Vermont Business Magazine Gravel & Shea, the Distributed Ledger Governance Association (DLGA), Champlain College, and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office came together to host Vermont’s first digital identity summit on October 16 at Champlain College. Capitalizing on Vermont’s position as a blockchain legislative leader in the United States, the summit drew approximately 40 executives and government leaders from the US, Canada, and England to discuss issues around the implementation and use of digital identification in Vermont.
CEOs and technology officers from companies that both develop and utilize blockchain tools — such as London-based software developer Veridium, New York City-based cybersecurity company SecReliant, Florida-based Haven Health Solutions, and Hu.manity, a company designed to create decentralized human rights and located in New Jersey — connected with regulators, academics, and municipalities from Vermont.
“As a result of insights gained from recent DLGA member pilots, the DLGA believes that digital identification is a necessary infrastructure component as we move into the next generation of internet services,” said John Burton, Chairman of the Board of DLGA. “The summit provided a first step toward a day when digital identity management for both organizations and individuals is a nearly ubiquitous service.”
During panel-style sessions, attendees discussed the interaction between digital identity and public elections as well as public and private industry. They also participated in a working lunch held by Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan that focused on consumer protection, data ownership, and digital identity.
“We had a fascinating conversation about the future of data and technology,” said Attorney General Donovan of the summit. “One of the most interesting discussions centered on whether consumers have a property interest in their data and should be compensated for it. There’s a lot to think about.”
After the summit, many attendees toured the Hula coworking space, currently under construction in the former Blodgett Oven building in Burlington.
“We were pleased to sponsor a digital identity summit that led to a very robust, candid exchange of views across the artificial intelligence and blockchain technology space,” said David Thelander, Blockchain Practice Group Leader at Gravel & Shea and board member of DLGA. “We appreciate those who are continuing to reinforce Vermont’s keen appetite for responsible blockchain development and innovation to serve its citizens and drive economic growth. And we’re always excited to talk with companies that are looking for the right space to collaborate and scale their blockchain operations.”
Source: Burlington, Vermont (October 23, 2019): Gravel & Shea