Learning Machine Joins Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA)

Learning Machine believes driver identity and security can be improved through blockchain applications.

Driver identity is one area that stands to benefit from standards-based approaches to blockchain applications

Learning Machine Technologies, a leading global provider of blockchain-based records for institutions including MIT and the Republic of Malta, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). BiTA is the first association to unite businesses from across the transportation industry around the promise of blockchain technology.

On November 16, 2017, BiTA held its inaugural Executive Council Meeting, where Learning Machine presented about the potential of blockchain technology to streamline the verification of driver identity while respecting driver privacy and autonomy. The meeting laid the groundwork for cooperation between Learning Machine and carriers across the United States and beyond.

The meeting also showcased a strong alignment between BiTA’s commitment to developing shared technology standards for using blockchain in transportation and Learning Machine’s work developing the Blockcerts open standard for issuing and verifying documents on the blockchain. Unlocking the maximum value of a new technology for any industry depends on taking a standards-based approach

Craig Fuller, Managing Director of BiTA, said, “Learning Machine came across my radar in the fall as BiTA was first launching. I was intrigued by the ingenuity of the organization in using blockchain to certify university diplomas and records. I thought using the technology to certify driver, equipment, and transactional records would have a profound impact on the safety and security of the global transportation system and wanted to ensure that BiTA and Learning Machine had an active partnership. We are super excited about the work of the Learning Machine team and the applications they are developing around the transportation and freight ecosystem.”

The application of blockchain technology to digital identity is an area where Learning Machine has been particularly active. Learning Machine’s VP of Business Development, Natalie Smolenski, explained how the transportation industry could benefit from a blockchain-based identity solution: “The transport industry sees annual driver turnover rates north of 100%. This means carriers are spending a lot of time verifying driver identity, background, and employment history. The blockchain makes verification of identity and claims instant and free while avoiding the privacy and security vulnerabilities of a centralized database.”

Learning Machine will demonstrate its solution for blockchain-based driver identity at BiTA’s Transparency 18 conference, May 22-23, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Learning Machine builds enterprise software for issuing and verifying records on the blockchain. In 2016, Learning Machine and the MIT Media Lab developed Blockcerts, the only open standard for anchoring records to the blockchain in a manner that is recipient-owned and vendor-independent. In 2017, Learning Machine released a suite of products and services that streamline the issuing and verification of Blockcerts at scale.

Founded in August 2017, the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) is a forum for promotion, education, and encouragement to develop and adopt blockchain applications in the trucking, transportation, and logistics industry. BiTA’s goal is for members to participate, discuss, create, and adopt industry standard uses of blockchain applications and to provide clarity and direction for the development of blockchain technology in the trucking industry in a manner that will create efficiency, transparency, and foster trust. BiTA standards are intended to create a common framework to help organizations develop and adopt blockchain technology.

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