Our knowledgeable speaker and conference chair discusses what it means to develop a blockchain-based system, immediate benefits and long-term transformational potential.

As with anything new, seeing the wood for the trees around blockchain technology is challenging. It may not even yet be at the peak of the hype cycle and clearly there are already extravagant claims for its potential competing with damning dismissiveness of it as inefficient and nothing new. This panel of analysts and experts help us see our way through the noise to get at the signal. Just how much difference can blockchain technology make? Where is it likely to make the greatest impact? And how can we ensure that positive impact is maximized?

Ganado has been heavily involved in the drafting of new legislation required for the development of Malta as a financial center, including the revision of the law relating to trusts and the law on legal persons and foundations, as well as on netting, securitization and aviation.  His most recent publication is Legal Personality for Blockchains, DAOs & Smart Contracts. 

In addition to working with a tribally-owned Alaska Native Corporation organization, our speaker co-authored the blockchain playbook for government and continues to participate in the working group and community of interest for using blockchain technology for identity management, voting, and more.

Cook is leading the implementation of blockchain traceability into the tuna longline sector, starting in Fiji. This innovation is revolutionary to combating IUU fish sales, illegal harvesting, fisheries mismanagement, lack of data collection and will redefine the way fisheries are managed in the future and set a new standard for sustainability within the resource. Their project is not only introducing technology into a cottage industry, but it is introducing the most advanced technology on the current market which is all being lead by an NGO. Hear about the hurdles and successes.

We live in a time where global systemic challenges are pushing against the collective progress of the world. Boinodiris, a member of IBM's Academy of Technology, showcases how leading humanitarians are using blockchain to tackle the world’s biggest problems, those aligned with the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). The stories she shares span many of the 17 SDGs including disruptive marketplaces for sustainable energy, the reclamation of patient data and recyclables, micro-credentialing platforms that democratize education, blockchain enabled apps that prevent pharma fraud and more. Ultimately the disruptors discussed are using blockchain to achieve an increase in trust, provide new access to the underserved, and create new models for change.

Companies and organizations are popping up every day to enter the blockchain technology revolution.  Others have been experimenting with the technology for many years. Hear about one practitioner’s experiences, as well as from an academic who studies blockchain applications and experiments with the technology. Get tips from both of our speakers for moving forward in the industry.

A pioneer with blockchain technology and a number of early adopter organizations, Gupta shares his unique perspective of the future of this industry, implications for governments, challenges and expected benefits. He provides no sugar-coated ideals but presents facts, illustrates with examples and discusses a realistic future for blockchain.

The European Commission has been at the forefront of government engagement with various digital challenges. Despite its bureaucratic reputation it has been willing to embrace the new and has come up with interesting and relevant legislation around digital identity and cyber security. It is starting to grapple with the power of Blockchain and is again early into the field.  Come and hear more!

Our speaker discusses an e-auction blockchain solution for the Ministry of Justice: CETAM, which held the 1st blockchain auction globally—a state auction for distrained (seized) property.

Our conference chair discusses with the audience other implementations that he and they have heard about, have seen, or are curious to know more about!  Definitely a great interactive knowledge sharing activity about the current or coming use  of  blockchain technology.

Smart contracts are based on a computer protocol intended to digitally facilitate, verify, or enforce the negotiation or performance of a contract. They allow the performance of credible transactions without third parties, and are trackable and irreversible. Their potential in real estate, law, intellectual property, and many more places is amazing. Private blockchains have also been suggested for business use. Hear more from our speakers and see if this technology has an application in your organization.

Working closely with the UK Ministry of Defense, BAE Systems, ATOS and The Metropolitan Police, Ralphs's company, ByzGen, designs and builds bespoke prototypes, proofs of concept and pilots.  He shares his real-world challenges, both technical and organizational, as well as tips for others starting to use distributed ledger technology. Bishop focuses on electric grid cybersecurity, US Department of Energy Projects, as well as USG adopters and large integrators.  He shares his experience and lessons learned.

At the moment the world of Blockchain is like the early days of the internet, lots of innovation but also lots of unpredictability. While this creativity is excited and going to transform industries, for Blockchain to achieve its full potential it needs to integrate with some of the norms of government and finance that have been adopted and adapted over years because they work.  Rumi Morales's work sits squarely at this intersection, identifying and funding Blockchain related products and services that make transition to a new world more robust and transformative.  Hear her thoughts for our future with blockchain.