Welcome to Digital Decisions, a podcast that goes beyond the headlines and digs into how societies are transforming their economies using digital tools, and the decisions leaders face politically, technically and morally as they implement these choices.

Why should this matter to you?

If you've ever...

• undergone facial recognition at the airport,

• cast your vote electronically,

• settled bills or taxes online,

• accessed your educational or medical records via the internet,

then you've interacted with one of these systems. The reality is, these digital systems are increasingly repositories of your information. Some are administered by corporations, while others are overseen by governments, but the data they exchange is unequivocally yours, and this data flow is expanding.

Our aspiration is that DPI can truly serve all of society. DPI, at its core, comprises a constellation of interoperable software building blocks and standards that nations and enterprises leverage to deliver services to individuals. These are undoubtedly technical constructs, but they transcend mere technology. They also encompass the policies that govern them, who has access to them, and the protocols for safeguarding your information.

Who am I, you ask? I'm Kate Wilson, and I'm deeply passionate about the transformative potential of digital technology on a global scale. However, I am also deeply concerned about its potential for misuse. Over the past three decades, I've collaborated with national governments and technology innovators dedicated to reshaping their economies and delivering services to their citizens. I firmly believe that we all must deepen our understanding of this burgeoning field. Thus, I launched this podcast to delve into the compelling narratives shared by countries as they navigate the intricate choices within this dynamic domain.

Each month, I'll be joined by emerging researchers and visionaries from across the world who are instrumental in the decisions that impact you. Our series scrutinizes what it truly entails to construct a national platform and who wields the power to shape it. We explore not just building a platform but the formidable task of running it seamlessly at scale. We dive into the realm of political, policy and financial backing required to ensure that the system serves and safeguards everyone. In essence, our series provides answers to the questions our listeners - individuals who are both living and molding the DPI landscape each day - wish they had been privy to from the very beginning.

We are well aware that digital transformation is a complex web, but by pooling our collective wisdom on what works and what pitfalls to avoid, we might just be able to forge a brighter digital future together.