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Does smart mean sustainable? Photograph: Jill Giardino
Does smart mean sustainable? Photograph: Jill Giardino

Will the smart machine help or hinder sustainability? - live chat

This article is more than 9 years old

Join experts online to discuss if smart machines and systems will help us be more sustainable on Tuesday 31 March from 1-2pm BST

There is little in our society that won’t be affected by the evolution of the smart machine - intelligent devices that use machine-to-machine technology - over the next 20 years.

Driverless cars, “learning” thermostats, vending machines which alert owners of temperature changes, washing machines with downloadable settings, home energy management systems, the list goes on.

Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group predicts there will be 25 billion devices connected to the internet by 2015 and 50 billion by 2020 (pdf). What impact will this have on human decision-making? Will it remove the mundane chores of our daily life, like cleaning or commuting to work in our cars? Can sustainability perhaps be pre-programmed into our lives, and do we want this?

Join the discussion

Join us on 31 March from 1-2pm BST for a discussion about whether the smart machine is helping or hindering sustainability. Experts will join us online to take questions including:

  • is the prevalence of smart machines in our daily lives making it easier for us to consume fewer resources and be more energy efficient?
  • how are smart machines and systems affecting autonomy of human decision-making?
  • which businesses are heavily involved in investing in smart, sustainable systems?
  • what kinds of sustainability applications are possible for smart machines?
  • what are the implications of smart machines on the world of work?

The panel

Stephen Barker, head of energy and environmental care, Siemens

Maria Hernandez, internet of everything lead for the UK and Ireland, Cisco Systems

Chris Bilton, director - research and technology, BT

Marshall Cox, founder and CEO, Radiator Labs

Jeff Wilson, dean and professor dumpster, Huston-Tillotson University

Philip van Allen, interaction designer, educator and creative technologist

Rafael Calvo, professor at University of Sydney and author of Positive Computing: Technology for Wellbeing and Human Potential

How to join

The live chat is completely text based and will take place on this page in the comments section below, kicking off on Tuesday, 31 March, 1-2pm BST. You can submit any questions in advance by using the form below, tweeting them to @GuardianSustBiz using #askGSB or sending an email to sarah.labrecque.casual@theguardian.com and we’ll put them to the panel on the day.

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