The document discusses the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities. It defines IoT as physical objects embedded with sensors that can collect and exchange data over the internet. Examples include smart devices, cars, and home appliances. IoT is expected to generate large amounts of data that needs to be indexed, stored, and processed for business intelligence. The document also discusses smart city initiatives in various cities around the world like New York City, and partnerships between cities to share best practices. It analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of implementing IoT and smart technologies more broadly.