The Internet is one of the most fundamental and important tools of our time. Never before have we seen such opportunities for human empowerment, technical innovation, social development, and economic growth – opportunities that span the globe and touch everyone in its reach.

But we can’t afford to take the Internet -- or its future -- for granted. 

At the Internet Society, our mission is an open, global and trusted Internet everywhere, for everyone. Around the world, there are many uncertainties facing the Internet. There are actions, decisions, and events taking place today that may change its course forever. 

The way in which various forces of change evolve will have a profound impact on current and future Internet users of all kinds -- and society.

Take our survey below!

What might the Internet be like in the next 5-7 years?

What may be at risk? What could be impacted? It’s time to take a fresh look.

In 2009, the Internet Society started in a scenario planning exercise to uncover events that could affect the health of the Internet.

We are embarking on a collaborative exercise with the members of the extended Internet community to envision multiple creative (yet plausible) scenarios for the future of the Internet.     

Over the next 18 months, we will look at the trends and uncertainties impacting the Internet’s future, the issues of greatest concern globally and regionally, how various future scenarios could impact different uses of the Internet, and recommendations for creating the future Internet we want.

Here’s the draft timeline:

• A look at the forces of change impacting the future of the Internet – Quarter 3 2016
• Analysis of top Internet trends and uncertainties globally and regionally – Quarter 4 2016
• Draft of Future Internet Scenarios for Global Input and Comment – Quarter 4 2016
• Release of Revised Future Internet Scenarios – Quarter 1 2017
• Discussion papers on top Internet issues – Quarter 2 2017
• Recommendations for creating the future Internet we want – Quarter 2 2017

Your views will help us define what the Internet could look like in the not-so-distant future and what this could mean when it comes to all the things an open and accessible Internet could bring us. 

Let’s get started - Take the survey

Give us your views on the forces of change likely to shape the future of the Internet and the best and worst case scenarios for the digital future.

The survey shouldn't take too much of your time and is open until 8 April 2016.

• Take our survey
• Participer à notre sondage 
• Participan en nuestra encuesta