This document introduces the concept of a smarter planet where intelligence is being infused into systems, processes, and infrastructure to help address global challenges. A smarter planet is possible because the world is becoming instrumented with sensors everywhere, interconnected as more things can communicate with each other, and intelligent as these connected things are linked to powerful analytics systems. Some examples of how a smarter planet can help include reducing energy inefficiencies in the UK by 60%, using RFID to track food from farm to store to reduce waste, and transforming energy grids and supply chains through smart technologies. The document argues that with these smart capabilities, there is tremendous potential to deliver positive change and solve problems in critical areas like energy, food, water, and security.

1. Conversations for a Smarter Planet: No.1 in a Series
A need for change is a need for smart.
With the growing need for change across the planet, business to process their data, and to advanced analytics capable of turning
leaders everywhere have a unique opportunity to transform the it into real insight, in real time.
way the world works. With computational power in things we wouldn’t recognise as
We’re at this point because the financial crisis has jolted us awake; computers, any person, object, process, service or organisation
alerting us to the nature and dangers of highly complex global can become digitally aware, connected and smart.
systems. But it’s not our first such jolt. The new century has Given all this low-cost technology and networking, what wouldn’t
delivered a series of wake-up calls on a single theme: the reality of you enhance? What wouldn’t you connect? What information
global integration. wouldn’t you mine for insight? What service wouldn’t you provide
Climate change and energy. Global supply chains for food and for a customer, citizen, student or patient?
medicine. Security concerns from identity theft to terrorism. All
The answer is, we will do all these things. Because we can — and
issues of an increasingly connected world. All arising this decade.
because we must. Consider:
As the world continues to become more integrated, we see that • UK firms lose £2.5 billion each year through energy inefficiencies.
being connected isn’t enough.
• Up to 50% of food is wasted or lost between field and fork in
Fortunately, something is happening that holds new potential: the developed markets.
planet is getting smarter. Intelligence is being infused into how our • One in five people in the world lacks safe drinking water.
world works. Into systems, processes and infrastructure that enable
• And, of course, we’ve seen what’s developed in financial markets;
goods to be developed, manufactured and exchanged. Services
a system where institutions could spread risk, but not track it.
to be delivered. It facilitates the movement of everything from money
and oil to water and electrons. And so helps billions live and work. All of these things are solvable on a smarter planet.
Smarter infrastructures are helping cut IT energy usage by almost
How is this possible?
60%.
First, the world’s becoming instrumented. Imagine a billion transistors
Smart food systems are using RFID technology to trace foodstuffs
for each person. We’re almost there. Sensors are embedded
from the farm through the supply chain to store shelves.
everywhere: in cars, appliances, cameras, roads, pipelines; even
in medicine and livestock. Smart systems are transforming energy grids, supply chains and
water management, and the security of currency exchanges.
Second, our world’s becoming interconnected. Soon 2 billion of us
will be on the Internet — but systems and objects can now ‘speak’ There’s tremendous need for positive change in the world. And we
to each other, as well. Think of a trillion connected, intelligent things, have the resources to deliver it. Over the coming weeks, you’ll hear
and the oceans of data they will produce. more from IBM on ways to make our planet work better.
Third, those instrumented and interconnected things are becoming Let’s build a smarter planet. Join us and see what others are
intelligent. They are being linked to powerful new backend systems thinking at ibm.com/think/uk
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