The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched the Connected Future Initiative, a global effort aimed at advancing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to better support emerging technologies including biometrics, artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), and quantum computing. The program is housed within WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and brings together over 200 organizations, including major technology firms such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Hitachi.
The Connected Future Initiative aims to address the widening gap between existing digital infrastructure and rapidly evolving technological capabilities. According to Dylan Reim, Lead of the initiative, and Judith Vega of WEF’s Metaverse Initiative, “Without an intentional, future-oriented approach to DPI, societies risk falling behind in the digital transformation race, exacerbating existing inequalities and inefficiencies.”
Digital Public Infrastructure, as defined by WEF and other international bodies, includes foundational systems such as digital identity, digital payments, and secure data exchange platforms. The Connected Future Initiative will focus on promoting international standards for DPI, encouraging public-private collaboration, and addressing critical issues around ethics, data privacy, cybersecurity, accessibility, and equitable technology deployment.
The initiative builds on WEF’s previous work emphasizing the importance of robust digital identity and authentication systems. Earlier reports have highlighted successful national programs, such as Pakistan’s development of digital identity and payment infrastructure, which combined digital ID (NADRA) and digital payment systems (RAAST) to promote financial inclusion. Other recent deployments, such as Hong Kong and Macau’s use of QR codes and biometrics for cross-border travel, further demonstrate the global momentum behind DPI expansion.
During the WEF’s annual meeting in Davos this January, organizations including the International Telecommunication Union called for increased efforts to establish interoperable digital wallet standards and globally harmonized DPI frameworks. The Connected Future Initiative aims to address these needs by fostering cross-sector collaboration to ensure technological advancements benefit all segments of society.
The program will also focus on supporting the technical evolution of biometric authentication technologies, which are increasingly integrated into national infrastructure projects. Although biometric applications are growing worldwide, the initiative emphasizes the need for careful governance frameworks to manage associated risks such as data security vulnerabilities, consent management challenges, and digital exclusion of marginalized populations.
WEF’s broader assessment highlights challenges that DPI initiatives must navigate, including cybersecurity threats, geopolitical tensions, and the risk of deepening digital divides. Sustained political commitment, robust legislative frameworks, and a mobile-first approach are considered essential to extend DPI benefits to underserved communities, particularly in regions where mobile connectivity is the primary means of internet access.
While digital identity and biometrics have drawn significant focus, the Connected Future Initiative also recognizes the importance of complementary systems such as digital payment rails and trusted data exchange mechanisms in building resilient and inclusive digital economies.
Sources: World Economic Forum, WEF Brazil GovTech Report, WEF Urban Infrastructure Report
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April 28, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy
