Lessons from Will.I.am at #WEF2019
Five years ago at the World Economic Forum, Will.I.am predicted that in 2019 people would care a lot about Data and their identity. To express his prediction he coined a word “idatity”. His prediction has proven to be correct. In 2019, during the World Economic Forum week in Switzerland (Davos), Will.I.am has again predicted that in the next five years data and identity will be key. Writing for The Economist magazine Will.I.am, who is besides being a musician is also a tech entrepreneur, has indicated that companies of the future will have more respect for peoples data.
He lambasted current tech companies that are abusing user data and called them Data Monarchs. He wrote that currently, there’s is no data freedom when the options of who to sign up with are limited, the data monarchs rake in billions and all that users get is a “free” account bursting with advertising and lame “sponsored content”. He felt that the current arrangement feels lopsided, benefiting the data monarchs more than it benefits individuals and communities. He predicts that such companies will not survive.
He outlined that companies that will survive and remain relevant are companies that will inform their users about usage of their data. They will also be companies that find better uses for user data and in the process add value for consumers. He pointed out that currently gadgets may count user steps, but they aren’t seeing the big picture: what the user ate, how the user felt. According to Will.I.am new services, built from the point of view of the consumer, will benefit they users by sharing and interconnecting the users own data, rather than selling it on. He believes that when more trust is established, the users personal “agent” or “assistant” should merge relevant things together that are currently just disconnected data points.
He challenged todays data monarchs and the next generation of leaders to put their energies into data and AI that serve humanity first, instead of designing platforms bent on controlling humanity with money as the primary goal.
As African business and government leaders are coming back from the WEF in 2019, it is important that they take points highlighted by Will.I.am into account.
The time is now to implement insights and ideas that were gathered at WEF. Part of this process will have to include creating a body that will protect the data of the African continent. Technology business leaders will have to begin a process of building businesses that respects peoples data.
Apps and technologies by local technology startups would have to find ways of using data to add value to the lives of people and not abuse it. Any tech companies that are abusing data of the African continent should begin a process of correcting this practice.
Consumers on the other hand should take a stand and call for ownership of their own data. This process will be hard but it is necessary.