The Internet of What?: Understanding Differences in Perceptions and Adoption for the Internet of Things

This study explores people's perceptions of and attitudes towards Internet of Things (IoT) devices and their resulting (non)adoption behaviors. Based on 38 interviews (19 pairs each consisting of a Millennial and their parent), we found that few had a clear understanding of IoT, even among those who had already adopted it. Rather, they relied on two distinct conceptual models of IoT that shaped their beliefs, concerns, and adoption decisions: Many approached IoT with an "user-centric" technology mentality, viewing IoT devices as tools to be controlled by the end-user, and focusing on their tangible aspects (e.g. breakability). Others drew on an "agentic" technology perspective, where IoT behaviors were device-driven and, at times, negotiated between the user, other people, and/or the IoT devices. Our study revealed that consumer-oriented IoT currently cater towards the agentic view and raise concerns for those coming from a user-centric perspective. We also found that generational differences in attitudes towards IoT were rather explained by these differing perspectives. Instead of following the trend towards greater automation and agentic modes of interaction, we advocate for a hybrid and personalized approach that supports a spectrum of agentic and user-centric perspectives and provide design recommendations to work towards this end.