The UK Centre for Blockchain Technologies (UK CBT) took part in the 16th Global Empowerment Meeting (GEM25), held on 28th–29th April 2025 at Harvard Business School. Organised by the Harvard Center for International Development (CID) and co-hosted with the Digital Data Design (D³) Institute, the event convened over 200 global delegates to explore the role of artificial intelligence in driving inclusive economic growth, particularly in emerging markets.

GEM25 brought together heads of state, ministers, academics, and industry leaders from more than 50 countries, focusing on how AI and digital technologies can support equitable development. UK CBT Deputy Director Dr. Francesco Pierangeli co-led one of the incubation room sessions, titled: ‘Regulation and the Governance of the Digital Commons.’

The session examined how decentralised technologies, such as blockchain and generative AI, can contribute to more transparent, inclusive, and equitable governance of digital infrastructure. Participants engaged in cross-disciplinary discussions, exploring governance models that promote public trust and responsible innovation in the context of a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Discussions highlighted the need for frameworks that support both innovation and public accountability, especially where digital resources intersect with critical sectors such as finance, education, and public services. Models considered included token-based governance, open data registries, and hybrid regulatory systems designed to work across jurisdictions.

Key outcomes from the session were submitted to the GEM Incubation Fund, which offers the potential for seed funding to further develop high-impact proposals and support cross-sector collaboration. These contributions reflect an ongoing commitment to shaping digital policy that centres on ethical design, long-term resilience, and inclusive development.

UK CBT’s participation in GEM25 underlines its role in shaping responsible digital governance through research-led engagement. By contributing to global platforms such as GEM, the Centre continues to advance dialogue at the intersection of technology, regulation, and inclusive economic progress.

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