changing customer base, including new opportunities and challenges.

As a digital sociologist, Dr. Julie Albright works at the intersection of behavior and technology. Dr. Albright’s insights have made her a sought-after speaker worldwide by Fortune 500 companies including IBM Global, SAP, Oncor, Distributech, DARPA, CS Week, Society for Petroleum Engineers, and many others. Dr. Albright is a Lecturer in the USC Applied Psychology, teaching courses on the psychology off interactive technologies and in Engineering teaching Sustainable Infrastructure courses. She is also the former Managing Director of the USC Energy Institute. Dr. Albright was one of four principle investigators on a $121 million Smart Grid Demonstration Project, funded by the Dept. of Energy. The project explored energy, behavior and digital technologies, and incorporated many key aspects of IoT, including electric vehicles.