On January 23, global experts from business, government, and the social sector discussed how digital identification can provide both economic and societal benefit, as well the keys to success in implementing digital ID. They also discussed how to guard against the challenges of digital ID as a potential “dual-use technology” that can be used to the benefit of society but can also be used for undesirable purposes.
This panel discussion included Mike Kubzansky, managing partner of Omdiyar Network; James Manyika, chairman and director of the McKinsey Global Institute; Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and founding chairman of UIDAI; Jüri Ratas, prime minister of Estonia; and Mary Snapp, corporate vice president of philanthropies at Microsoft. It was streamed live from the 2019 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, and the recording of the live event is available to view on-demand below.
About digital identification
In an era of rapid technological change, digital identification provides a significant opportunity for value creation for individuals and institutions.
Nearly one billion people globally lack a legally recognized form of identification, according to the World Bank ID4D database. The rest of the world’s 6.6 billion people either have some form of identification but limited access to services that increasingly are being provided online, or they are active online but struggle to keep track of their digital footprint securely and efficiently.
Individuals can use digital identification, or “digital ID,” to be verified unambiguously through a digital channel, unlocking access to banking, government benefits, education, and many other critical services.
Programs employing this relatively new technology have had mixed success to date—many have failed to attain even modest levels of usage, while a few have achieved large-scale implementation. Yet well-designed digital ID not only enables civic and social empowerment, but also makes possible real and inclusive economic gains—a less well understood aspect of the technology.
Digital identification: A key to inclusive growth
In new research, the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) develops a framework to understand the potential economic impact of digital ID, informed by an analysis of nearly 100 ways in which digital ID can be used, with deep dives into seven diverse economies. The potential for economic value creation could be significant as “good” digital ID increases inclusion, formalization, and transparency while promoting digitization, however risks need to be addressed.
