Our world is changing – and changing fast. Professor
Alasdair “Alex” Cook BVM&S, MSc, DipECVPH, CertPM,
PhD, MRCVS, Head of the Department of Veterinary
Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of
Surrey, reflects on changes in our technology. Machineto-
machine communication is becoming a reality – maybe
your bathroom scales will interact with your fitbit, your store
cupboard and your kitchen to ensure you don’t consume
more calories than you burn. These interconnected data,
the Internet of Things, promises to disrupt every aspect
of our lives. This article considers what this may mean for
animal health and veterinary services.