Building tomorrow’s digital public infrastructure 22 January 2026 — 5:30PM TO 7:30PM Anonymous (not verified) Chatham House and Online
What is digital public infrastructure and what can the UK learn from global use cases?
As digital systems become the backbone of modern society, who builds them - and for whom - has never mattered more. This panel brings together technologists, policymakers, and civil society leaders to explore how digital public infrastructure (DPI) can serve the common good in an era of rapid technological change.
Worldwide, countries are building digital foundations with the power to reshape ho...
Building tomorrow’s digital public infrastructure 22 January 2026 — 5:30PM TO 7:30PM Anonymous (not verified) Chatham House and Online
What is digital public infrastructure and what can the UK learn from global use cases?
As digital systems become the backbone of modern society, who builds them - and for whom - has never mattered more. This panel brings together technologists, policymakers, and civil society leaders to explore how digital public infrastructure (DPI) can serve the common good in an era of rapid technological change.
Worldwide, countries are building digital foundations with the power to reshape how governments serve citizens: from India’s revolutionary digital payments to Estonia’s seamless digital IDs and data exchange systems, to new adopters like Guinea, Belgium, South Africa, and Tanzania. This event examines global efforts to create digital infrastructure that is accessible, trustworthy, and designed for everyone.
Considering the UK government’s digital ID plans, join us for an evening that explores what this digital future could look like for the UK, and what the country can learn from the successes and failures of global digitalization projects.
This panel and following reception launches the recent Chatham House publication ‘The case for expanding digital public infrastructure: How open, scalable technology can serve citizens, preserve sovereignty and save money’.
The case for expanding digital public infrastructure
- What is driving the global wave in DPI adoption? Is it technological maturation, pandemic-exposed gaps in digital services, development institutions championing DPI, countries seeking digital sovereignty, or genuine policy learning between nations?
- What design and deployment principles can the UK learn from other countries? What should be avoided?
- What does trusted digital public infrastructure really mean, and how can the UK build public confidence while addressing legitimate concerns about privacy and surveillance?
- What is the role of private-public partnerships, and what questions should the government be asking vendors? Are there models in other countries that offer insights into successful procurement?