1. EU Blockchain Initiatives, Converging tech & data
Peteris Zilgalvis, Head of Unit
Digital Innovation and Blockchain Digital Single Market – DG CONNECT
European Commission

2. AN AMBITIOUS EU BLOCKCHAIN STRATEGY
EU Strategy
Blockchain holistic approach
ESTABLISHING GLOBAL LEADERSHIP IN BLOCKCHAIN AND DISTRIBUTED LEDGER TECHNOLOGIES
JOINED-UP POLITICAL VISION (EU-MS)
JOINT DECLARATION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EUROPEAN BLOCKCHAIN PARTNERSHIP [EBP] AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN BLOCKCHAIN SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE [EBSI] FOR CROSS-BORDER DIGITAL SERVICES OF PUBLIC INTEREST
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TRUSTED BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATIONS [INATBA]; A MULTISTAKEHOLDER ORGANISATION TO PROMOTE TRUST AND INTEROPERABILITY AT GLOBAL LEVEL
CONNECTING GLOBAL and EUROPEAN EXPERTISE
THE EU BLOCKCHAIN OBSERVATORY AND FORUM BRINGS TOGETHER THE LEADING GLOBAL EXPERTS TO IDENTIFY OBSTACLES, INCENTIVES AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO PROMOTE BLOCKCHAIN UPTAKE.
INVESTING IN EU RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND START-UPS
THROUGH THE CONNECTING EUROPE FACILITY AND H2020 PROGRAMMES, THE EU IS CO-INVESTING IN THE MOST ADVANCED DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE MOST INNOVATIVE EU START-UPS
NEW EU INVESTMENT SCHEME FOR AI AND BLOCKCHAIN + SUPPORT PROGRAMME
PROMOTING AN ENABLING DSM LEGAL FRAMEWORK, INTEROPERABLE STANDARDS and SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

3. Why AI & Blockchain?
Foundational technologies that will underpin the future of digital transformation across whole economy
deep-tech
at a stage of development where volumes of investments make a difference
embedding values of society
Leadership role of Europe
The EU has leading research, knowledge and talents
High AI and Blockchain standards (data/privacy protection; ethical guidelines and cybersecurity)
Engine for innovation-led economic growth
Role for public bodies and the private sector
AI declaration joined by all 28 Member States and Norway
Blockchain declaration with 28 Member States, Norway and Lichtenstein

4. AI/Blockchain Investment Fund
Investments in AI/Blockchain “made in Europe”
Investment for start-ups, early and growth stages
EUR 100 million (EU contribution in 2020)
With ambitious objectives:
Financing a portfolio of innovative AI/blockchain companies
Developing a dynamic EU-wide investors community focusing on AI
Scaling up the volume of investments at the national level by involving the national promotional banks (NPBs) that are willing to participate
Incentivising further private sector investments
making Europe become more attractive for start-ups to stay and grow
Prepare future support through InvestEU Programme (starting in 2021)

5. AI/Blockchain Investment Fund
Target: 1) SME & startups, for latest technology development as
well as applications adopting and scaling up AI/BT
2) AI and/or BT element is core for offering solutions
3) strong EU technology investor community (advice,
networking, management support, …)
Stage: early stage and growth stage
Instrument: existing instrument program managed by EIF (InnovFin Equity Facility – ESFI SME Window)
Total Volume: EUR 300m- leverage EU investments through
financial intermediaries (funds investing in AI & blockchain)
Possible co-investments by Member States (MS)
A priority action for MS under the Coordinated Plan on AI
More specifically: InnovFin Equity Facility for Early Stage - EFSI SMEW equity product
for leading AI and BT technology development
to adopt AI and BT in their products, services, businesses
early and growth stages
pilot of 100M ahead of InvestEU

6. Investment Support Program
Enabling AI/Blockchain Ecosystems
Rapid Market Assessment/ Market Consultations : identify key investment gaps and geographic prirorities
Awareness Raising and Community-Building by connecting innovators with investors
Knowledge Sharing through a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on digital innovations
Matchmaking between AI/blockchain startups and finance community
Portfolio development of investment ready projects
Investment Portal virtual marketplace for AI/blockchain innovators, researchers, the VC community and investors

7. More info: https://www. openaccessgovernment

8. EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum Achievements
Ten
Blockchain and Governance
Digital Assets
Prepared by ConsenSys for the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum

9. BlockchainS compatibility with GDPR
“GDPR compliance is not about the technology, it is about how the technology is used. Just like there is no GDPR-compliant Internet, or GDPR-compliant artificial intelligence algorithm, there is no such thing as a GDPR-compliant blockchain technology. There are only GDPR-compliant use cases and applications.”

10. Evolution from above: the GDPR
Focus on GDPR
Evolution from above: the GDPR
Roles
Data subject
Data controller
Data processor
Principles
Lawfulness, fairness and transparency
Purpose limitation
Data minimization
Accuracy
Storage limitation
Integrity and confidentiality
Rights
Rectification
Erasure
Access
Related to automated processing
Obligations
Lawfulness
Data protection by default and design
Security of personal data
Territoriality
Governance – DPO, DPIA
Personal Data: ‘any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person’.

11. Practical tips
Four rule-of-thumb principles to consider when designing blockchain-based applications
Start with the big picture: how user value is created, how is data used, and what is blockchain really used for.
Avoid storing personal data on a blockchain. Make full use of data obfuscation, encryption and aggregation techniques in order to anonymise data.
Collect personal data off-chain or, if the blockchain can’t be avoided, on private permissioned blockchain networks. Consider personal data carefully when connecting private blockchains with public ones.
Continue to innovate, and be as clear and transparent as possible with users. 11

12. (regulation, technologies, society and new business models)
Convergence
INATBA Congress
The Global Blockchain
Congress - Málaga, Spain
11–13 November
Programme to be released –
tickets available!
An event all about
Convergence
(regulation, technologies, society and new business models)

13. Thank you!
@EUBlockchain
@PZilgalvis