In a world that moves towards Web3 and decentralisation, the concept and applications of digital public infrastructure undergoes a profound transformation. Traditional implementations, which predominantly involved layering digital services atop centralised infrastructure, have effectively fulfilled their roles in catalysing GDP growth and fostering digital financial inclusion by extending access to underserved populations and creating efficiencies. To make a meaningful impact on today and tomorrow’s global landscape, it becomes imperative to reimagine digital public infrastructure. This reimagination must focus on scalability and investment, unlocking the full potential of a truly cross-border and inclusive model accessible to all.

This roundtable will focus on a series of pertinent questions that arise when looking at a next-generation digital public infrastructure: 
- Has the pursuit of an equitable playing field inadvertently imposed limits on the potential for commerce, investment, and innovation?
- As the world moves towards a Web3 world, what are the implications for digital public infrastructure? Do the layers need to evolve and are additional layers or frameworks required? How can Web3 technologies be used to generate even more value?
- Lastly, how can interoperability between different countries be achieved to drive cross-border inclusion?

Generative AI: The Future of Consumer Financial Protection?

1. Risks to Financial Consumers from Generative AI: What are the potential risks and challenges that financial consumers might face due to the widespread adoption of generative AI in the finance sector?

2. Potential Benefits for Financial Consumers from Generative AI:How can generative AI bring about potential benefits and improvements in services for financial consumers and consumer financial health. What are some examples of its positive impact?

3. How Generative AI Might Be a Useful New Tool for Regulators: In what ways can regulators harness the capabilities of generative AI to enhance their monitoring, oversight, and policymaking in the financial sector?

To include 1.4 billion financially excluded citizens in the digital economy, open, instant payment systems connecting entire populations are necessary. However, concerns about digital sovereignty and the risk of digital and data colonialism are growing in African and Asian emerging economies. These nations need control over their technology, data, and hardware infrastructure to protect individuals' data, enhance competitiveness, and safeguard core values and strategic interests. This is crucial as numerous small African and Asian countries face challenges in achieving inclusive instant payment systems like what larger countries like India have accomplished in this domain.

The panel discussion will explore:
•  Challenges of establishing robust digital sovereignty frameworks while enhancing financial inclusion, access, and security.
•  Significance of data sovereignty in empowering emerging nations' financially inclusive ecosystems will be addressed, along with the obstacles encountered.
•  Collaborative approaches, technological solutions, and open-source frameworks to facilitate inclusive digital financial services, especially in Africa.
 
Join us to empower nations in emerging economies and unlock the full potential of the digital inclusive economy.