Key Enabling Technologies Convergence Blockchain – AI – IoT

Smart Industry – The inevitable convergence of Articial Intelligence, Blockchain and the IoT (Internet of Things) will form an impactful combination of security, interconnectivity and autonomy to bring about a revolution in the way processes run. A combination of Blockchain, AI and the IoT technologies that influence the potential of how companies, industries and even economies function will redefine these three more than they do now.

Digital innovation in East Netherlands

The digitisation of our society accelerates faster and further, thanks to the progress made in the information and communication technologies (ICT). This leads to new data-driven activities. Digitisation and the key-technology ICT are essential in creating solutions to major challenges and transitions in all sectors of society and economy. Also, digitisation is crucial to the transformation of sectors and companies in the economic value chain. For this, a further development of the right skills, systems and services is essential. It imposes new challenges for companies, also in East Netherlands. Read more: digitalisation strategy

Artificial Intelligence in East Netherlands

East Netherlands offers expertise and experience with the development and implementation of Artifical Intelligence in business and industry. See the infographic of our  regional AI ecosystem: several universities conduct research in this field. Institutions for applied sciences work together with industry to implement AI in SMEs.

The AI ecosystem (click on picture for download)

Read more: Artificial Intelligence

Blockchain in East Netherlands

In 2019, Jan Veuger was appointed as Professor Blockchain, Saxion University of Applied Sciences in East Netherlands. The Saxion UAS Blockchain research group conducts interdisciplinary research into which issues Blockchain is suitable for, under which conditions, for which organizations Blockchain is interesting and what the impact is on organizations. The research group develops methods and tools for Blockchain applications and their implementation. Jan Veuger focuses on Blockchain and its impact on the new economy and society.

Overview of grants and publications P – Prof. Dr. JanVeuger

Download Presentation Blockchain Research

Applications

Some applications and concepts have already shown an overlap between these technologies with promising results . An example of this is the combination of AI and Blockchain to manage the Unmanned Aerial/Air/Airborne Vehicle (UAV) air traffic, making mass autonomous flying safer. This application alone will redefine the aviation and logistics business.

Source: Blockchain Convergence, Jan Veuger, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, East Netherlands

Benefits

The convergence of Blockchain, AI and the IoT can enable organizations to maximize the benefits of each of these technologies while at the same time minimizing the risks and limitations associated with them. Given that the IoT networks include a large number of connected devices, there are numerous vulnerabilities in the network, making the network susceptible to hacker attacks, fraud and theft. To prevent security issues, AI powered by machine learning can proactively defend itself against malware and hacker attacks. The security of the network and the data can be further improved by means of a Blockchain that can minimize illegal access to and alteration of the data on the network. AI can also improve the functional capacity of the IoT network by making it more autonomous and smarter.

Best practices

A proven convergence of Blockchain, AI and the IoT is, for example, Fujitsu’s algorithm to measure the heat stress levels of employees. The algorithm constantly monitors the physiological data of employees (temperature, humidity, activity levels, pulse etc.) using portable In-vitro Diagnostic Devices (IDA) and sensors to track the correlation between various factors related to employee health. The analysis can help the organization to improve working conditions and prevent employee health problems. Applying Blockchain to this system can help to keep more personalized data by safeguarding privacy or can help pay out health insurance amounts through Smart contracts.

Expected impact

The expected impact of the convergence of Blockchain, AI and the IoT is not (yet) foreseeable, and existing applications are not (yet) perfect. Many organizations , especially the early adopters, are very enthusiastic about the value of cognitive technologies and therefore want to invest in it. Findings from applications are now (still) at an early stage and are not yet as advanced as necessary to achieve real transformation, nor are the business models that will be key in this. The same can be said of the IoT and Blockchain. With increased interest, investment and innovation, the convergence of the Blockchain, AI and the IoT will become reality.

Mainstream adaptation by 2025

By 2025, Blockchain will be widely represented in mainstream business. Of all the organizations that implement Blockchain, only 3% do this on a large scale, and 10% are in the pilot phase. The remaining 87% are in the first stage of the experimental phase’ (Capgemini 2018). The Netherlands is in the middle bracket. The UK is the leader, followed by America, France, Sweden and Germany, followed by the Netherlands.

Downloads

• Overview Publications, Grants and Achievements Jan Veuger 01.03.2020
• Presentation Research Group Blockchain Saxion University of Applied Sciences East Netherlands