A future casting research and world-building case study that captures the possibilities of Blockchain technology applied to a decentralized international traveler identity in 2040.
STEEPX analysis
Morphological (Morph) analysis
Causal Layered Analysis (CLA mapping)
These tools were used to explore future trends, potential touch-points, and cultural sentiments during the year 2040.
Physical Documents No More -Will be placed at security checkpoints in airports & transit stations, replacing the need to bring physical documents for domestic & international travel.
Increased Transit Efficiency - The single traveler identity decentralizes the ownership of data, decreasing security concerns over the transit of data to multiple international ports.
Various Biometric Modalities Palm scanning uses infrared light to map the palm's vein patterns–it is generally more reliable than a fingerprint, but various biometric modalities such as eye/facial scanning can be considered.
Our goal here isn't to actually predict the future with 100% accuracy; rather, like other futurecasting studies done before us, we want to explore plausible innovations backed by data-driven insights that may shape the future of travel depending on how certain political, technological, cultural, and economical factors play out in the next 15 years.
Though 2040 may not perfectly fit into any one of these futures, it will likely include elements from all matrices.
I determined these potential futures based off of the most pressing commonalities driving innovation: Ecological Sustainability and Socioeconomic Equity/Access.
These explorations were based on desktop research of current trends, emerging technologies, social attitudes, and futurist insights from McKinsey, Robb Report, Forrester, Forbes, Science Direct, Millennium Project, Deloitte, WGSN, KPMG International, & the United Nations.
Memristor processors (or another form of increased bandwidth) to run blockchain efficiently and maximize storage capacity
Web3 blockchain-driven platform & 7G internet connectivity (1000x 5G) or similar technology
Multipoint Biometric Technology is deployable in most major airports in multiple modalities, (i.e. Infrared Palm Scanning, Facial Recognition, etc...)
Increase in international travel and cultural exchange
My identity info, my ownership. Biometric tech is democratized and more normalized in daily life.
Decentralized tech is now considered a net positive thanks to carefully crafted positive press over the years, noting its superior security strengths in the medical, financial, and government sectors.
If given more time, I would love to continue designing the role that the blockchain traveler's identity will have in other travel checkpoints such as baggage drop and more. I would also explore other biometric modalities (facial recognition, retinal scanning, etc....) that may be more accessible to more groups.
I learned that it's not always about racing to ideate technology that doesn't yet exist, but rather figuring out ways in which existing technology can be integrated into the culture and politics of a future society.
Biometric scanning is already pretty viable; the challenges to consider would involve scaling and processing capacity that will pose to be a challenge in international travel and multiple governmental bodies. We would need to be able to develop that at a rapid pace in order to truly streamline the general travel experience.
