Solving digital identity’s inclusion problem

As governments and businesses push deeper into digital-first service delivery, the question remains: who gets left out when identity moves online? Without reliable ways to prove who they are, individuals face barriers to opening bank accounts, accessing credit, securing employment or even completing basic online transactions.

“There are still significant barriers people face when proving their identity online in a digital-first world,” Ashley Kiolbasa, CMO of Prove told Think Digital Partners. “In many regions, access to formal identity remains limited – around 800 million people globally have no legal ID at all, and nearly three billion more lack access to a government-recognised credential. This foundational gap creates friction, exclusion, and risk across digital ecosystems.”

Moving beyond one-time identity checks

Historically, digital identity systems have relied on document uploads, passwords or knowledge-based questions. But as fraud grows more sophisticated and digital interactions become continuous rather than transactional, those methods are proving insufficient.

“Identity itself is evolving,” said Kiolbasa. “Trust online can no longer be established through a single, point-in-time check. To be effective and accurate, it must rely on deterministic, cryptographically anchored signals that establish legitimacy with high confidence.”

Systems designed around lifecycle validation rather than one-off proof can adapt to regional regulations, device constraints, and changing risk conditions without repeatedly interrupting users.

“By continuously validating identity throughout the entire lifecycle, rather than relying on one-time checks, Prove enables organisations to adapt to regional requirements, evolving risk, and changing user behaviour in real time,” said Kiolbasa. “The result is a more inclusive, resilient, and fraud-resistant digital ecosystem that empowers people and businesses to engage with confidence wherever and however digital interactions occur.”

Inclusion measured in outcomes

At Prove, Kiolbasa said inclusivity in digital identity is defined by real-world outcomes: how quickly people gain access, how effectively fraud is reduced, and how seamlessly trust can be reused over time.

“When identity works, people can secure loans, establish credit, and fully participate in the global economy,” she said.

According to the company, its systems can verify 2.5 billion people across 10 billion devices globally and have established cryptographically anchored trust for more than 400 million tokenised identities. The company reports that businesses using its platform onboard customers faster and recognise returning users more reliably, even in environments where devices are shared or connectivity is inconsistent.

“These gains translate directly into broader access, particularly for users who have historically experienced friction in digital onboarding,” said Kiolbasa.

The next frontier: AI agents and identity

Experts increasingly point to autonomous AI agents as the next major stress test for digital trust. As software begins to transact on behalf of humans, identity systems will need to verify not just users, but delegated authority.

“Looking ahead to 2026, the most transformative force in digital identity and fraud prevention will be the rise of agentic AI and tokenised identity,” said Kiolbasa. “As autonomous agents transact on behalf of users, the distinction between legitimate and fraudulent activity will blur.”

At the same time, she warned against overreliance on legacy tools. “Some trends, like standalone document scanning or legacy biometric point solutions, are already overhyped. They don’t solve the root challenge: continuous, real-time trust in a world of autonomous interactions.”

As more of everyday life moves online, the systems that establish trust will play a decisive role in determining who gets access – and who does not.