Blockchain for Arkansas Conference
Digital technologies are disrupting industries and economies around the world. This creates both challenges and opportunities for policy makers and stakeholders seeking to grow industries and employment within their jurisdictions. Governor Asa Hutchinson announced a partnership with IBM to explore and promote potential uses for blockchain technology within various industries, to be known as Blockchain for Arkansas.
ActionCraft provided strategy and visual storytelling assistance for IBM and The Office of the Governor during the first Blockchain for Arkansas conference.
Governor's Roadmap
Governor Hutchinson charted a blockchain adoption roadmap that positions Arkansas on the cutting edge. That must start with focused investments in new talent. By building upon existing technology pilots focused on computer coding and cyber security simulations, Arkansas students and teachers are poised to add blockchain learning as the next logical tech building block. ActionCraft visual storyboards capture the key ideas and strategies generated at the summit.
Priority Recommendations
Working groups at the summit charted out some initial priorities to set a course for Industry and farmers to innovate with block chain technology and provide greater value to customers. Starting a block chain network and steering committee will help state leaders in business, education, and government refine these ideas into a working blueprint for the next year.
Vision for the Future
Walmart VP of Food Safety Frank Yiannas shared a vision for Arkansas as the “food basket to the nation and the world” using the Blockchain advantage to develop a smarter, safer, and more efficient food system.
Opportunity and Feasibility
IBM analysts and global leaders in block chain shared an update on how global regions, firms, and associations are designing early applications using block chain technology. Jason Kelly noted powerful impacts on people, workflow and processes, and more effective paperwork that are emanating from supply chains that are employing block chain to share permissioned data in big global networks that link food, logistics, and finance. We have the opportunity to adapt these early models and extend their lessons as we build applications relevant for Arkansas businesses.
