The explosive mix of forces sweeping most aspects of our lives

TL;DR

George Zarkadakis discusses the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of technology, democracy, and social innovation in his book on cyber security and democracy.

Transcript

i'm your host effie pilarino and today i have the pleasure to have in our company george zarkadakis who is the digital lead at willis tower watson and i believe that he's also a fellow at the atlantic council am i correct george yes that's correct absolutely it's a think tank in washington great first of all welcome and tell us a little bit more ab... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The economic crisis of 2008-2009 significantly impacted citizens' trust in liberal democracy.
• 😮 The rise of technology, including AI and data, has created a need to rethink how technology can be repurposed for better outcomes in democracy and reducing income inequality.
• 👶 UBI should not solely rely on government administration but should be approached with innovative ideas, such as using data trusts or creating new business models.
• ❓ Data trusts offer a solution for data sharing between companies while ensuring transparency, encryption, and privacy.
• 😫 Technology provides exponential value when data sets are combined, creating opportunities for social innovation and economic growth.
• 👶 Society needs to adopt a new ideology that recognizes the potential of technology and explores new economic models based on abundance rather than scarcity.

Questions & Answers

Q: What triggered George Zarkadakis to write his book on cyber security and democracy?

George Zarkadakis was motivated to write the book after witnessing the economic crisis of 2008-2009 and the subsequent decline in citizens' trust in liberal democracy.

Q: How does Zarkadakis propose repurposing technology for better outcomes in democracy and reducing income inequality?

Zarkadakis believes in using technology to create new business models for digital platforms, new ways for citizens to participate in the economy, and harnessing the power of data to generate new sources of income.

Q: What is Zarkadakis' take on universal basic income (UBI)?

Zarkadakis supports UBI but suggests that it should not be delivered solely by the government. He advocates for entrepreneurial approaches to funding UBI, such as using data trusts or creating new business models that deliver both social and financial value.

Q: What is the concept of data trusts?

Data trusts are legal structures administered by individuals with fiduciary responsibility to data providers. They facilitate data sharing between companies by ensuring transparency and providing technologies for encryption and privacy. Data trusts can also be used as a resource for funding income, innovation, and public services.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• George Zarkadakis is the digital lead at Willis Tower Watson, an international consulting organization focused on risk, insurance, and HR.

• He is also a fellow at the Atlantic Council, a US think tank that aims to strengthen trans-economic bonds between North America, Europe, and Canada.

• His book, "Cyber Security and Democracy," explores the impact of technology, including AI, automation, and data, on trust in democratic systems and proposes solutions for social innovation.