The Fluid Nature of Who We Are.
For much of our lifetimes, the concept of “identity” has been more or less fixed: a combination of names, numbers, and traits that signify who we are to whoever is asking. But as we hurtle into an uncharted and rapidly expanding future, our identities require new containers, new language, and a higher degree of individual ownership. This article seeks to explore and reimagine how the future of identity can be unlocked, promoting fluidity and self-expression across our physical and digital selves. But above all, as a wallet company, we’re in the business of encouraging you to be YOU—however you choose to identify.
Can I see your ID? It’s a question we hear all the time, in a variety of places and contexts in the physical world. Ordering a pint at the pub, checking in at the doctor, printing a boarding pass at the airport, signing over a car title at the DMV, getting pulled over by the Po-Po… the list goes on. For the longest time, we’ve accepted this as standard practice. We reach into our wallet, pull out our Driver’s License or Passport or ID Card, and just like that, we fill the request and move on. And the digital world is not much different. We land on a new website or download an app, enter our login credentials (again and again), or we connect another identifier—our face, our fingerprint, our digital wallet—and simply click SUBMIT.
This type of identity ritual is one of the ways we are continually granted membership to society, a status that Smithsonian Scientist Mark W. Moffett calls both “involuntary and expected.” In order to belong, we have to participate, and in order to participate, we have to show our credentials. We don’t have much of a choice, so our response becomes largely automated. But is there something we’re giving up by doing it this way? In a world where identity grants access, how do we promote privacy and autonomy and truly own who we are?
In this article we’ll begin unpacking these identity rituals, and briefly address several closely-related vectors such as self-expression, security, privacy, accessibility, and interoperability, to name a few. In the coming weeks, we’ll look forward to augmenting our thinking with a global perspective as we continue our wallet research—a study on how individuals interact with their wallets, and how in turn those wallets are an extension of their unique identity. This will be critically important as the notion of “identity” varies greatly depending on geographical location, culture, available infrastructure, etc. and as such, so will the wallet(s) we use to organize our respective lives—wherever we call home.
A Working Definition.
To begin, let’s start with a few definitions pulled from the ol’ web. “Identity is the unique set of characteristics that can be used to identify a person and themself and no other… the fact of being who or what a person or thing is… a combination of your physical and behavioral traits that define who you are… a person’s sense of self…”
These sound great on paper, but what happens when our unchosen identifiers clash with our chosen identifiers? What happens when we outgrow the person we once were? What happens when our interests change, our likes and dislikes evolve, our talent and abilities expand, our goals, and even our values and beliefs shift over time? How do we protect from theft, or from our most sensitive self-identifying data being associated with our core identity at the wrong time or place?
The long-standing posture of the modern world leads us to believe we don’t have control over this; we can’t change who we are. Our names, our numbers, and the societies we’re born into are chosen for us. In some respects, we can make moves to shift course on our own, but not without leaving a permanent trail of digital footprints. Even simple tasks like applying for a line of credit or building a resume remind us that we can change where we’re going, but not where we’ve come from.
But even so, identity is a vast, complex, ever-evolving thing that spans physical, psychological, and interpersonal characteristics. Not only markers like height, weight, and date of birth, but it also inevitably includes race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical attributes, personality, political affiliations, medical history, religious beliefs, social roles, and professional identities. Identity is the places we go, the objects we own, the money we make and how we spend it. It’s where we live, what we do, how we communicate. And so much more.
In many ways, identity is not a static thing—much less relegated to a piece of plastic in your wallet or a multi-character sequence of alphanumeric digits you use to login to your favorite social media app. Or a 12-word passphrase you use to access your digital wallet.
“Now more than ever, we are moving toward a future where identity can be expressed in nearly infinite ways, and can be what you want it to be. Yesterday, your identity was singular, static, and permanent. Today, your identity is adaptable, fractional, composable. Tomorrow, who knows…”
These implications are double-edged—with increased freedom in expression comes a need for increased autonomy—which makes it exciting and empowering. With that in mind, a few vectors to consider are outlined below. Keep in mind this is not an all-inclusive list, but rather, the tip of the proverbial identity iceberg. As you read, ask yourself: How do I identify? PS. There is no right answer 🤗
Your Self-Expression.
Identity systems have a significant impact on how individuals express themselves, especially online. Current identity systems often constrain self-expression by limiting the ways in which users can present themselves. In the future, identity systems will need to be more flexible, allowing users to express their identity in a more nuanced and authentic way. This could involve incorporating features like nicknames, pseudonyms, or multi-modal expressions that reflect different aspects of a person’s identity. By empowering individuals to express themselves more freely, we can create more inclusive and diverse online communities—vital in a world where so much of who we are exists online. For example, gaming platforms allowing customizable pronouns or dynamically expressive avatars, as a starting place.
The rise of AI presents even further complexities when it comes to the notion of self-expression. On the one hand, AI can be a powerful tool to create and protect new identity expressions, with growing capabilities to reinforce the softer and more fluid extensions of how we identify ourselves—responding to texts and emails on our behalf, and supporting us in completing analytical or creative projects. But for many, these capabilities seem threateningly “human,” encroaching on the very aspects of our identity that feel the most irreplaceably individual and from which we derive our sense of self-esteem, for example. The self-expression of the future, and the products that represent those expressions, will have to feel truly ownable; if the wallet of the future is ever communicating on your behalf, it will have to replicate your personal grammar so that the AI-generated response truly sounds like you—and no one else. Not a replacement of your identity, merely a convenient component of it.
With the rapid expansion of this emerging tech, people now more than ever are looking for products that reflect who they are. The wallet of the future will need to blur the lines between hybrid selves, for example your social media self, work self, at-home self, and so on. This might include incorporating aesthetic features like customizable themes or personalized branding, and functional features that leverage your preference data and learn your behaviors, routines, and personal methods over time. By empowering users to express themselves more freely, the wallet of the future can become more than just a financial tool, but a dynamic reflection of a person’s holistic identity system.
Your Security System.
As we continue to digitize more aspects of our lives, the need for secure identity systems is more critical than ever. Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and in a world where our identities are expanding into new facets across uncharted territories, security will have to extend beyond simply keeping our passphrases secure. To address these challenges, the future of identity systems will require a multi-faceted approach to security that includes biometrics, encryption, and decentralized systems that give users more control over their data.
The wallet of the future will need to prioritize security by implementing these robust authentication protocols to ensure that users’ personal and financial data is protected. Additionally, decentralized identity systems could be integrated into the wallet, giving users more control over their data and reducing the risk of data breaches or misuse. By prioritizing security, the wallet of the future can provide users with greater peace of mind when it comes to managing not only finances, but the various facets of your life. Building identity systems with robust security measures ensures we can create a more trustworthy and resilient digital economy—one that is inextricably tethered to the real world.
Your Privacy Partner.
As the debate around privacy continues to intensify, identity systems are coming under greater scrutiny. Many people are rightly concerned about the amount of personal data that is collected, shared, and sold by large centralized corporations. To address this challenge, the future of identity systems will need to prioritize user privacy by adopting a “privacy by design” approach with decentralization as a core tenet. This means designing systems, including wallets, that minimize the collection of personal data, giving users greater control over—and ownership of—their data, and incorporating privacy-enhancing technologies and primitives like encryption and zero-knowledge proofs, a blockchain-based security protocol that allows users to prove possession of information without revealing what the information is.
Your Accessibility Ally.
One of the biggest challenges facing identity systems today is accessibility. Many people lack access to identity systems, which can limit their ability to participate in the digital economy. In the future, identity systems will need to be more inclusive, ensuring that everyone has access to an identity that is recognized by businesses and governments. This will require innovative solutions that address the unique needs of different communities, including those who lack access to smartphones or internet connectivity, for example. The possibilities are endless for innovation here.
The wallet(s) of the future will need to be more accessible, ensuring that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or technological literacy, can access and use the wallet. This could involve developing mobile wallets that work on low-end smartphones, or incorporating features like voice recognition or text-to-speech to make the wallet more accessible for people with disabilities. Additionally, the wallet could be designed to work offline, ensuring that users in areas with poor internet connectivity can still access their digital goods. After all, “offline is the new luxury.” By prioritizing accessibility, the wallet of the future can become a tool for not financial inclusion, but individual empowerment across the board.
Your Interoperability Engine.
The lack of interoperability between identity systems is a significant barrier to their widespread adoption. Currently, there are many different identity systems that operate in silos, making it difficult for individuals to use their identity across multiple platforms. In the future, identity systems will need to be more interoperable, allowing users to seamlessly port their identity from one system to another. This will require the development of unifying standards and protocols that enable identity systems to communicate with each other, creating a more seamless and efficient digital experience for everyday users.
The wallet of the future will need to be more interoperable too, allowing users to seamlessly move their assets and identity across different platforms and ecosystems with confidence. This could involve incorporating open standards and protocols that allow the wallet to communicate with other wallets. Additionally, the wallet could be designed to work with multiple currencies and payment methods, providing users with greater flexibility and choice. By prioritizing interoperability, the wallet of the future can become a central hub for managing all aspects of a user’s financial life in particular, and lifestyle more broadly, regardless of platform preference.
Your Proof of Personhood.
Identity has always been a form of currency. It’s how we vote in elections, position ourselves to earn money, build our social cache, and generally make our way through the world. But when it comes to our digital identity, proving we are who we say we are is going to be a massive variable of being on the internet in the future. While false digital identities—like social media bots and fake user profiles—aren’t new, they’re currently fairly easy to spot. But with AI rapidly becoming increasingly more sophisticated in its communication, problem solving, and reasoning capabilities, it will soon become virtually impossible to determine whether an online presence is human or not. This has massive implications for politics, advertising, and the distribution and influence of information—albeit true or false.
There are already companies dedicated to providing humans with a “proof of personhood,” a method that will allow users to determine whether they are communicating with an actual person or a neural network while online. One of these is Worldcoin, cofounded by Sam Altman, the founder and CEO of ChatGPT’s parent company OpenAI. Worldcoin will use AI to prove user’s identities with a system they call “proof of humanity,” using an iris-scanning system to assign users with a unique cryptographic hash called a Global ID that’s stored securely and anonymously. Along with developing a means of proving personhood, Worldcoin also aims to develop a global currency, along with an app that facilitates purchases and payments with its own token. Think things are wild now? Just wait…
The wallet of the future will need to incorporate some type of physical-digital-proving system as a means of both providing security and guarding the value of our identity’s individual “currency.” While our identity expressions may be malleable, our unique personhood is a fixed variable, theoretically—an inextricable part of who we are and the influence we hold in the world. But who knows, this could all change too ;)
A Look Ahead.
Taking a closer look at self-expression, security, privacy, accessibility, interoperability, and proof of personhood is just the beginning. The future of identity systems is going to be a big bear to tackle, but we’re encouraged by the innovations we’re already seeing in the Web3 and AI space to address it—though as we’ve seen, technology needs to be handled with care. And in the physical world, we’re seeing progress too—for example certain states in the US are beginning to roll out Digital ID Cards to replace the standard issue Driver’s License. These are all interesting signals of what’s to come, and we’ll continue to post about them as we’re inspired and educate ourselves on the matter. In the meantime, here’s a few additional articles written by some super smart people, if you want to dive deeeeeeper into the future of identity:
Now, go be you ✌️
