“Meet the People of Aptitude” introduces the experts and innovators working behind the Aptitude project, one of Europe’s large-scale pilots testing the European Digital Identity Wallet in real-life conditions.
In this interview, we meet Henri Verdier, CEO of the Intria Foundation in France. A leading voice on digital sovereignty and public infrastructure, Henri brings a sharp political and philosophical perspective to the question of why Europe must design, control and govern its own digital identity systems. His message is clear: the choices Europe makes today about digital infrastructure will shape the values it can defend tomorrow.
Why is it crucial for Europe to retain control over the governance of its digital identities?
“For me, digital identity is the cornerstone of digital public infrastructure. The truth is, if we don’t control these infrastructures, we end up being controlled by them. As someone once told me in India, if you work on someone else’s infrastructure, you are like an Uber driver – you don’t decide your salary.”
How can we reconcile technological innovation with democratic sovereignty?
“We live in a world where there are people who tend to oppose innovation and democracy. They are completely wrong. The big monopolies are the worst enemies of innovation, and therefore a little regulation and a little openness are essential. In Europe, we don’t just want innovation, we want progress – progress for everyone. So, the kinds of innovation that don’t serve that purpose don’t interest us.”
How does the EUDI Wallet support and reinforce European values in the digital space?
“The wallet defends our values first of all through its design choices and the way it is developed. It has been the subject of a vast consultation, with many voices contributing. But I would also say that it defends them because, in truth, if we do not make the decisions and control our infrastructures, we will not be able to uphold our values. This is the eternal rule in the digital world: code is law.”
A word about Aptitude?
“Aptitude commands respect – through the scale, the diversity and the expertise of its consortium. However, I see that as a measure of means, not yet a measure of impact. So now we are impatient to see results and to use our digital wallet, for example at the airport.”
The Aptitude project brings together partners from 11 EU Member States and Ukraine to test the European Digital Identity Wallet in real-life scenarios such as travel, payments and digital services. The goal is to make digital identity secure, trusted and citizen-controlled, while ensuring services can work seamlessly across borders.
Learn more about the Aptitude Consortium: https://aptitude.digital-identity-wallet.eu/our-consortium/
