What does decentralized identity really mean, and why is it becoming essential in a world of AI, deepfakes, and digital fraud?
In this episode, we sit down with Kaliya Young. Kaliya is widely known as the “Identity Woman” and is one of the earliest pioneers of decentralized and self-sovereign identity. With over 20 years in the field, Kaliya breaks down complex concepts like decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials in practical, real-world terms.
Kaliya explains how decentralized identity reshapes trust, privacy, and security across many different entities, including people, businesses, AI agents, and physical assets. From digital driver’s licenses and business wallets to supply chains and autonomous systems, this conversation offers a grounded look at how identity infrastructure is evolving. It is clear that old paper-based and centralized models are no longer enough for highly regulated industries.
Topics covered
What decentralized identity actually means
How decentralized identifiers (DIDs) work
Verifiable credentials and why they matter
Trust and privacy in the age of AI and deepfakes
Business and enterprise use cases like know your customer (KYC) and know your business (KYB)
Identity for AI agents and autonomous systems
Digital wallets for people, businesses, and assets
Revocation, security, and privacy-preserving design
Where developers and organizations can get involved
About Kaliya Young
Kaliya Young, often called the “Identity Woman,” has been working on decentralized and self-sovereign identity for over 20 years. She works closely with developers, policymakers, and standards bodies to help make digital identity more secure, private, and human-centered.
Kaliya is also the founder and host of the Internet Identity Workshop (IIW), an unconference that brings together identity practitioners from around the world to shape the future of digital identity. Through her writing, workshops, and advisory work, she plays a central role in how decentralized identity, verifiable credentials, and trust frameworks are evolving today.
Connect with our guest Kaliya Young: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliya/
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