Generating Trust In A Digital Food System

Introduction

When considered individually, the terms ‘food’ and ‘data’ may not raise more than a passing interest for most people. However, when combined with digital responsibility a more transformative vision is envisaged that can form the basis for a more fair and trustworthy food system, adjusting the balance of value creation and control, and inspiring more active participation and agency from citizens.

The Digital Responsibility Goals for Food project (DRG4FOOD) is currently developing a number of innovation pilots that will demonstrate solutions for a data driven food system built on a Responsibility Goals framework and a human-centric driven perspective that together aim to contribute to a more sustainable food ecosystem that is “trustworthy by default.”

However, with the ever-increasing complexity of the technological, social and economic landscape, it requires a strong motivation to adopt new technologies accompanied by a belief that they will genuinely contribute to making our lives easier, less complex and more sustainable. Given a legacy of data breaches, identity theft, misuse and manipulation of data and biased AI decisions, technology adoption today can be viewed with a certain degree of scepticism and concern.

But what is ‘Responsibility’?  What is Trustworthy?

How does Trust contribute to Value creation? What are the Tools to validate this?

Could AI be useful as a tool to Generate Trust?

Workshop

In a 3 hours session with 15 to 25 participants we will introduce the DRG4FOOD project in progress: Presenting the Digital Responsibility Goals framework, the DRG Toolbox, and the Food Use Case solutions currently in development (with demo). Then, with our scope set firmly in a ‘real world’ context we will explore in groups what this means for Trustworthiness: How does Responsibility relate to Trust, why is Trust important? What are the dynamics and degrees of Trust? What about Ethics, Morals, Regulations? And, what are Trust Relationships (2-way) and Trust Mechanisms?

We will work interactively on a challenge that focuses on the development of a Toolkit to validate ‘Trustworthiness’:  Workshop participants will split up into groups of 4 to 5 people to explore a specific (given) use case challenge addressed through two scenario possibilities. A ‘conventional’ scenario (Food Use Case / User Experience) and a ‘wild-card’ scenario (Food Use Case / Gen-AI Trust Agent / User Experience) perspective.

This workshop will be interesting for Design Researchers, Service Designers, UX-Designers, Ethicists, Privacy, Digital and AI Regulation experts/academics, Developers (Apps / OSS / SSI / Data / AI), Food Innovators. A deep knowledge of types of Gen-AI or Food Eco-system specifics is not required, all levels of expertise are welcome.

Hosts

By Lorna Goulden, Kai Hermsen  (TWINDS)

Slava Koslov and Katerina Khomenchuk (SUMM()N)

Lorna Goulden

Co-founder of Twinds Foundation

Lorna Goulden lives in Eindhoven and is co-founder and UX /Business lead at Twinds Foundation, dedicated to (re)building trust in the digital domain, developing open-source software for (decentralised) disposable identities, designed to control how we share our identities + data online. Twinds is also in an EU funded research project consortium addressing emerging challenges in the food system, developing a digital responsibility goals framework for a data driven food system (DRG4FOOD). Lorna also works as a Venture Advisor at LumoLabs, which is an impact Driven Venture fund based in Eindhoven. With over 25 years’ experience working across a wide range of industries Lorna builds bridges between (UX)design, technology innovation and business strategy; with a keen focus on the value for people and the impact on society

Kai Hermsen

Co-founder of Twinds Foundation

Kai Hermsen lives in Munich and is co-founder of the Twinds Foundation based in Brussels, which is dedicated to open source software development, in particular for disposable digital identities. With his involvement in the twinds Foundation, he is committed to innovative solutions that improve the trustworthiness of the digital space through modern technologies. Kai also works together with the Munich Security Network as a Strategic Advisor, and he is also a member of the ‘Digital Trust’ working group at the World Economic Forum (WEF) and is involved in other international cybersecurity education providers on a voluntary basis. In these roles, he actively works to promote trust in digital technologies and ensure that companies and organisations handle their data securely and transparently. Previously, Kai Hermsen worked at Siemens, where he drove security standards for the digital economy as head of global cybersecurity strategy and the Charter of Trust. In this role, he was instrumental in addressing security issues on a global level and raising awareness of the importance of cybersecurity. As a balance to his professional activities and digital worlds, Kai Hermsen loves to spend time with his wife, two daughters and their dog in the beautiful nature in the south of Munich.

Slava Kozlov

Co-founder and Director of Summ( )n, Eindhoven

Slava is the Co-founder and Director of Summ( )n.  With over 25+ years of experience in strategic innovation and a background in psychology and sociology, Slava has a talent for uncovering new possibilities, sparking transformation, and exploring the uncharted future. Driven by a passion for blending cutting-edge technology with human insight, Slava empowers people to reimagine what’s possible and build futures that inspire confidence and creativity.

Katerina Khomenchuk

Co-founder and Director of Summ( )n, Eindhoven

Katerina is the co-founder of Summ( )n. With a background in psychology, human-computer interaction, and years of experience in cross-cultural and cross-generational research, she bridges deep research insights with practical applications, transforming complex findings into actionable solutions. She is known for her innovative approach to research, focusing on both understanding people and exploring societal transitions. Driven by curiosity and a belief in the power of possibility, she inspires others to imagine new futures and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.