In today's era of advancing digitalization and blockchain technology, Smart Island has caught global attention with its visionary technology and unique social ecosystem. Forbes Crypto is privileged to have Dr. Bill Roscoe, co-founder of Smart Island and a member of the University of Oxford's Blockchain Research Center, to delve deeply into the vision, strategy, future, and the core ideas and technology behind this world-changing project.
 

 
Forbes Crypto: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Roscoe. Could you start by sharing the background and initial intent behind Smart Island?
 
Bill Roscoe: Thank you for the invitation. To understand the origin of Smart Island, we must look back at the fundamental problems of digital socializing. The Web2.0 era, despite connecting people globally, brought issues like data privacy violations, centralized control, and algorithmic biases, limiting genuine interactions and deep connections online.
 
Smart Island was conceived in response to these challenges. Our vision is not just to offer another social platform but to create a truly safe, authentic, and user-centered social experience.
 
In the digital world, identity has transcended traditional boundaries. It's no longer just a name or digital identifier but represents our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. At Smart Island, we believe that to provide a genuinely profound social experience, we need to rethink and redefine this concept of identity. That's why we focus on integrating blockchain technology with social networking to create a truly decentralized platform that offers real, deep connections and interactions. Hence, we created the DSIM digital passport, redefining 'social' and 'identity' in the digital realm, ensuring every user feels respected and connected not just technically but on a human level.
 
Forbes Crypto: Speaking of data privacy and security, how does the DSIM digital passport help users address these issues?
 
Bill Roscoe: Great question. The DSIM digital passport is more than an identity marker. At its core is a blockchain-based decentralized identity verification system, with several unique advantages for user privacy and security.
 

 
Firstly, it uses the ZKP (Zero-Knowledge Proof) SNARK system, meaning users can prove their identity without revealing any personal information. This provides an unprecedented level of privacy, as you no longer need to disclose any private data to verify yourself.
 
Secondly, all data in the DSIM digital passport is encrypted and entirely controlled by the user. Unlike traditional centralized identity verification systems, no centralized entity or third party can access or control a user's personal data. This provides a highly secure environment for users to share and interact without fear of their data being misused or leaked.
 
Lastly, as the DSIM digital passport is based on blockchain technology, all transactions and interactions are public, transparent, and immutable. This establishes a trusting environment for all participants in the social network, allowing everyone to engage, share, and communicate confidently.
 

 
Forbes Crypto: What role does the DSIM digital passport play in Smart Island?
 
Bill Roscoe: The DSIM digital passport is key in the Smart Island ecosystem. It provides each user with a unique identity marker, ensuring their data and privacy are fully protected. It represents a new form of identity verification in the Web3.0 world, secure across chains, platforms, and even off-chain.
 
Forbes Crypto: We understand that Smart Island offers a range of rich social functions and applications, from regular social interactions to the high-end EliteClub, and financial and business applications. Could you share more details about these features?
 
Bill Roscoe: Certainly. We've designed features like SmartChat, RWAs Polygon Island, PlayZone, etc., to provide a complete Web3.0 experience. For instance, PlayZone combines advanced AR technology to offer a new offline consumption experience, where users can catch NFT rewards launched by businesses through the AR system and participate in various offline activities. Additionally, RWAs Polygon Island allows users to digitize real-world assets, whether it's real estate, commodities, or bonds, creating new paths for asset circulation and value appreciation.
 
Forbes Crypto: Smart Island seems to be shaping a complex ecosystem combining social, financial, and business elements. In your view, why is such an integrated model gaining popularity in the market?
 
Bill Roscoe: In the Web3.0 era, people seek not just data privacy and security but also a more convenient and efficient lifestyle. Smart Island's comprehensive ecosystem responds to this need. Users can socialize, trade, learn, and entertain on the same platform, greatly enhancing their life efficiency and experience. Also, the decentralized nature means every user gains greater rights and autonomy.
 
Forbes Crypto: How do you view Smart Island's competition with other existing social or blockchain platforms?
 
Bill Roscoe: I believe the real competition isn't in technology but in the value provided to users. The core philosophy of Smart Island is to enable everyone to communicate and grow in a real, free, and secure environment. This is our most significant difference from other platforms. We offer not just technical services but a genuinely user-centric social world.
 

 
Forbes Crypto: Finally, what would you like to say to Smart Island’s and global readers?
 
Bill Roscoe: I'd like to tell everyone that Smart Island is not just a project or product; it represents an ideology, a hope for the future. I believe that with technological progress, Smart Island will become a milestone in the Web3.0 world. We sincerely invite global users and developers to join us in creating a better digital future.
 
Forbes Crypto: Dr. Roscoe, thank you for sharing these profound insights. In this rapidly changing digital age, Smart Island appears to offer a new possibility for social networking. We sincerely hope your team continues this innovative journey, bringing more beyond-traditional social experiences and values to global users. Thank you again for sharing today, and we look forward to speaking with you again.