Technology vs trust in public infrastructure

#DPI : Digital Public Infrastructure can drive a sustainable increase in #revenue collection and build trust in government. -India's adoption of digital public infrastructure has helped reduce the country's income tax return processing time. Trust in government and government effectiveness have a reciprocal relationship. Trust is enhanced when political institutions are strong and governments implement policies and initiatives that are aligned with the public interest and improve people’s daily lives. And governments can be effective only when their citizens trust them enough to comply with laws, thereby creating the space for reforms. Of course, trust in government needs more than just robust digital platforms. But the building of India’s digital platform infrastructure has laid some of the foundations for increasing trust by creating an inclusive platform for citizens to transact digitally and empowering users to have more control over their data. Good digital infrastructure can create trust between any two counterpart actors by introducing tamperproof components for identity, #payments, and #security , which allows citizens and businesses to be certain of the #identity of their counterpart and of the legitimacy of the transaction. This allows the reduction in explicit and implicit costs to citizens when they interact with their government, and for businesses in their transactions with individuals, other businesses, and the government. -Kamya Chandra, Tanushka Vaid, and Pramod Varma's article in  International Monetary Fund 's September 2024 F&D (Finance & Development) Edition

𝗞𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽 3️⃣: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗲? The public square is shifting. Not just what we believe, but whether we believe anything at all. AI-driven media tools are giving us unprecedented power to create, edit, and share content at scale. That’s a massive opportunity for journalism, civic engagement, and storytelling. But it also fuels a dangerous dynamic: The Liar’s Dividend. 📌 The Liar’s Dividend explained: When people know realistic fakes exist, every inconvenient truth can be dismissed as "fake" - even when it’s real. It’s not just misinformation. It’s the weaponization of doubt. Why this matters for executives in media & governance: 🔹 Loss of trust = loss of influence: newsrooms and institutions risk a collapse in public confidence. 🔹 Verification becomes a bottleneck: "Evidence" will face higher scrutiny, legal challenges, and longer verification cycles. 🔹 Platforms face accountability pressure: Expect rising demands for AI provenance tracking, watermarking, and content authenticity frameworks. 🔹 Polarization will deepen: competing realities harden ("reality silos"), reducing consensus on even basic facts. 💡 Key insights to act on now: 1️⃣ Invest in trust infrastructure: content provenance, cryptographic signatures, independent verification networks. 2️⃣ Evolve editorial standards: prepare for both proving truth and countering false dismissal. 3️⃣ Educate audiences: transparency about verification builds more trust than perfection. 4️⃣ Plan for disinformation crises: treat them as inevitable, not hypothetical. 5️⃣ Forge cross-sector alliances: no single newsroom, company, or regulator can solve this alone. The next chapter of media isn’t just about fighting falsehoods. It’s about defending the legitimacy of truth itself. If you’re in media leadership, policy, or governance, this is your moment to build the resilience the public will rely on. Thank you Nathaniel Persily for your amazing session on the future of AI in media and democracy! 💬 How are you preparing for the Liar’s Dividend in your strategy? 🔁 Share this with someone shaping the future of information. #AI #Media #Leadership, Kyoto University, Kyoto University Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Law and Policy (KILAP), Verena Krawarik

Wow! The RCMP just set a new standard in trust and engagement with the publication of their “Transparency Blueprint”, a singular view into the operational technologies they deploy. The Blueprint outlines the careful consideration of technologies like on-device investigative tools, cell-site simulators, and remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones), focusing on protecting privacy while enhancing public safety. From the introduction: “The RCMP recognizes that the deployment of operational technologies should consider and balance the needs of law enforcement against any privacy and ethical issues related to their use. While it is not always possible to provide all of the details of how and when certain operational technologies are used, which could negatively impact their effectiveness, NTOP nevertheless promotes transparency as a key consideration for maintaining public trust and confidence in the responsible use of these technologies by the RCMP.” I’ve long argued that obfuscation and unnecessary secrecy can be counterproductive to law enforcement and security efforts. Transparency can still be offered while maintaining operational (and source) security. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to public trust and sets a benchmark for transparency in law enforcement technologies. It’s a risk, but a risk well worth taking. Check out the Transparency Blueprint document at https://lnkd.in/gs2K_79x #PublicSafety #LawEnforcement #Trust #Transparency Royal Canadian Mounted Police | Gendarmerie royale du Canada. Bryan M. Larkin

In my pre-Bain life I did a fair amount work focused on making government payments accessible, easy to use, and modern. Recent DOGE efforts draw attention to the need for improvement, but I fear the result will be chaos. But it is a wake-up call for how we can do better. Payment enabled eGov solutions ought to be seamless, secure, and efficient. Instead, they are often a mess of inefficiency, manual processes, and legacy systems that frustrate both citizens and businesses. Governments can (and must) do better. Based on my work with municipal, state/provincial, and national agencies here in the U.S. and abroad, here are my suggestions: 1️⃣ Go digital—but do it right Paper checks and manual processing should be relics of the past. e-payments reduce costs, increase speed, and improve security. But modernization needs to be done strategically, not as a rushed power grab. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) stresses the importance of clear policies to ensure smooth implementation. 2️⃣ Prioritize security and access controls One of DOGE’s biggest missteps was attempting to override Treasury’s existing safeguards. To retain trust, governments need to implement robust security protocols, multi-factor authentication, and access restrictions to prevent unauthorized use of sensitive financial data. 3️⃣ Build transparency and accountability Every payment should be auditable, and every decision should be accountable. Establishing clear oversight mechanisms prevents fraud and ensures public trust. Solutions like real-time transaction monitoring and transparent reporting help keep everyone honest. 4️⃣ Leverage APIs and interoperability Government payment systems should integrate seamlessly with banking infrastructure, tax agencies, and social services. APIs allow for better data exchange, reducing processing delays and ensuring more efficient fund distribution. 5️⃣ Ensure 24/7 availability Citizens rely on government payments for essentials. Government agencies can take advantage of round-the-clock payment rails. But real time payment infrastructure isn't enough. Gov agencies need redundancy measures in place to prevent downtime and must streamline internal processes to ensure that benefits and refunds aren’t delayed by bureaucratic inefficiencies. 6️⃣ Use smart reporting and analytics Robust data analytics can help detect anomalies, optimize agency cash flow management, and prevent fraud. Government entities should invest in AI-driven insights to improve forecasting and decision-making. The Path Forward Government payment modernization isn’t just about technology—it’s about trust. DOGE’s overreach highlights the dangers of prioritizing speed over thoughtful execution. The alternative? A strategic, well-governed shift toward digital, secure, and interoperable payments that serve the public good. The stakes are too high to get this wrong. Let’s make sure we get it right. (photo is me in Islamabad back in 2016)

I invite you to engage with my article on policing published by BusinessDay on why the ambitious efforts of Nigeria Police Forces Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun’s digital policing ambitions are hitting a foundational wall. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dyJqHsDz The global shift toward proactive policing and the integration of AI-powered systems offers immense potential for Nigeria to enhance its national security architecture. However, based on the strategic analysis my team and I recently completed, I see a critical disconnect. My key takeaway, as you will find in the article, is that simply acquiring new gadgets and software is a superficial and ultimately ineffective strategy. The most critical barriers to achieving operational effectiveness and deploying a true intelligence-led framework are not technological; they are profound, foundational issues. The reality I uncovered in the NPF is stark: introducing advanced technology into a system riddled with corruption and a lack of accountability will not improve efficiency. Instead, the technological investment risks being rendered useless by the environment or, worse, co-opted into the existing corrupt system. The strategic gaps I identified are primarily institutional: 1. Fiscal Integrity: Chronic underfunding and the pervasive misappropriation of resources mean new systems often lack the sustained maintenance and infrastructure required to function effectively.   2. Infrastructure Deficit: Insufficient electricity and unreliable internet connectivity render digital tools prone to frequent failure in critical operational environments.   3. Governance Crisis: I believe that introducing technology including new surveillance and analytics technology into a system lacking institutional accountability risks amplifying existing corruption, thereby eroding the already fragile public trust deficit.  I wholeheartedly agree with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun’s recent mandate that the NPF must embrace “speed, innovation, and foresight” to combat increasingly adaptive criminal syndicates. But this foresight, in my view, must start with deep governance reform. A modern NPF must first secure a new foundation of transparency and trust before its technological investments can yield sustainable results.  I welcome your engagement on this critical national issue. How can Nigeria prioritize foundational reform to ensure technology becomes an asset for justice, not a tool for systemic failure? #MyASIS Africa Center for Strategic Studies Security Industry Association (SIA) Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Policing Insight Security Management #policing #police #nationalsecurity #nationaldefence #nationaldefense #policereform

Is a centralized digital ID system an act of efficient governance or an invitation to surveillance? The architecture nations choose today defines tomorrow's digital social contract. In my latest newsletter, I compare three radically different approaches to e-government and data privacy in Nigeria, Estonia, and Rwanda: A. Nigeria (The Centralized Model): The NIMC’s unified database aims for efficiency but is struggling with a profound crisis of trust. Recurring data breaches have exposed sensitive details, with NINs and BVNs reportedly sold online for as little as ₦150. Legal clauses allowing data sharing without explicit individual consent in the "interest of National Security" further fuel public suspicion regarding surveillance. B. Estonia (The Distributed Model): Estonia built its digital state on trust through decentralization. Its data exchange layer, X-Road, adheres to the "Once-Only" principle, guaranteeing that citizens have full transparency over who accesses their data, setting a strong global standard for privacy by design. C. Rwanda (The Hybrid Model): Rwanda's Irembo platform prioritises inclusion. By combining online services with a robust network of over 4,000 physical agents, Rwanda ensures that citizens facing low digital literacy or lack of smart devices can still access essential services, bridging the digital divide. The operational critique is clear. The long-term success of digital public infrastructure hinges on governance, not just technology. Without robust legal safeguards and user control, systems designed for efficiency risk becoming tools of exclusion and control. Read the full article to see how these systems comply (or fail to comply) with modern data protection laws. #DigitalIdentity #Estonia #Nigeria #Rwanda #EGovernment #DataSovereignty #Privacy #TechPolicy

The OECD’s Governing with Artificial Intelligence report provides one of the most comprehensive examinations of how governments are moving from experimenting with AI to governing with it. The report makes clear that technology alone is not enough. Institutions, leadership, and trust determine whether AI improves public value or erodes it. What the paper outlines • The report draws from case studies across OECD countries and partner economies showing how AI is being used in policymaking, service delivery, and public administration • It identifies three main areas of focus: strategic leadership and policy coherence, responsible and trustworthy use, and enabling infrastructure and skills • The report stresses that fairness, accountability, and inclusion are essential to maintaining public trust • Building institutional capacity, improving data governance, and developing skilled workforces are critical for scaling AI responsibly Why this matters • AI is becoming a key capability for governments in policy design and service delivery • Responsible use frameworks protect rights, enhance accountability, and ensure fairness in automated decision-making • Institutional readiness, including leadership and legal frameworks, determines whether AI strengthens or weakens democratic governance • Public sector governance sets the tone for responsible AI use across society Key takeaways • Strategic coordination across government ensures coherence in AI use and oversight • Risk management, transparency, and explainability should be built into every stage of AI development and deployment • Training public servants in data literacy and ethical AI improves decision quality and accountability • Shared infrastructure and collaboration across borders can accelerate responsible innovation Who should act • Senior government leaders developing national strategies for AI and digital transformation • Policy and ethics teams embedding fairness and human oversight in design and deployment • Technical and data teams creating robust infrastructure and governance mechanisms • International organizations and partners working to harmonize standards and share best practices Action items • Develop whole-of-government frameworks that integrate transparency and accountability • Strengthen algorithmic governance and clear communication about how AI is used in public services • Invest in workforce training and institutional capacity for AI oversight and evaluation • Foster cooperation across governments to share evidence, tools, and lessons learned Bottom line The OECD’s Governing with Artificial Intelligence report shows that the question is no longer whether governments will use AI but how they will govern with it. Success depends on turning capability into accountability and ensuring that AI serves people transparently, responsibly, and with trust at its core.

Last week, the US Secret Service quietly tore down a SIM-farm outside New York with 300+ servers and nearly 100,000 SIM cards. That may sound like a hacker stunt. It’s not. It’s proof that you don’t need exotic tech to cripple critical public infrastructure. A relatively low-tech attack could jam mobile networks, flood 911, and put lives at risk. Canada and the US are both rolling out Next Generation 911. More powerful, more data, more connected. But also more exposed. Our systems don’t stop at the border. Neither do the risks. And it doesn’t end with 911. The electric grid is becoming more digital, more distributed, and more dependent on the very same public and private networks these attackers can exploit. What happens when the same kind of signaling storm that takes down a call center starts hitting the systems that keep the lights on? This wasn’t just a New York problem. It’s a warning shot for all of us. The infrastructure we count on every day, NG911, power, broadband, run on shared, fragile systems. Attacks don’t need to be high-tech to be high-impact. If we don’t take this seriously, across carriers, utilities, regulators, and governments,?we’re leaving the door wide open. The next “test” may not get dismantled in time. 📖 Full story via @TeckNexus: https://lnkd.in/gpSSKydQ #CyberSecurity #CriticalInfrastructure #NG911 #5G

The hardest part of building a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) isn’t the tech — it’s the political economy, the trust framework, and the pro-people safeguards that prevent elite capture. When I returned to NADRA for my second tenure, I thought I’d simply continue the work I began years earlier. But the terrain had shifted. The tech was faster, the ambitions bigger — and the political economy even more complex. In my new paper with the Center for Global Development (CGD) — Digital ID for Development and Smart Governance: Policy Lessons — I reflect on lessons from both my tenures: • Why governance and trust matter more than algorithms and hardware • How to embed pro-people safeguards that keep systems from being hijacked • How resilience in design ensures reforms outlast political cycles • Why true digital transformation is people-first, not tech-first • And crucially, policy lessons on how digital ID systems can advance inclusive development, poverty relief, financial inclusion, electoral integrity, and more • Sometimes, leadership means stepping aside rather than compromising the very values a system was built to protect This is not just a Pakistan story — it’s a global lesson for anyone building DPI: technology alone cannot deliver inclusion or trust. It’s the values, institutions, and safeguards we build around it that decide whether it empowers or controls. Many thanks to Alan Gelb for writing fantastic Preface, conducting peer review, and Emily Schabacker for editing it. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g7uv--EJ #DigitalID #SmartGovernance #DPI #PoliticalEconomy #GovTech #Inclusion #DigitalTransformation #CGD #Leadership #Integrity #privacy

"Trust is the New Electricity!" When I continuously speak about trust as the new electricity, I mean this: without it, nothing runs. AI governance, enterprise adoption, health, education, consumer markets, all of them rely on a current of trust flowing between stakeholders. Break that current, and systems stall. A deficit of trust is more than a reputational bruise. It means stakeholders reject new technology before it’s even trialed. It means teams hesitate, delaying adoption and slowing the scaling of enterprise strategy. It means fractured relationships across supply chains, students resisting AI in classrooms, and customers walking away from brands. This is why we must start treating trust as a form of ROI. Unlike quarterly earnings, it doesn’t show up instantly. Trust compounds quietly, like interest, and matures into the long-term viability of your business, institution, or innovation. So what do we do? We make trust intentional. We set it as a target, not an afterthought. That means: Building good AI governance frameworks that turn principles into enforceable practice. Embedding responsible AI into organizational DNA, not just compliance manuals. Treating staff rights, transparency, and human dignity as strategic assets, not obstacles. Including trust metrics in procurement conversations; asking not just what technology costs, but what credibility it earns or risks. The return on trust is resilience: enterprises that can weather scrutiny, institutions that keep public confidence, and technologies that are not merely adopted but embraced. This is why I see 'surveillance creep' as not just a privacy issue but a profound market risk. Lumiera’s latest newsletter captures it sharply: when surveillance seeps quietly into our kitchens, classrooms, and boardrooms, the price is not simply data - it is public trust. And once lost, that is the hardest currency to recover. Read their full piece here: Lumiera Newsletter, Issue 84: https://lnkd.in/eCy33x7B