Watch live: How can policymakers help build the Internet of Things?

The Center for Data Innovation brings together lawmakers and industry leaders to discuss the role Washington should play in the rapid rise of connected cars, appliances, and everyday objects.

Technologists anticipated Internet control of appliances — those things other than computers — nearly as long as there's been an Internet. Now, the marketplace for tech gadgets has caught up with their early visions. But what has yet to arrive is a regulatory framework that covers smart cars, Internet connected thermostats, and refrigerators with Wi-Fi. 

The Center for Data Innovation seeks to address that issue today at "How Can Policymakers Help Build the Internet of Things?," an event in Washington, D.C., that runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A live Web stream of the event will appear on this page beginning at 1 p.m.

Daniel Castro, director of the Center for Data Innovation, says Washington should play a role in fostering the Internet of Things as long as lawmakers don't "cripple it with unnecessary or overbearing regulations." His suggestions for policymakers can be found in this Op-Ed in Passcode.

The center's discussion on Thursday will feature members of Congress as well as representatives from Nest Labs and Toyota. Passcode, the Monitor's new section on security and privacy, is the exclusive media partner for the event.

The program:

1:00 p.m. | Welcome

1:05 p.m. | Keynote - Sen. Deb Fischer

1:15 p.m. | Keynote - Sen. Kelly Ayotte

1:25 p.m. | Panel - “Smart Homes and Devices” (Neil Chilson, attorney/advisor to Commissioner Ohlhausen, Federal Trade Commission; Chris Irwin, smart grid standards and interoperability coordinator, Department of Energy; Vineet Shahani, head of commercial and product legal, Nest Labs; Ohad Zeira, director of global product management, Belkin; Daniel Castro, director, Center for Data Innovation)

2:25 p.m. | Panel - “Smart Cities and Infrastructure” (Hilary Cain, director of technology and innovation policy, Toyota; Dan Hoffman, chief innovation officer, Montgomery County, Maryland; Alan Roth, senior executive vice president, US Telecom Association; Tonnetta Oubari, business development and strategy manager, Verizon; Daniel Castro, director, Center for Data Innovation)

3:40 p.m. | Keynote - Rep. Suzan Delbene

3:50 p.m. | Keynote - Sen. Brian Schatz

4:00 p.m. | Panel - Smart Industry (Kate Jackson, knowledge expert, McKinsey Center for Government; Alexa Marrero, deputy staff director, House Energy and Commerce Committee; Eric Miller, vice president of policy, innovation, and competitiveness, Canadian Council of Chief Executives; Sokwoo Rhee, associate director, Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Travis Korte, research analyst, Center for Data Innovation)