Platform Leaders November 2023

GUEST REGISTRATION AND FRENCH BREAKFAST

In-person guest registration at the Science Museum

WELCOME TALK

Start of the online webinar and the in-person conference.
Platform Leaders introduction by the master of ceremony.

STATE OF THE PLATFORM ECONOMY

This keynote on the state of the platform economy will set the scene for the day and highlight how the fundamental shift from value chains to digital platforms has profoundly transformed organisations in the past decade. Based on the most recent research and the forthcoming second edition of Platform Strategy, this session will review the present-day dynamics, challenges, and opportunities within the platform economy as well as new emerging trends that will no doubt shape the organisations of tomorrow.

What is new in the platform economy? How digital platforms have adapted post pandemic? What are the key challenges faced by new and existing platforms, including regulatory, competitive, and technological challenges? What is the likely impact of AI on digital platforms? Beyond today’s platforms what are the new organisational forms, from ecosystems to distributed autonomous organisations (DAOs) that are emerging?

KEYNOTE: HOW AI IS TAKING PLATFORM STRATEGY TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Digital platforms have long been using the power of artificial intelligence. However, the emergence new generative AI models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT are nothing short of transformational. It changes competitive advantage in many industries. Even established platforms are not immune.

So, how can digital platforms build or sustain competitive advantage in this fast changing environment? What are the potential impacts on talent, strategy, and society as a whole?

HOW CAN PLATFORMS POWER THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS?

Digital platforms have emerged as a catalyst in propelling the circular economy, which emphasises the reduction of waste through the reuse, repair, and recycling of products. These platforms facilitate the exchange of goods and services, extending the lifespan of various items, especially those that are resource-intensive to manufacture, such as smartphones, furniture and high-quality apparel. As these platforms grow in scale, they have the potential to create more sustainable ecosystems by reducing the demand for new products, thus alleviating the strain on natural resources and minimising environmental degradation.

What strategies can be employed to scale circular platforms and amplify their impact on sustainable ecosystems? How can collaborations between digital platforms, governmental bodies, and other stakeholders expedite the transition towards a circular economy? What are the potential challenges that might arise in scaling circular platforms and how can they be mitigated?

COFFEE BREAK

THE FUTURE OF PLATFORM REGULATION: POLICY MAKING & ENFORCEMENT IN AN AI WORLD

While digital platforms have been able to innovate and scale their businesses largely unencumbered by specific regulations, this is about to change. In Europe, two new milestone regulatory packages, the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Market Act (DMA), are now laws, so called ‘gatekeepers’, ‘very large online platforms’ and ‘very large search engines’ have been designated and enforcement will start soon. Other countries such as the UK and the US are following suit. Yet the speed of change and innovation in the market is accelerating and the ‘coming wave’ of AI is upon us.

What will happen as regulators shift from policy making to enforcement? How can regulation keep pace with fast changing and high innovation markets? Is there a new emerging regulatory paradigm beyond utilities? How can platforms continue to innovate in increasingly regulated environments? How will regulation shape the sector going forward? What are the risks?

NETWORKING LUNCH

THE FUTURE OF PLATFORM INVESTMENT: SECURING EXPONENTIAL RETURNS

Digital platforms have been the darlings of investors over the past decade and provided some of the highest returns ever witnessed. This has helped platform founders secure significant VC investments to finance their growth. However, with a lower number of IPOs, a more difficult investment landscape, and the new AI wave, digital platforms will have to demonstrate their potential and ability to monetise sooner rather than later.

What are the key challenges that digital platforms are facing in the current investment landscape? What are the key trends affecting the investment landscape at the moment and what advice would you give to platform founders looking to secure VC investment? How can digital platforms demonstrate their potential and ability to monetize in a more difficult investment environment? What role will AI play in the future of digital platforms?

THE FUTURE OF PLATFORM RESEARCH

This panel explores ongoing academic research, emerging theories, and future directions in platform research. Given the interdisciplinary nature of platform research, that panel will touch upon technical, economic, social, and regulatory perspectives. Speakers will review recent significant findings as well as new emerging trends.

What are the more interesting recent research findings and what are the implications for practitioners and policy makers? What are the current hot topics in platform research? How is AI both becoming an important research topic beyond computer science, from ethics to economics? What are the new emerging trends and most promising areas for future research?

COFFEE BREAK

THE FUTURE OF PAYMENT PLATFORMS

Firms like Visa and Mastercard were among the original platforms - connecting billions of cardholders and merchants globally to transact - thus creating a unique payment ecosystem that is still at the heart of our economies. However, the system is rapidly changing to meet the evolving needs of merchants and consumers and respond to new payment regulations. Moreover, a raft of new entrants around the world are developing alternative payment solutions, including wallets, identity, open banking, peer-to-peer, BNPL, super-apps, digital currencies, and NFTs.

How is the UK and Europe stacking up against the rest of the world on payments? How are payments evolving to meet the unique needs of marketplaces and platforms? How can social media companies, such as YouTube and Instagram, build trusted native payment solutions to empower the creator economy? How are new payment regulations impacting the traditional payment ecosystem? What lessons can we learn from some of the leading regional payment systems around the world, such as mPesa, Pix, and UPI? How are cryptocurrencies and other alternative payment methods changing the landscape? Tips for other platforms -like marketplaces- keen to get the best payment experiences for their ecosystem participants? What is the future of payments?

CONFERENCE WRAP UP

Closing remarks and key insights from the event by our master of ceremony and conference co-chairs.

CONFERENCE CLOSES

End of the conference. Guided visit of the Museum and networking drinks.