Washington State Blockchain Working Group Fails to Deliver, Highlights Challenges for Future Task Forces
Government inefficiencies and changing technology landscape contribute to the failure of the blockchain working group in Washington state.
In 2022, legislators in Olympia passed a bill to establish a working group tasked with assessing the potential of blockchain technology in Washington state. However, despite the mandate to convene and produce a report, the working group never met, and the legislation has since expired. The failure of the blockchain working group sheds light on government inefficiencies, lack of political will, and the rapidly evolving technological landscape. This setback serves as a lesson for future working groups, including the proposed AI task force and a new iteration of the blockchain working group, which aims to overcome the challenges faced by its predecessor.
Government Inefficiencies and Lack of Political Will:
The primary reason behind the failure of the blockchain working group can be attributed to government inefficiencies and a lack of political will. The Department of Commerce, responsible for appointing the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector Lead to oversee the working group, did not have a replacement in place when the group was supposed to convene. This crucial vacancy hindered the progress of the working group, leaving its members frustrated and unable to fulfill their mandate.
Arry Yu, chair of the Cascadia Blockchain Council and a member of the working group, expressed her disappointment, stating that the legislation was significant because it mandated the collaboration of the entire blockchain community. However, without the key person in place to facilitate the meetings, the group was unable to move forward.
Changing Technological Landscape:
Another factor that contributed to the failure of the blockchain working group was the shifting technological landscape. As newer technologies emerged, such as ChatGPT, the allure of blockchain diminished. Joseph Williams, the current ICT lead, acknowledged that the excitement around blockchain waned as venture capitalist interest shifted towards more monetizable technologies. The lack of investment and interest in blockchain affected the working group’s ability to gather support and resources.
A New Iteration: Smaller and Volunteer-Based:
Despite the setbacks, Joseph Williams is determined to produce the promised report on the blockchain landscape in Washington. A smaller working group, consisting of volunteers without a legislative mandate, has convened to work on the report. With nearly 100% attendance at the first meeting, it is evident that the community recognizes the importance of this endeavor. The working group aims to complete the report by May, focusing on practical applications of blockchain technology that can benefit the citizens of Washington state.
Lessons for Future Task Forces:
The failure of the blockchain working group serves as a valuable lesson for future task forces. Senator Joe Nguyen, who is sponsoring a bill to create an AI task force, emphasizes the need to avoid the pitfalls faced by the blockchain working group. He believes that blockchain lacked the same level of energy and support from stakeholders, making it a pet issue for some legislators rather than a shared priority. In contrast, AI legislation has garnered widespread interest, with many stakeholders eager to contribute.
Nguyen aims to create a smaller AI task force with an executive committee of eight to ten members, divided into subcommittees focusing on specific topics. He acknowledges that legislating technology is a challenge for the government, which is often geared towards solving yesterday’s problems. However, he emphasizes the importance of thoughtful policymaking to mitigate negative impacts without stifling innovation.
Conclusion:
The failure of the Washington state blockchain working group highlights the challenges faced by government-led task forces. Government inefficiencies, lack of political will, and the evolving technological landscape all played a role in the group’s inability to meet and produce a report. However, a new iteration of the working group, driven by volunteers, is determined to deliver on their mission. The lessons learned from the blockchain working group’s failure will inform future task forces, ensuring better collaboration, efficiency, and a focus on emerging technologies. As Washington state moves forward with the proposed AI task force, the aim is to strike a balance between thoughtful policymaking and fostering innovation in the ever-changing technological landscape.