Blockchain technologies have exploded into the popular consciousness in the past twelve months. Blockchain has been disrupting industries as varied as financial services, social media, and energy. Now, it is innovating other industries on many levels. It has the potential to make the world’s economy faster, safer, and better.
However, regulatory agencies and governments have attempted to rein in blockchain technologies. Yet, that hasn’t stopped blockchain entrepreneurs. They continue to innovate in order to bring efficiency and security to the world.
Here are three blockchain technologies that illustrate how blockchain is innovating the human experience:
1. Healthcare
Healthcare is a trillion-dollar industry and growing. It is projected to be worth 20% of US GDP by 2025. However, the existing technology of Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR’s) is outdated. It has disorganized, disparate units of information. That makes important records inaccessible to providers and patients. Also, it is almost impossible to securely share data across platforms. These inefficiencies can cost time, money, and lives.
However, blockchain networks like Iris hope to revolutionize the healthcare industry. It does this by allowing users to upload personal healthcare information into an unalterable, time-stamped public ledger in exchange for Iris tokens.
Iris hopes that their blockchain-backed EHRs will allow patients to switch providers easily without losing access to their complete medical histories. They also want to ensure providers can maintain maximum treatment quality. Additionally, it would allow researchers access to unprecedented amounts of accurate, confidential mass data. Blockchain is innovating to make the world a happier, healthier place.
Dentacoin rewards “trusted reviews” and “market survey research,” according to a Dentacoin White Paper. It is based on an Ethereum-based, self-operating “smart contract.” These reviews and data would be unalterable and secure. Therefore, the dental industry could increase the quality of care for patients. Plus, it could further research for practitioners and providers.
Their intention to use the technology to improve the lives and healthcare of millions proves that this technology has the potential to leave a positive footprint on the world.
2. Love and Romance
One of the greatest problems facing modern life is alienation. This is due in part to modern technology. People, now more than ever before, are feeling lonely, isolated, and depressed. Here is where blockchain is innovating once again.
For example, blockchain-based startups like Hicky are attempting to address this society through innovative technology. It is a decentralized, dating platform based on the Ethereum network. As such, Hicky hopes to provide a safer, more interactive experience for its dating app users.
It will use blockchain technology to increase the security of information on its network from predatory third parties. Also, it will create an incentive for increased interaction and fun. The first of its kind in this sector, Hicky is sure to be an interesting tech to watch as blockchain continues to enhance and aid the things that make us human.
3. Music and Entertainment
In a world where computers trade stocks, drive cars and even write articles, Blockchain entrepreneurs are turning to perhaps the last industry technology will be able to fully conquer the human creator: music.
Products like BigchainDB utilize the blockchain to make the industry more fair and profitable for creators and producers, using smart contracts to track and disseminate pre-determined licensing agreements to deter and eradicate unlawful downloads and file sharing.
These traceable records of ownership between artists and their work will remove the plague of musicians everywhere: piracy. There is no doubt this will not only allow for fair trade within this industry but unleash an inspired generation of artists that feel secure they own the product of their labor.
JAAK, a startup based in Britain, provides an operating system for content created by musicians and is developing a platform that allows media owners to convert their repertoire of media, as well as metadata and rights, into “smart content” on the Ethereum blockchain. This content could then self-execute licensing transactions, limiting piracy and making music profitable once again for the rec room DJ.
From music to dating apps to healthcare, blockchain is making its technological marks on some very human-driven industries by supporting those consumers, creators, and entrepreneurs hoping to make the world a better place.
If these prove profitable, there is no doubt that thousands of idealistic entrepreneurs will be seeking to enter the sector with not only their wallets in mind but with the intent to make the world a better place.
Is this the future of blockchain technologies? Perhaps a better question is: is this the future of the world we live in?
