VON: Evolution - The Dawn of the vCon Era

Fall '24 VON: Evolution at the Boston Public Library wasn't just another industry event—it was the launchpad for a new communication revolution. Our inaugural Virtual Conversations (vCon) workshop marked the beginning of something transformative. Here’s why.

The vCon Revolution: A Paradigm Shift in Communication

I have been advocating for vCons for some time now, but witnessing their practical implementation at VON: Evolution was a pivotal moment.

Just as the leap from flip phones to smartphones transformed how we communicate, vCons represent a similar shift—redefining not just how we connect, but how we understand and interact with communication itself.

vCons are not just a new technology; they represent a fundamental rethinking of how we capture, analyze, and leverage conversation data enriched with metadata. Combined with GenAI and the emerging IETF protocol SCITT (Supply Chain Integrity, Transparency, and Trust), vCons form a communication ecosystem that is not only more efficient and intelligent, but also inherently trustworthy.

Transforming Industries: The Far-Reaching Impact of vCons

Most people who attended left Boston with a clear understanding vCons are poised to disrupt industries across the board. Opportunities span both horizontal and vertical markets. Companies like Strolid have already been leveraging vCons for two years, and call centers will likely see the earliest commercial deployments due to their operational readiness. Over the next year, we will witness the proliferation of vCon/SCITT solutions across industries on a global scale.

While AI has been integrated into the enterprise space for some time, here is the differentiator—vCons democratize access. With tools like ChatGPT and Claude natively reading vCons, smaller businesses now have a level playing field. The days of relying on expensive solutions for advanced analysis are coming to an end. The winds of disruption are unmistakable.

Bloomberg and vCons: A Glimpse into the Future of Finance

The "vCon in Finance" session at our vCon workshop, with insights from Bloomberg, was particularly telling. While the speakers from Bloomberg didn’t explicitly reveal their use of vCons, the implications were evident. When a leader like Bloomberg embraces innovation, the rest of the financial world inevitably follows. It is not a question of if, but when. This moment reminded me of the early days of VoIP, when many doubted its potential. Look where we stand today—vCons will bring about the same paradigm shift for data-driven communication.

Industry Giants Poised to Drive vCon Adoption

The momentum is building, and it’s becoming clear companies like: Cisco, Genesys, Somos and Verint are likely to consider supporting vCons in the near future. Some companies are keeping their plans confidential while refining their product roadmaps in anticipation of this new communication paradigm.

SCITT: Enhancing Trust and Security in the vCon Ecosystem

I found Thomas McCarthy-Howe and Steve Lasker’s talk on vCons and SCITT, followed by Thomas's conversation with Rusty Cumpston, to be truly inspiring and insightful. When SCITT is integrated with vCons, the result is a system that manages trust and consent in an unparalleled way. Consumers gain unprecedented control over their data, with the ability to grant or withdraw consent at will. In a world dominated by regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and financial compliance, this solution is exactly what companies need to ensure trust, security, and compliance.

For those concerned about regulatory compliance, especially in regard to the SEC’s "Off-Channel Communications" requirements, vCons and SCITT represent a future of secure, compliant communications.

The Birth of a New Industry: vCons as a Catalyst for Change

As VON: Evolution came to a close, it became evident the combination of vCons, AI, and SCITT isn’t just pushing technological boundaries—it is laying the foundation for a new ecosystem. Developers will have the opportunity to create applications that build on this framework, adding value across industries. Over the next 3-5 years, we will see a fundamental shift in how businesses communicate, analyze, and safeguard their conversations.

This isn’t merely an update to existing systems; it is the beginning of a complete overhaul that in time will create entirely new job functions, such as vCon developers, vCon security specialists, and vCon compliance officers. The emergence of vCons, alongside AI optimized PCs, could very well catalyze an enterprise-wide refresh of computers, ushering in an era of transformative change.

Spring 25 VON: Evolution amp; Spring 25 vCon: Exploring New Frontiers

Looking ahead, Spring '25 VON: Evolution will take place in Bentonville, Arkansas, from April 1-3, 2025, with a focus on Telecom, 5G, Public Policy, AI, and Supply Chains—a fitting topic given Bentonville's significance as Walmart’s home.

Additionally, I am excited to announce the launch of Spring '25 vCon in Boston on April 23-24, 2025, aimed at continuing to drive innovation and adoption in the vCon ecosystem.

If you’re interested in sponsorship or speaking opportunities, please reach out soon to explore how you can be part of these transformative events.

The Future of vCons: A Vision of Transformation

In the future, vCons can become as ubiquitous as email. Every conversation, every meeting, every transaction—captured, analyzed, and utilized in real-time. This technology holds the potential to elevate decision-making and drive unprecedented productivity across industries.

But vCons are about more than just business efficiency. In a world increasingly fraught with disinformation and mistrust, vCons and SCITT offer a way to restore confidence. The ability to verify the authenticity of a conversation will become invaluable in an era of skepticism. And the app ecosystem that will develop around vCons will redefine how businesses operate—much like how the iPhone app store revolutionized mobile computing.

While challenges remain—privacy concerns, regulatory hurdles—those who embrace the vCon revolution today will shape the future of communication for generations to come.

Your Invitation to the vCon Revolution

To those of you who are shaping the future—vCons represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Whether you're looking to integrate vCons into your organization or develop the next groundbreaking application, the potential is limitless.

I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us in Boston for Fall '24 VON: Evolution. Your vision, dedication, and engagement are what fuel this movement. Special thanks to our sponsors, speakers, and delegates for your unwavering support.

If what you’ve read here inspires you, let’s connect. Reach out to me at [email protected], and we can explore the possibilities together.

Here’s a bold prediction: By 2030, vCons will be the foundation of a new AI-driven communication infrastructure rendering today’s systems obsolete. The vCon era has arrived, and the future is ready for those who dare to lead.

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