What if? We asked what might happen to the Internet of the future... What if ... the way we invest in access perpetuates the global digital and socioeconomic divides? Keep reading What if ... security drives a digital divide of “haves” and “have nots”? Keep reading What if ... algorithms dictate your ability to walk through the city? Keep reading What if ... the loss of trust in the Internet spurs a global movement of people disconnecting? Keep reading What if ... we use the Internet to drive transparency and strengthen democracy? Keep reading What if ... new ways to create and deliver content change not only the media, but sports and culture? Keep reading What if ... the convergence of the digital and the physical worlds change what and how we eat? Keep reading What if ... the Internet of Things (IoT) is not based on open and interoperable standards? Keep reading What if ... the human body itself becomes the edge of an increasingly complex network? Keep reading What if ... specialised networks and proprietary standards become the new norm? Keep reading What if ... government measures intended to protect networks made them even more vulnerable? Keep reading What if ... the world actually cooperated to detect and patch zero-day vulnerabilities – and made us all safer in the process? Keep reading What if ... revenue-starved public services are taken over by the mega-platforms? Keep reading What if ... businesses become so reliant on the mega-platforms that they lose their independence? Keep reading What if ... there was a digital assistant that only had the user’s best interests at heart? Keep reading What if ... automation and AI create short-term savings for industries but damage their long-term sustainability? Keep reading What if ... the rise of new state and corporate powers fundamentally changes our current model of Internet governance? Keep reading What if ... government responses to Internet challenges undermine people’s fundamental rights? Keep reading These stories show us how the Internet might evolve. But the path we take is up to us. Our Recommendations Download the full report Share: Learn more about the Internet Society Learn more Join the Internet Society and get involved Join today