Foresight Scenarios for Protecting Human Autonomy in IoT: A Comparative Study of Expert and End-User Perspectives

Abstract

This article presents a comparative study, from a multi-stakeholder perspective, aimed at defining future scenarios that safeguard human autonomy in the context of IoT technologies. The research utilizes a systematic literature review (n=40) to identify factors that protect or undermine human autonomy in IoT, followed by two quantitative surveys using Delphi elements to compare expert (n=12) and end-user (n=123) perspectives. The paper sheds light on areas of consensus and divergence in understanding human autonomy and identifies key factors that contribute to optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. The findings offer valuable insights for future scenario development and policy formulation to ensure the responsible deployment of IoT technologies.