Innovation in blockchain innovation
A couple of years ago, I was invited along to the Scottish Blockchain Conference (ScotChain17). I have to say that it was a really enjoyable, well-organised and interesting day out in Edinburgh. Here I am in one of the panel discussions.
At this excellent event, I gave a talk about the use of blockchain in supply chains. Professor Angela Walsh kindly commented on my presentation, saying that it had her crying with laughter while learning a lot, a compliment that I treasure. The content was summarised thus by a keen observer… “The point,” said Birch, “is that people are talking absolute bollocks about blockchain, on an industrial level”. If you at all interested, the talk was filmed and you can see it here:
Well, my comments on ideas of using the blockchain to solve supply chain problems being somewhat misguided may have seemed a trifle harsh at the time, but as far as I can tell they were a broadly correct characterisation of the state of the industry and a broadly accurate prediction of the sector’s trajectory. Two years on, I just read that the noted research house Gartner says that nine in ten blockchain-based supply chain projects are “faltering” because they cannot figure out important (or, in my opinion, any) uses for the new technology.
Hence I feel that my somewhat uncharitable remarks were justified and my blockchain crystal ball remains intact, its reputation enhanced.
My reason for highlighting this Caledonian chronicle, and subsequent validation, is to point you to my forthcoming talk at Vincent Everts' super Blockchain Innovation conference in Amsterdam. If you are going to the excellent Money2020 in Amsterdam that week - where I will be chairing the Open Banking track - stick around and join me at the ABN Amro headquarters on June 7th for a wide perspective on the state of the blockchain world.
I'll be making a presentation on the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence. This is a space where I have observed an avalanche of absolute bollocks, so I'm going to stick my neck out and make a (well-informed) prediction about the key impact of AI on the blockchain world. It has nothing to do with supply chains, but I think has more significance and will mean big changes in the blockchain ecosystem.
I think have some solid foundations for making this prediction, so come along to cheer or jeer and I'll be delighted to see you there either way.