In episode 7 of The Outside Context, co-hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Richard Baker, a technologist and futurist with a background in telecommunications and financial services. Richard shares his journey from engineering to finance and discusses the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on society. Together, they explore smart cities, digital identity, the future of data ownership and the integration of a native money system into the internet.

Key Takeaways

Richard’s career journey from telecommunications to finance
The rapid adoption of new technologies and the implications for society
Smart cities: What they are and how they’re evolving
The role of AI, sensors, and data networks in modern urban environments
Challenges around data privacy, identity and trust in the digital age
The potential of self-sovereign identity and Web3 technologies
The intersection of digital sustainable finance and smart infrastructure
The future of money and how the internet will integrate financial systems
A look ahead: What Richard hopes to see in his lifetime (and beyond!)

Notable Quotes:

"We are already living in smart cities; the infrastructure is here, we just don’t always see it."
"We have an unbelievable nexus moment happening with the convergence of AI, financial technology, and trust-based systems."
"A truly embedded money system into the internet will change everything—it will create new economic models and job opportunities."
"We need to think differently about data ownership; our identities should belong to us, not corporations."

Connect with Us:

Follow The Outside Context on Spotify
Connect with Richard Baker on LinkedIn
Follow Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay for more insights into the future of technology and finance

Join the Conversation: What excites or concerns you most about the future of smart cities and digital identity? Drop us a message on social media or leave a comment!

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