Regulating Blockchain means creating a legislative environment which protects users from fraud, maximises social benefit while at the same time removing administrative obstacles which hinder innovation. The panel will discuss these issues within the context of examples of live initiatives from Malta and the Netherlands, as well as upcoming initiatives in India and France.
Blockchains are best known as the technological underpinning for the Bitcoin cryptocurrency highlighted for its potential to revolutionise the financial world. For example, the World Economic Forum survey in 2015 found that those polled believe that there will be a tipping point for the government use of blockchain by 2023.[1] The reach of blockchain technology, however, will go beyond the financial sector, through the use of ‘smart contracts’ which allow business and legal agreements to be stored and executed online.
At the Open University, over the last few years, we have been conducting experiments in a number of domains including in Open University teaching. In this talk I will cover how we have been using blockchains to manage micro-accreditation (including badging), ePortfolios and peer accreditation in a variety of settings. I will also outline our initiatives to set up national and international blockchain networks and how blockchains could herald the emergence of Uber-style universities.
[1] http://www.coindesk.com/world-economic-forum-governments-blockchain/
Minister Bartolo’s keynote will draw on his experience as a Minister in charge of education and employment and chart out the key challenges to be addressed if disruptive technologies such as the blockchain are to be put to good strategic use, for the benefit of learners.