As we move towards an increasingly digital world, the data we generate is rapidly growing in volume and in value; influencing our lives in ways that are often hard to predict and seemingly impossible to control. Data is becoming the fuel that runs our corporations, our governments, and ultimately our society; with the potential to drive innovation and transform how services are delivered to us, from personalized healthcare to more efficient transportation, from improved retail experiences to transparency in our food supply.
Data is also becoming the single most important enabler of innovation, where innovators with access to data are at a significant advantage to those without; and when data is controlled by a small number of large corporations, as is the case today, data democracy becomes critical not just for individuals wanting to take control of their data, but for corporates who need acccess to that data for their future success. Data needs to become an asset class that data subjects can safely share in order to drive innovation for personal and societal benefit, and the ways with which personal data is managed needs to be prioritized by individuals, corporations, and governments. For the future of our society, we need to create a new data eco-system, where all citizens are safe and protected, are active participants, benefiting from their data, and using it to drive innovation and to power our future.
Enter blockchain…
While blockchain is not the solution to every problem, it is uniquely positioned to address the challenge of managing personal data, identity, consent, and privacy. Blockchain is also empowering a self-sovereign identity movement that not only democratizes data, but also makes identity fit for purpose as we move into an increasingly digital world. Non-profits, such as the Sovrin Foundation, are creating a public identity utility that will enable the next generation of the Internet.
On November 14th I will be attending IBM Think London and taking part in a debate to explore…
- How privacy concerns impact how companies innovate around data?
- Why is identity so important to the future of a digital economy?
- What makes blockchain uniquely positioned to tackle the identity challenge?
- What is self-sovereign identity? Is it a game changer?
- Is it ready for prime-time? Who are the early adopters?
And am excited to be joining thought leaders who bring diverse perspectives on the data eco-system and the transformative impact of blockchain:
- James Monaghan: James is VP Product at Evernym, the contributor of the Sovrin Identity Network, and has extensive experience building identity solutions.
- Roberto Maranca: Roberto is VP Data at Schneider Electric, previously Chief Data Officer at Lloyds Banking Group and GE Capital, who is a passionate advocate for ethical data science and responsible use of personal data, and has long been generating value from data.
- Richard Stockley: Richard is Head of Blockchain for IBM UK and Ireland, with hands-on experience of working with clients as they transform their business through adoption of blockchain technologies and a deep understanding of IBM’s key strategic blockchain initiatives.
- And for those that don’t know me, I’m Marie Wallace, a data nerd who has spent nearly 2 decades building AI technologies, most recently focused on designing analysis that is ethical and centred on value to the data subject.
IBM Think London will be happening at The Old Truman Brewery. This debate will start at 13:00 in The Fishbowl, so make sure to put into your calendars, and I look forward to seeing you there.
To find out more about what IBM is doing in the Blockchain Identity space, check out: https://www.ibm.com/blockchain/solutions/identity.
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