The planet will be instrumented,
interconnected, intelligent

People want it. We can do it.

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Smarter planet in the UK

Watch the video to learn how and why the UK is getting smarter.

Change for smart's sake

The list of problems is well-known: A financial crisis. Climate disruption. Energy geopolitics. Food supply hazards.

What they show is that we're all connected, today like never before: economically, socially and technically. When a crisis occurs on one part of the planet, it can bring problems to another part, within days or even hours.

Yet this challenge is also an opportunity, and now is the time to seize it. People around the world are ready for change. And the planet is ready for it, too. Today, we are seeing the infusion of intelligence into the way the world literally works - the systems and processes that enable...

physical goods to be developed, manufactured, bought and sold;
services to be delivered;
everything from people and money to oil, water and electrons to move;
and billions of people to work and live.

Every global challenge presents an opportunity for innovation and economic renewal. This is not only about infrastructure but also about the way it is harnessed to generate competitive advantage. Brendon Riley - IBM UK & Ireland Country General Manager.

What do you really think?

Visit the blog asmarterplanet.com to see some of what's already been said about smarter food, water, public services and other key aspects of our daily life. There are 10+ topics you can read about and comment on, videos, podcasts and even cartoons. Join the conversation.

The world will continue to become smaller, flatter… and smarter. We are moving into the age of the globally integrated and intelligent economy, society and planet. The question is, what will we do with that? Sam Palmisano - IBM Chairman and CEO.

How we're getting there

Three things have brought this about:

The world is becoming instrumented. We now have the ability to measure, sense and see the exact condition of everything. Sensors are being embedded everywhere: in cars, appliances, cameras, roads, pipelines…even in medicine and livestock.
The world is becoming interconnected. People, systems and objects can communicate and interact with each other in entirely new ways.
All things are becoming intelligent. All the instrumented and interconnected things are being linked to powerful new backend systems that can process all the data produced and advanced analytics are capable of turning it into real insight, in realtime.

Why get smarter?

Because we can: the technology is both available and affordable. Because we must: the shocks we've seen to so many systems show that the current approaches aren't sustainable. And because we want to. IBM is starting a conversation with the world because we think now is the time to make these changes for the better.

Smarter systems in action

The world needs a smarter planet. See how we are helping to build it.Read more

Smarter connections

If we can connect the systems that run our world, we can make our planet smarter: with less traffic, healthier food, cleaner water, safer cities.

Watch the video (MPG, 5.07MB)

Find out more on Smarter Planet:

IBM CEO Sam Palmisano discusses smart ways to prepare for a world beyond recession CBR podcast – Listen to Brendon Riley, Chief Executive, IBM UK & Ireland, discuss transformation for IBM and its Smarter Planet initiative Transforming UK business – Read the views of Brendon Riley, Chief Executive, IBM UK & Ireland

Smarter Business & Technology

You've seen the areas where progress is still needed to build a smarter planet ... now why not explore the business solutions and technology that will help drive the change that is needed.

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The planet will be instrumented, interconnected, intelligent