Introducing I_AM
I_AM is the answer to the Sublime Society’s identity question.
Identity theft is rampant. Centralised control over our personal information is the standard. In a world where privacy is constantly left by the wayside, we need I_AM: a new decentralised ID system that revolutionises how we define who we are. Inspired by the idea of a higher consciousness that connects all beings, I_AM is not just another ID system. It represents a fundamental shift in how we approach the fabric of identity.
Traditionally, identification systems like passports, licenses, and birth certificates are all assigned to people by authorities. Therefore, to travel, to drive, to exist requires that you surrender your identity to the systems within which these things function. I_AM flips this concept on its head. With I_AM, the owner of the ID is the person who tells everyone who they are, in their own terms. This means that people can have multiple identities depending on the context, and they can choose which identity to present to different parties.
I_AM is part of a new decentralised framework called Sublime Society, which is based on concepts outlined in the Soulbound white paper published by Vitalik Buterin in May 2022. Sublime Society is a societal vision that is based on decentralised technology, where individuals have greater control over their lives, and where the power is distributed more evenly. I_AM is a critical part of this framework because it provides a way for people to assert their identity in a secure and decentralised way.
With the I_AM approach, the power returns to the individual, which is where it should be. Moreover, since I_AM is decentralised, it is not subject to outside control or censorship. This means that people can express their identities freely, without fear of being censored, silenced or persecuted.
The potential applications of I_AM are vast. For example, it could be used to verify identities in online marketplaces, social media, and other online platforms. It could also be used to create a more secure and decentralised voting system, where people can verify their identity without having to rely on centralised authorities. In places where oppression is more pronounced, and people’s ability to speak freely is punishable, an I_AM ID enables free speech in the truest sense. Furthermore, it could be used to create more personalised and targeted advertising, where people can choose to share specific information about themselves with advertisers.
Notes on technical approach:
I_AM is being built on a the decentralised Edge Network P2P cloud compute infrastructure, involving both the $ETH and $XE ($EDGE) chains in the initial development, extending to other chains over time. Sublime Society governance will be accessible using I_AM passport and will be built using the [Edge Network Open Governance System](https://governance.edge.network/) Further articles on Governance approach will be published over the coming weeks.
We’ll be posting more about I_AM over the coming weeks and months, with particular focus on how I_AM will work, how you’ll practically use it, and how it fits in to the wider Sublime Society roadmap. In the meantime, feel free to join us on Telegram, or leave a comment below to start a discussion.
In times of hardship, remember: you are.
The Sublime Society team
