After nearly two years of digital research and development, 221A presented findings on the FAIR data ecosystem at Web Summit Vancouver, one of the world’s largest technology conferences bringing together startups, investors, policymakers, and major company leaderships to showcase emerging innovations and shape the future of technology development. This event connects Vancouver to the global circuit of Web Summits that also take place annually in Lisbon, São Paulo and Doha.
At 825 Pacific, 221A, Brinc, and Future Primitive hosted The Building Blocks of Culture: Objects, Networks, Narratives, showcasing working prototypes from the FAIR data ecosystem to artists, technologists, and cultural workers. With an opening by Manuel Axel Strain, a 2-Spirit xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Simpcw and Syilx artist, the event began with reflections on Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
“How does this concept of data sovereignty interact with indigenous sovereignty, especially in a place like here?,” Manny posed to attendees and speakers alike. “How can we create a harmonious relationship between these concepts of place and virtual place?”
A panel featuring industry pathfinders at the crossroads of decentralization, protocol development and cultural infrastructure included: Jayden Windle, CTO at Future Primitive; Emma Johnson, Ecosystem Marketing Lead at PIP Labs & Story; and, Vivek Singh, Director at Kernel.
“What the Internet needs… is not a small change, it’s a change to the architecture,” shared Emma. “Embedding native payments for data, and IP and attribution into the very fabric of the Internet that we use.”
The afternoon included a showcase of “architecture-changing” prototypes, including ClioX’s privacy-preserving AI for archives, Pentagon Group’s 360° decentralized gaming experiences, Reppo Labs model context protocol to connect AI tools to the right data, and Future Primitive’s PERMA social network with its Checkpoint photo booths which debuted at 221A’s FAIR Dialogue event last week.
Musician Forrest Mortiffee, whose practice revolves around the custodianship of his cultural assets as his voice evolves through his trans experience, closed the event with a set of songs and by honouring his Seattle-based patron CY Lee, with metaphorical and literal flowers.
221A also showcased the FAIR data ecosystem at Web Summit’s B.C. Venture Spotlight, reaching government officials, investors, and policymakers through Innovate BC and its partners’ networks. The presence on the summit floor highlighted the vision for a Fair Data Hub & Accelerator, 221A’s plans for collaboration with a venture platform Brinc, designed to support early-stage founders building equitable digital infrastructure.
MP Taleeb Noormohamed, who was recently named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, took to social media to boast of the globally-competitive talent and innovation seen at Web Summit.
“Initiatives like this are absolutely fundamental to making sure that Canadian talent and ideas are at the forefront of the global economy—that innovation we can invest in here at home can be taken abroad,” he said.
“If you have a signature dish or a signature thing that is uniquely you, then the request is to bring that to the forefront,” Vivek shared on the Creators, Social Networks and IP panel. “If economies could be designed around these signatures, then we might end up in a more interesting place.”
221A’s research and prototyping of FAIR data ecosystems enables these signatures to be part of the strategy of building technology that serves communities, creating pathways for new policy frameworks and investment support for local organizations at the forefront of this work. The vision for FAIR data also includes investment and support for founders creating tools for creator empowerment, community ownership, and democratic data governance.
“This isn’t about resistance to technology, it’s about building better technology,” said Jesse McKee, 221A Head of Digital Strategy. “Technology that recognizes data as a distributed asset, one that can enable democratic governance and ensure value flows back to its creators.”
FAIR Data Accelerator Program by Brinc
Brinc’s accelerator program offers a regional example for stewarding investment towards British Columbia’s FAIR data ecosystem, where cultural data is leveraged to create new business models and attract strategic resources. These can be applied to developing the infrastructure of the new emerging digital commons, and to influence public policy outcomes in favour of communities who can steward their own digital assets.
Applications for Brinc’s FAIR data accelerator program is expected to open later this year, positioning the province as a crucial region for equitable digital innovation.
Missed the event? Watch the recording below.
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