THE INTERNET OF BEHAVIORS (IOB): HOW TECH KNOWS YOU BETTER THAN YOU DO

Imagine you're scrolling through your phone, minding your own business, when suddenly an ad pops up for those sneakers you mentioned once in a conversation.

- ABHISHEK ANAND

Or maybe you're trying to be healthier, and your smartwatch lovingly suggests, "Hey buddy, how about 10,000 steps instead of that couch marathon?"

Creepy? A little. Convenient? Absolutely. Welcome to the world of the Internet of Behaviors (IoB)—where tech doesn't just observe you but understands you. By analyzing your habits, likes, dislikes, and that occasional late-night pizza order, IoB tries to predict and nudge your behavior.

But wait—before you start picturing robot overlords controlling your life, let's unpack this fascinating trend in a fun, not-so-techy way in my today's column.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: WHAT ON EARTH IS IOB?

You've heard of IoT (Internet of Things), right? That's when your smart fridge, smartwatch, and smart vacuum all talk to each other behind your back. But IoB takes things a step further. It's all about collecting and analyzing human behavior data to understand, predict, and sometimes influence your actions.

In short:

• IoT = Smart devices connected to the internet.

• IoB = Smart devices connected to you.

Think of it as your tech trying to play Sherlock Holmes with your life—but instead of solving crimes, it's solving the mystery of "what will you do next?"

HOW DOES IOB WORK? (WITHOUT FRYING YOUR BRAIN)

IoB uses a blend of:

1. Data Collection: Wearables, apps, cameras, sensors, and even social media collect what you're doing.

2. Data Analysis: AI and machine learning turn all that data into meaningful insights.

3. Behavior Predictions: Based on the patterns it finds, IoB predicts what you'll likely do next.