I’m fascinated by the human cloud. I believe it represents a seismic shift in the way we work and in the very way we live. The notion that we can use the rapid advancements in global networks to build an online workforce not bound by office locations, able to work effectively from anywhere, at anytime, is tantalising. For many companies, the human cloud is already a critical part of business operations. Indeed, as the global recession continues to bite and the demand to find a greener existence deepens, the human cloud presents a unique and unchallenged opportunity.

However, there are still critical barriers to overcome before we can truly embrace the possibilities of a global human cloud. Some of these barriers are technological, while some are more ideological. In fact, it may well be the latter that are the most difficult to overcome. As the Economist highlighted in a recent article, we’re in the midst of an IT Arab Spring. Yet it’s not governments that are being overthrown here but the old guard of corporate IT.

The Economist contends that there are clear battle lines being drawn between digital natives and the established IT infrastructure. Citing examples such as Unilever and Accenture, the article highlights how digital natives expect the same simplicity in their IT devices in the workplace as they have personally. They want smartphones, tablets and turnkey solutions. They want software that works and enables them to be productive and reactive as opposed to slow and unresponsive.

This is a generation that is familiar with cloud-based software and appreciates the value of being able to work anywhere they have an Internet connection. And this highlights the next issue – technology, or rather networks. The human cloud can only ever be as productive as the network allows. If we want to embrace a truly independent global workforce that doesn’t have to spend hours in the daily commute, we need an infrastructure that can provide ubiquitous fixed-line and mobile access.

The goal of universal broadband access is one most of the world’s developed nations are racing to achieve. Indeed the hallowed goal of a truly networked nation is bandied around the U.S. and Europe with alarming regularity. So much so, one might actually believe that it’s almost within our grasp. However, we still have some way to go here. There are still enormous regional differences, especially when we consider rural connectivity. Yet is this about to change?

In an announcement earlier this week, the European Commission announced plans to invest €9.2 billion on broadband projects between 2014 and 2020. This investment comes at a critical time for the European Union as it seeks to advance on its pledge to provide universal broadband access by the end of this decade. Currently, progress is slow and blighted by regional variations. In the U.S., the situation is equally mixed. Obama’s stimulus funding has certainly had some impact, but there’s still considerable work to be done.

One area where the U.S. is leading the way is in mobile connectivity, especially in regards to LTE and 4G networks. As I highlighted in an earlier post, the U.S. is a global leader in LTE deployments with a significant market share. This is set to grow considerably in the coming months as Verizon continues an aggressive rollout. In many respects, mobile access is the critical element to the success of the human cloud. Without stable access to cloud-based applications, the human cloud will remain an ideal with unexplored potential.

Are you already a part of the human cloud? If so, how has it altered your work, your productivity? If not, what are the challenges we need to overcome to make the human cloud a success? And do you believe that it has the power to change our workforce? Let me know what you think.