Pablo Vela, a dedicated Project Manager and Blockchain Engineer at Alastria, plays a pivotal role in the TrustChain project. With a passion for technology and a firm belief that blockchain represents a significant stride towards greater freedom, Pablo brings a unique blend of expertise in both community management and technical oversight. His role within TrustChain is crucial, as he not only manages the dynamization of a diverse community of professionals but also serves as the direct link to the cutting-edge blockchain technology provided by Alastria. Coming from the private sector, Pablo offers a fresh perspective that complements the academic expertise of his colleagues, making him an invaluable addition to the team.
In this interview, we’ll explore how Pablo and the TrustChain team are shaping the future of a more user-centric and trustworthy internet, as well as his advice for the next generation of innovators.
Can you briefly describe your and Alastria’s role in the TrustChain project and why you make a valuable addition to the team?
My role within the project primarily involves team management and the dynamization of the community of professionals that we incorporate with each Open Call. Additionally, I am part of the technical working group. As part of Alastria, the partner that provides the technological infrastructure for the project, I act as the direct link to blockchain technology. On the other hand, I come from the private/business sector, so I can offer a different perspective compared to my colleagues, most of whom, although they are experts in their fields, belong to the academic world.
What are the key objectives of the TrustChain project, and how do they align with the broader goals of the Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative?
The project’s objectives are aligned with the European agenda, but I genuinely believe that TrustChain is focused on the user and their privacy in using the new internet that is emerging, rather than on control and regulation as central policies tend to be. Therefore, I am proud to be part of the coordination of this project and to be able to safeguard the real interests of European citizens.
As a mentor to the innovators funded by TrustChain, what have been some of the most exciting and promising projects you’ve seen?
I am a strong advocate for freedom and privacy online, and I truly believe that the average user does not realize how much these are compromised with every click on their devices. It is clear that not everyone prioritizes privacy or security, accepting cookies, accessing unknown links, and downloading and executing things without thinking. This is normal since people have other concerns, and the internet is often a source of entertainment. The problem is that these same devices are used for work or accessing their bank, and a security breach can be lethal. Seeing how many projects use privacy by design in their developments is fundamental and exciting. This will help all future users have a healthier relationship with the web, even if they are not aware of it, as many of the projects we mentor will be part of future standards used on the internet.
Can you share any specific challenges these innovators have faced during their projects, and how have you helped them navigate these challenges?
I couldn’t attribute anything directly to myself, as we are a team of professionals working together to help the teams as much as possible, so the weaknesses of one are the strengths of another. With this approach, we have been able to guide projects struggling to adapt complicated European regulations to their applications, coordinate transactions with multiple networks and systems, both cloud, blockchain, and more traditional in banking or real estate. We have also helped small groups of university researchers coordinate among themselves to function as an innovative company, which is no easy task!
What recommendations would you give to future innovators who are looking to get involved in projects and calls similar to those funded by TrustChain?
I would encourage them to do so without hesitation. These types of projects fund both large and small initiatives because what is valued is the idea and the value and impact it will have on the community. An idea is just an idea on paper, but when given the opportunity with this type of funding, it can materialize into someone’s passionate project. This not only fulfills the dream of the proposer but can also change the lives of people who will use these innovative developments. You already have a “no,” so you only risk losing a few hours making the proposal. On the other hand, there is much to gain.
What are some of the critical challenges you anticipate for the TrustChain project as it progresses, particularly in terms of technology and user adoption?
As I mentioned, some projects will become industry standards, especially those that are very innovative and disguise themselves as projects on libraries, communication protocols, information exchange, etc. The biggest challenge in these cases is always mass adoption. This step is both fundamental and critical. It is not easy to develop something critical that users adopt right away, as these types of projects are not easy to market due to their nature. A good business plan and a co-creation design with the user are essential to ensure the project’s viability.
In your opinion, how can the TrustChain project contribute to making the internet more user-centric and trustworthy?
Although it may sometimes be a hassle, we work on these aspects a lot with the teams during meetings and also in our evaluations. We try to make the projects see that creating impact in these areas is essential. In fact, it is the basis for what we fight for from the coordination of TrustChain. Some projects already have their homework done, making this an easy path to walk, while others struggle more to think about these concepts because they are focused on their development and, due to the short duration of the project, find it hard to look away from their final destination. We iterate as many times as necessary with them to help in any decision-making to achieve these goals.
What are the future steps for the TrustChain project, and how do you envision its impact on the development of the Next Generation Internet?
I would like to think that as new emerging technologies arise, funding projects will be launched for these crazy idea developers, and that organizations like TrustChain will be hand in hand with them to fund and support as much as possible. If it were up to me, I would have open calls constantly, with new topics and challenges that need to be addressed.
From your experience, what are the most important factors to consider when fostering innovation and trust in decentralized technologies?
Like in the question, innovation is key; creating new ideas that advance the current state of the art is crucial. Of course, as we have been discussing, they must protect the user’s interests—we are human! We need applications that are robust, scalable, and ensure the privacy of our data from their design. They should be easy to use, intuitive, and consider the user from the early stages of design, involving the user in decision-making. I know it’s not easy with current regulations for all this to work in harmony, so having a multidisciplinary team capable of mitigating any risk and not being caught off guard by any mishap is essential. A legal clause failure or a security breach can undermine years of work. As I mentioned before, we want the projects to be viable, so the business plan must have long-term solidity. One cannot live on funding alone; this is just a starting help.
Any events in the upcoming months where potential applicants can meet you and learn more about the project and your work?
At Alastria, we have the Alastria Awards where we will give visibility to all those technological projects that stand out for their innovation and impact. Unfortunately, the deadline to apply was the end of July. Furthermore, we will be attending the European Blockchain Convention in Barcelona.
