Examples of Blockchain in Use
eDemocracy*
Estonia is already using blockchain for public records. All citizens have digital IDs. Their internet voting system (i-Voting) allows voters to cast their ballots from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. During a designated pre-voting period, the voter logs into the system using their government-issued e-ID and casts a ballot. The voter’s identity is removed from the ballot before it reaches the National Electoral Commission for counting, thereby ensuring anonymity.
Source: FT.com
Transport
For tolled motorways, with autonomous and connected vehicles, the potential here is for such transactions to use blockchain technology. Such vehicles may allow the introduction of variable tolling where a vehicle could negotiate with other vehicles based on who is in a rush and who is not. It may make ‘cutting in front’ a positive.
European Blockchain Services Infrastructure*
EBSI is a network of distributed nodes across Europe that will deliver cross-border public service by the application of blockchain technology. This 27 Member State cooperation in the delivery of digital services requires the highest standards of security and privacy. Use cases being explored are notarization, digital identity, diplomas, trusted data sharing, social security passport, asylum and SME support.
*Source: European Commission
Healthcare
Using a managed medical ledger, a single source of truth, shared between medical professionals, hospitals, insurance companies but with restrictions on the extent of the information, how long they can view it and maintain compliance with privacy regulation. Potential here is to remove issues around diagnoses, medications, having an accurate address (which can be an issue for making an insurance claim), improving communication and outcome.
Digital Asset Management
A trusted record of when something was created, who created it, when was it purchased.
Consider digital rights and royalties of artists and entertainment production offline, online and in the Metaverse.
Supply Chain Management
The management of a supply chain across, for example, raw materials, factories, parts, warehousing, insurance, transportation, customs, distribution, retail and end-users. To track all of this is challenging as you are working across companies and authenticating across multiple systems. With blockchain, you can have a shared ledger where each participant can add to the ledger and as it moves through the chain. Everyone who needs to see it, can see it. Benefits could be around better predicating of resource and raw materials, bottlenecks in the system, and simplify adding new participants in the supply chain.
Smart Contracts
You can store a programme – a predefined list of rules to control a business transaction. Once on the blockchain it will be executed automatically based on those rules (e.g. the date/time, or value of asset). Think of real estate transactions; trading. Read more about Smart Contracts here.
Education
Potential applications in education could be in the storage of permanent records; identify verification and security; credentials; credit transfers and intellectual property protection for educational content*
*Source: Cognizant.
Travel – Known Traveller Digital Identity ("KTDI")
KTDI is a World Economic Forum initiative that brings together a global consortium of individuals, governments, authorities and the travel industry to enhance security in world travel. Imagine when you are booking your next flight, you can send all your relevant credentials to the immigration officers before the journey, so you can be pre-vetted before you leave your own home. No more surprises when you land, just use of facial recognition as you walk through immigration. KTDI enables consortium partners to access verifiable claims of a traveller’s identity data so they can assess their credibility, optimise passenger processing and reduce risk. KTDI allows individuals to manage their own profile and collect digital ‘attestations’ of their personal data, deciding what data to share and when. The more attestations a traveller accumulates and shares, the better consortium partners, governments and other parties can provide a smooth and safe travel experience*.
*Source: KTDI.org