Building Scenarios for the Future of Digital Identification Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean

Digital identification systems unlock tremendous benefits from digital government initiatives. However, governments across the globe, including in Latin America and the Caribbean, have been slow to implement them in the face of constantly changing technologies. This report describes the results of a novel process--the building of future scenarios--aimed at helping governments advance reform in the face of technological and other uncertainties. The Innovation in Citizen Services Division and Knowledge Innovation and Communication Sector of the Inter-American Development Bank proposed these future scenarios to improve strategic decision making and encourage an open discussion on the future of digital identification systems from a non-traditional point of view. The results of this and future scenario-building exercises should spark innovative ideas that allow governments, public and private sector organizations, civil society, and citizens at large to re-think their role in the digital identification ecosystem in the next 10 years.