Roy Kanavheti, Wellington Makondo, Wellington Simbarashe Manjoro
Academic qualification forgery poses a major concern for higher learning institutions, employers, and regulatory authorities throughout the world. In Zimbabwe, the increase in the level of fake degrees has greatly eroded trust in the education industry. Conventional verification processes are time-consuming, manual, and highly vulnerable to tampering. This paper introduces a hybrid blockchain-based and AI-enabled academic qualification verification platform to fight the problems. A prototype was implemented integrating various artificial intelligence algorithms including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Autoencoder, Random Forest, and One-Class Support Vector Machines (SVM) with Algorand blockchain for secure, transparent, and decentralized record keeping. Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) were utilized to ensure privacy. The system was tested based on a mixed-methods and Design Science Research (DSR) approach across many performance measures. Results show fraud detection accuracy, near-instantaneous verification speed, and satisfaction with privacy standards. The proposed system provides a sustainable and scalable framework for enhancing academic integrity in Zimbabwe's higher education system and primes the region for digital transformation of education.
The article explores the transitive model of digital statehood as a conceptual response to systemic challenges arising from the dynamic digital transformation of public governance. The author argues that traditional models of state administration no longer provide adequate responses to the rapid evolution of digital tools, infrastructures, and agents that operate within new decision-making spaces — from distributed ledgers to autonomous cognitive systems. Therefore, the concept of transitivity is proposed as a theoretical framework to describe the transition from classical hierarchical forms of statehood to complex, open, and dynamic digital architectures.The methodological foundation of the research combines three complementary approaches: the system-synergetic, institutional-cognitive, and network-platform paradigms. The system-synergetic approach makes it possible to view public governance as a complex open system capable of self-organization and the emergence of new structures in response to external digital impulses. The institutional-cognitive paradigm captures the changing logic of institutional functioning in the context of decentralized knowledge and functions, while the network-platform approach focuses on understanding the state as a digital platform where decisions are formed through the interaction of multiple agents — both human and algorithmic.Within the proposed transitive model, a three-level architecture of digital statehood is introduced: (1) the institutional core, which undergoes cognitive reconfiguration under the influence of digital agents; (2) the infrastructural level, based on the integration of AI and blockchain technologies into functional management mechanisms; (3) the level of external agents — platforms, networks, and users — that actively participate in shaping public decisions. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of smart contracts as a new institutional unit that enables automated, conditional, and irreversible execution of public governance decisions.It is demonstrated that the integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence alters the principles of trust formation, legitimacy, and accountability in digital interaction. At the same time, digital logic becomes the driver of institutional evolution — from fixed models to flexible, adaptive mechanisms functioning in a mode of permanent recalibration. The article also reveals the phenomenon of «post-institutional reflexivity,» in which the role of the state is reimagined — not as a monopolist of authority but as a cognitive integrator of data, platforms, and meanings.The practical value of the study lies in the proposed theoretical construct, which may be applied to the design of digital policy frameworks, the transformation of governance processes in the public sector, and the assessment of risks associated with technological dynamics. The article provides a foundation for further research into the formalization of trust mechanisms, automated decision legitimation, and the synthesis of governance strategies in complex digital environments.
Abstract— This research introduces a Blockchain-based Decentralized Application designed to address these issues. Leveraging Ethereum smart contracts and decentralized storage via IPFS, the application ensures secure peer-to-peer communication, immutable data storage, and enhanced transparency. By eliminating the need for centralized intermediaries, the Blockchain-based Decentralized Application empowers users, prioritizes data privacy, and fosters trust. This research introduces a Blockchain-based Decentralized Application designed to address these issues. Leveraging Ethereum smart contracts and decentralized storage via IPFS, the application ensures secure peer-to-peer communication, immutable data storage, and enhanced transparency. By eliminating the need for centralized intermediaries, the Blockchain-based Decentralized Application empowers users, prioritizes data privacy, and fosters trust. Index Terms—Distributed Ledger Technology(DLT), Smart Contracts, InterPlanetary File System(IPFS), Cryptographic Security.
Electronic voting systems have long been proposed as a means of modernizing democratic participation by improving accessibility, reducing administrative costs, and accelerating electoral processes. Nevertheless, existing electronic voting architectures frequently rely upon centralized infrastructures that introduce significant challenges concerning transparency, security, auditability, and public trust. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising alternative capable of addressing many of these limitations through decentralization, immutability, and distributed consensus. Despite considerable research activity, many proposed blockchain voting solutions remain conceptual, while relatively few studies present fully implemented and experimentally evaluated frameworks integrating multiple complementary security mechanisms.This study presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a secure blockchain-based electronic voting framework built upon Hyperledger Fabric 2.4. The proposed architecture integrates smart contracts, distributed consensus mechanisms, AES-256 cryptographic vote protection, a conceptual zero-knowledge proof layer, and Merkle-tree-based integrity verification within a permissioned blockchain environment. A functional prototype was implemented in Go chaincode and deployed within a simulated regional election scenario representing the four prefectures of Crete, Greece.The study adopts a Design Science Research methodology and evaluates the proposed framework through a series of functional, security, and scalability experiments. The evaluation examined voter eligibility enforcement, duplicate vote prevention, ballot confidentiality, ledger integrity, auditability, and resistance against five distinct attack scenarios, including unauthorized ballot modification, ballot injection, and timestamp manipulation.The findings demonstrate that the proposed framework successfully preserves voter anonymity, prevents duplicate voting, detects unauthorized modifications in all tested scenarios, and enables transparent and independently verifiable election outcomes. While the results confirm the suitability of permissioned blockchain architectures for secure digital elections, several challenges remain, particularly regarding scalability, endpoint security, legal compliance, and large-scale deployment.Overall, this study contributes both a practical implementation and an empirical evaluation of a blockchain-enabled electoral infrastructure, providing insights into the future development of secure digital democratic systems.
Introduction Web 3.0, also known as "Semantic Web," aims to create a more intelligent, networked, and centralized Web experience by introducing meaning and context to the Web's architecture. Blockchain, AI, and machine learning are some of the technologies that enable decentralized systems, enhanced data security, and personalized experiences. Web 3.0 is founded on a base of secure, transparent, and free-from-central-control applications. It has its most important features as linked data, which enables users to navigate and comprehend interlinked data with ease.[1] The potential use of Web 3.0 in the future can be found in things such as personalized health, decentralized finance, smart home, IoT appliances, digital ownership, social media, healthcare, education, sustainable living, and decentralized governance. The internet's history can be divided broadly into three phases: Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0. [2] In its initial phase, Web 1.0 was all about distributing information-static websites provided content with minimal to no interaction, With the emergence of Web 2.0, the internet became dynamic and social, enabling users to create content, interact with others, and become part of online communities. But with this greater interactivity came issues, with respect to data privacy and security. Today, we are moving into the Web 3.0 era, a smarter, more decentralized web powered by artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and semantic intelligence. This new era does not just upgrade human-to-human interaction but also human-to-AI interaction, which makes online life more personalized and autonomous. But it also raises challenges like users will now need to deal with an information-rich world where it is harder to separate fact from reality. As the web evolves, the importance of digital literacy, the capacity to comprehend and interact with digital content increases dramatically. But still, it is difficult to define digital literacy.[6] As much as its use has been
Recently, the DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), where participants make decisions equally through online voting, has been gaining attention, while traditional methods involve a multi-stage approach, beginning with discussions among stakeholders to extract key issues and followed by evaluations from randomly selected citizens. However, it remains unclear which issues will gain social acceptance under these different methods. This study investigates whether the evaluation of these processes differs depending on the type of issues. A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted using a between-participants two-factor design with a scenario experiment. Participants read scenarios on local community issues (whether to build a geothermal power plant or how to revitalize a shopping district) and decision frameworks (decentralized online or multi-stage decision-making) and responded to related questions. The results indicated that decentralized online struggles with issues involving significant conflicts of interest. However, it is more accepted when applied to relatively low-conflict issues where participants feel empowered.
Jan 1, 2025·Proceedings of the ... Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences/Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
In an effort to make companies adhere to green practices, they are increasingly required to publicly disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) key performance indicators (KPIs). Typically published within annual reports, the current format may not deliver all legally mandated information, and also does not attract investors who have become more focused on sustainable investing. Thus, various industries aim at improving their ESG KPIs reporting practices, including life insurance companies. Life insurance companies need to integrate ESG-focused strategies into their client interactions to obviate greenwashing allegations and appeal to their environmentally-friendly target group. This helps them remain competitive and build long-lasting institution-based trust. To help these companies address the complexities of ESG KPIs reporting, this study proposes the development of a reporting system architecture supported by Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for compliant, transparent, reliable, and standardized ESG reporting.
Blockchain technology is increasingly recognized as a transformative tool in public sector governance. This paper examines how Morocco’s public procurement process might incorporate blockchain, especially smart contracts. Using blockchain’s primary properties—transparency, traceability, and immutability—the research shows how smart contracts can automate procurement processes, lower fraud, and increase budgetary efficiency. Highlighting its technical feasibility, a simulation of blockchain-based procurement is created using a local Ethereum network. Legal-institutional issues as well as comparative global case studies (Estonia, Chile, UAE) are addressed. Provided that legal, technical, and institutional changes go hand in hand with the deployment of blockchain, the results point to its great potential to enhance governance and service delivery. This study focuses primarily on one of the cornerstones of this technological advance, namely smart contracts, which are true catalysts for automation, securing contractual commitments in public procurement, guaranteeing compliance with contractual stipulations and optimizing budget allocations. These self-executing protocols eliminate intermediaries, streamline bureaucratic processes and establish an immutable audit trail that promotes accountability and public confidence. The study also provides a simulation of the integration of blockchain into a public procurement system, illustrating in concrete terms its potential impact on the efficiency, transparency and accountability of administrative processes. The paper also stresses the importance of interoperability between blockchain platforms and existing administrative infrastructures, which is essential to ensure a smooth and scalable transition. The results highlight considerable potential: the adoption of blockchain in public administration is redefining governance paradigms by fostering trust between stakeholders, including the State, citizens and economic players. This technology not only enhances transparency and accountability, but also paves the way for a fairer, more responsive and resilient administration, capable of meeting the complex challenges of contemporary governance. As such, blockchain can reduce corruption, improve the delivery of public services and optimize the allocation of resources.
This study explores how digital technologies can support and enhance democratic governance within organizations. It examines the shift from autocratic structures to more decentralized models, such as Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), which promote participatory decision-making. By analyzing how digital tools can strengthen knowledge sharing, collective decision-making, and innovation, we look into the potential of technology to bolster democratic governance. Overall, the study aims to create theoretical frameworks and address key challenges of digitally enabled democratic practices in organizations.
Can blockchain-based decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) revolutionize regional integration, or is it an evanescent promise? This research addressed the crisis of confidence that has been haunting institutions like the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), whose central authorities could not deliver on transparency and inclusivity. The objectives were to unbundle DAOs' potential, assess their place in regional architectures, and propose a hybrid governance model. Mixed-methods with qualitative case analysis of the AU, EU, and Aragon DAO complemented with 30 interviews of stakeholders and comparison grounded the research. Findings showed DAOs' potential in making transparency more possible, as the $10 million Aragon's treasury example showed, and enrolling people in it but with accompanying hurdles from digital divides (37% internet reach in Africa) and resistance from elites. A hybrid solution that stacked DAOs for open decision-making, traditional control for stabilization, and interface modules for useability emerged. Five proposals that involved piloting DAOs for transparency, modeling inclusive voting, investing in infrastructures, creating regulations, and fostering cultural dialogue charted the way forward. This research compelled regional leaders to act with haste, coupling code with human trust to make government inclusive. It enriched theory and practice of contemporary governance and foresaw an achievable world where oneness was not elite-driven but common.
This article investigates how Web3 decentralization unfolds in practice and asks two guiding questions: (i) How democratic are decentralized governance systems in practice? (ii) Under what institutional conditions can technological decentralization translate into social inclusion? Based on multi-year ethnographic fieldwork (2022–2025) across Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C., Europe, and the Global South, this study draws on participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and comparative analysis of seven ecosystems—Ethereum, MakerDAO, Uniswap, Mastodon, Celo, Grassroots Economics, and GoodDollar. The findings show that participation asymmetries are structural: token-based governance is dominated by a small group of technically skilled or capital-rich actors, while voter turnout often remains below ten percent. Intermediaries such as foundations, developers, NGOs, and cooperatives are indispensable for coordination, contradicting the idea of hierarchy-free decentralization. In contrast, projects that institutionalize clear membership, monitoring, and accountability—particularly in cooperative and federated settings—display stronger democratic resilience. Comparative evidence also reveals oligarchic consolidation in Global North ecosystems and infrastructural exclusion in the Global South. These results substantiate what Richard R. Nelson termed “the Moon and the Ghetto” paradox: extraordinary technical innovation without corresponding social progress. Interpreted through innovation systems theory, the study concludes that advancing decentralized technologies requires parallel investment in mission-oriented institutions that ensure participation, equity, and accountability in digital infrastructures.
Civic intelligence (CI) represents the collective capacity of communities to address challenges, yet its integration with smart city infrastructure remains limited. This study bridges CI theory with technical implementation through a novel framework combining blockchain and AI technologies. Our approach maps core CI components (knowledge capital, system capital, and relational capital) to specific technical solutions: a civic engagement index for measuring participation quality, a tokenization framework for incentivizing meaningful engagement, and a governance optimization function for resource allocation. Using mixed-methods research, we developed and validated the conceptual CI governance (CIG) framework, which satisfies CI principles through smart contracts and AI-assisted interfaces. The empirical evaluation demonstrates both social and technical improvements: 40% increased civic participation rates, 85% governance efficiency maintenance, and significant gains in engagement quality metrics (knowledge sharing +32%, collective decision making +28%). While technical implementation shows promise, success requires the careful integration of social dynamics, digital literacy initiatives, and regulatory compliance. This research contributes to smart city development by providing a theoretically grounded, feasible framework that introduces the fusion of blockchain and AI technologies to enhance civic participation while preserving governance effectiveness.
Abstract In this chapter, we describe the importance of good governance in the metaverse. It offers unlimited opportunities and presents unique governance challenges. First, we describe the concept of good governance and its relevance to the metaverse. We emphasize that the speed of metaverse adoption depends upon the presence or absence of effective governance. Recognizing the metaverse as the next iteration of the internet, we present significant governance issues. Some issues such as interoperability, security, safety, privacy, law, and digital inequality are critical governance issues in the metaverse. Next, we explore the diverse governance frameworks to ensure the implementation of policies and regulations. These frameworks include decentralized governance, cross-sector collaboration, and standards-based governance. We also describe the best practices which are essential for good governance. To materialize the concepts and principles discussed, we present a compelling case study centered on Decentraland. This insightful exploration dissects a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO)-based governance structure, offering valuable insights into the intricacies and stages of governance proposals. We acknowledge both the merits and potential drawbacks inherent to this approach. This chapter aims to offer an all-encompassing view of metaverse governance, essentially serving as a comprehensive roadmap for traversing the multifaceted landscape of this digital frontier.
E-Government and Public Services
Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
Legal, Health, Environmental and COVID-19 Challenges
Emerging digital economies are increasingly exploring decentralized infrastructures to expand citizen participation and reduce reliance on a small number of dominant service providers. Indonesia, one of the fastest-growing economies in the global south, has significant potential to integrate Web3 technologies into its national Digital Public Infrastructure. While previous DPI initiatives in countries such as India and Estonia have shown the value of open standards and low-cost digital services, there is limited research on how decentralized systems can support higher level digital functions. This paper examines how real-world asset tokenization can serve as an important DPI component for Indonesia. The study analyzes global initiatives in asset tokenization and decentralized identity systems and evaluates how similar approaches can be adapted to Indonesia's socioeconomic environment. The paper argues that open protocols, standardized APIs, and community operated nodes can create a transparent and interoperable infrastructure for tokenized assets. This approach would allow local communities to participate directly in validating asset information and supporting network operations.
There is growing demand for innovation in social sector fundraising.The conventional model relies on emotions rather than evidence, brand recognition instead of outcomes and marketing over impact.In this paper, we sketch out a prototype for an online giving platform modelled on a Pay for Success mechanism where donors pay retroactively for tangible impact already achieved.It uses impact certificates, currently limited to the carbon credits industry, to fund verified past impact from three civic participation organizations in India.The demo shows how blockchain can ensure single sale per outcome and enforce a fundraising cap based on impact created.Drawing on the historical database of over 5000 impact reports of the three partner organizations, we minted 27 impact certificates on the Ethereum testnet.Over the course of creating the demo, we raised USD 4034 from 133 contributors through the donation matching platform Gitcoin for purchase of these certificates.
Open access
ICT in Developing Communities
E-Government and Public Services
Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development
Bruno Henrique Sanches, Marlei Pozzebon, Eduardo Henrique Diniz
Abstract Westernised paradigms dominate the information systems (IS) field, often overshadowing alternative epistemologies. This study challenges the prevailing hegemonic view and contributes to the decolonization of IS research and practice by proposing a Latin American and decolonial approach to technological development that emphasises community centrality and epistemic justice through recognition of local knowledges and Indigenous traditions. Using design ethnography, we follow the development of a solidarity cryptocurrency in a Brazilian favela. Our paper offers two key contributions. By introducing tecnologia social , an underrepresented perspective in IS, we highlight ecology of knowledges, centrality of the local and decolonial reconfiguration as principles that can enrich the understanding of IS projects from a decolonial perspective. In addition, we propose a new concept—epistemic dialogical tension—as a process wherein different epistemologies coexist and accommodate each other, encouraging a dynamic interplay of distinct human experiences and worldviews. It offers new paths to IS scholars and practitioners in navigating the complexities of epistemic plurality. We argue that tecnologia social and epistemic dialogical tension provide fertile ground for developing reimagined, decolonized approaches where multiple epistemologies can coexist, favouring the often‐silenced communities they are intended to benefit.
Digitalization has far-reaching yet under-researched impacts on state–society relations. This article addresses this gap and explores digitalization as a driver of change to social contracts. The conceptual framework explains how it changes (a) the state’s duty to grant protection, provision, and participation in exchange for legitimacy; (b) the modes of state–society interaction; and (c) the contracting parties with respect to their location and their relative power position. Based on a literature review and recent developments in digitalization, the article then discusses how this plays out in the MENA region. It shows that digital surveillance by authoritarian regimes often dominates over the states’ duty to protect their citizens. Spaces for political participation increase through social media and online platforms but often fail to translate into ‘offline’ mobilization. Digitalization can improve public service provision, but only for digitally-connected citizens. Thus, digitalization tends to enhance the relative power positions of MENA states even if states themselves partly depend on external actors for access to and control over digital technologies. Overall, digitalization is an important, structural driver of change to social contracts but pre-existing state–society relations and governance framework conditions lead to either more inclusive or rather more authoritarian social contracts.
Linda Weigl, Tamara Roth, Alexandre Amard, Liudmila Zavolokina
User-centricity in e-government is a double-edged sword. While it helps governments design digital services tailored to the needs of citizens, it may also increase the burden on users and deepen the digital divide. From an institutional perspective, these fundamental conflicts are inevitable. To better understand the role and effect of user-centricity in e-government, this paper analyses academic literature on user-centricity and public values. The analysis leads to three main insights: First, there is a conflict in citizen representation that may result from the normative dominance of decision-makers. Second, we identify an accountability conflict that can prevent user-centric innovation from thriving in a highly institutionalized environment. Third, we identify a pluralism conflict that emerges from a clash between the reality of a diverse society and the assumed homogeneity of actors. The need to address these conflicts increases with rapid technological innovation, such as distributed ledger technologies, artificial intelligence, and trust infrastructures. These technologies put the user at the center stage and permeate aspects of social life beyond government. In response to these insights, we outline suggestions for further research and practice.
Open access
E-Government and Public Services
Privacy, Security, and Data Protection
Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development
Abstract Web3’s raison d’être is decentralization. Quite problematically, however, few industry analysts can articulate what “decentralization” really entails; whether it differs at all from the notion of “distribution,” and how either construct can be measured with observable data to enable a meaningful analysis of the industry’s core promise. Instead, Web3 is akin to a decentralization theater in which archetypical characters, who resonate with the likes of Hamlet and Godot, enact decentralization based on fictitious narratives. After critically reassessing these narratives about decentralization, this paper offers a fresh perspective to evaluate, less theatrically and hopefully more rigorously, future claims about “being decentralized.” I argue that the crucial issue lurking behind the decentralization narrative is the dispersion of authority within blockchain platforms, which consists of two fundamental dimensions, namely the dispersion of information and of decision-making. The value proposition of Web3 will not be taken seriously until the industry can provide reliable indicators of authority dispersion and demonstrate that the latter affects strategic outcomes for blockchain platforms, including innovation, growth, and value creation.