Artificial Intelligence, connected products, virtual reality: potential impacts on consumer safety in terms of their physical and psychological ability or well-being

With the progressive digitalisation of a majority of services to communities and individuals, humankind is facing new challenges. While energy sources are rapidly dwindling and rigorous choices have to be made to ensure the sustainability of our environment, there is increasing concern in science and society about the safety of connected products and technology for the individual user. This essay provides a first basis for further inquiry into the risks in terms of potentially negative, short and long-term, effects of connected technologies and massive digitalisation on the psychological and/or physical abilities and well-being of users or consumers.