LFDT Scotland

As zkSNARKs gain adoption in production systems like digital ID and decentralized finance, institutions and developers are seeing an increasing need for rigorous standards. This lab will explore a modular approach towards standardizing generic zk-SNARKs. In this meetup, we present work done on the arithmetisation, Fiat-Shamir, and polynomial commitment schemes used in many zk-SNARK protocols. We call for community feedback and participation in shaping this standardization effort.

More about the lab is at: https://github.com/LF-Decentralized-Trust-labs/zkproof-polycommit

The internet suffers from "Identity Chaos"—where internet users lack active control over their data due to the fragmentation of digital identities, processes, and protocols. To solve this, we must move beyond passive trust frameworks and static identifiers. We need to create an active, private runtime environment that allows individuals to have complete control over their digital lives to protect their digital rights.

This solution is called an Identity Agent, and the IdentityBot Lab is its first open-source implementation.

WHAT WE'LL COVER:
* Define "Identity" (Physical vs. Digital): Identity is not a static snapshot; it is an active, ever-evolving "video" of our existence. We will discuss the distinction between Physical Identity (our biological self) and Digital Identity (an exact "Digital Twin" or replica). Crucially, we will explain why a digital identity must be an active agent that can intervene and take action, rather than a passive identifier that is acted upon.

* Problem (Identity Chaos): In the physical world, we have a body to protect us. In the digital world, we don't. We will examine how the fragmentation of our digital footprints makes it impossible for individuals to manually maintain cyber hygiene, filter spam, and protect their rights.

* Solution (Identity Agent): To organize the chaos, users need a "digital body" to act on their behalf—an active runtime environment (a private compute environment). We will introduce the Identity Agent architecture and the first three use cases (SEDI, AI Hub, Communication Hub).

* Governance: We will discuss how Identity Agents function as the internet's missing "Governance Layer" (Layer 8) of the OSI stack. We will explore how this environment runs standardized rules—Governance as Code—to enforce security, privacy, and consent protocols automatically.

* First Implementation (SEDI): An introduction to the State-Endorsed Digital Identity (SEDI) consortium. We will discuss how the State of Utah is leading a coalition of states to treat digital identity as critical public infrastructure that protects individual liberty.