MIT Media Lab
Cambridge, MA
About
10 years in: A serious look at how blockchains can change how the world does business
We’ve seen how powerful blockchain technology can be, but how disruptive can it really become? Fundamental technological and market-related challenges still stand in the way of potentially world-changing applications. Now that the mania of 2017 and early 2018 has worn off, which projects and ideas have staying power?
The race is on to define the new blockchain era.
MIT Technology Review in collaboration with MIT Media Lab Digital Currency Initiative invite you to a one-day conference examining the technology, ethics, and impact of blockchains.
Meet pioneers in this emerging field
Learn about the technology to gain business advantage
Separate fact from hype, and what’s imminent from what’s far off
Our 2019 program will explore:
» The strengths and weaknesses of the underlying technology
» Lessons learned from early blockchain projects, and how the most promising new initiatives are attempting to transform key global industries
» How legal and regulatory environments around the world are adapting to the arrival of cryptocurrencies
» The potential for blockchain to address pressing social challenges, from expanding access to financial services to tracking war crimes
Check out the videos here »
Speakers
Meet the pioneers of this emerging technology
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Robleh
AliResearch Scientist, Digital Currency Initiative, MIT Media Lab
Stablecoins: Designing a Price-Stable Cryptocurrency
Robleh Ali is a research scientist at the MIT Media Lab's Digital Currency Initiative. His main focus is on how national currencies can be issued digitally outside the existing banking system and what role central banks should play in such a system. The overall aim is to fundamentally reform the financial system by changing the way money is issued. He previously led the research into central-bank-issued digital currency at the Bank of England. -
Elizabeth
Bramson-BoudreauCEO and Publisher, MIT Technology Review
Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau is the CEO and publisher of MIT Technology Review, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s media company. MIT Technology Review’s analysis, features, interviews, and events explain the impact of new technologies on business and society.
Elizabeth is leading the growth, expansion, and modernization of MIT Technology Review’s media platforms and products, including U.S. and international websites, newsletters, events, and an award-winning print magazine. Elizabeth also serves as chair of the global entrepreneurial network MIT Enterprise Forum.
Elizabeth has a 20-year background in building and running teams at world-leading media companies. She maintains a keen focus on new ways to commercialize media content to appeal to discerning, demanding consumers as well as B2B audiences.
Prior to joining MIT Technology Review, Elizabeth was the global managing director of the Economist Corporate Network (whose parent company publishes The Economist magazine), where she led editorial content creation, sales, marketing, and event operations. She also spent a decade working as a consultant.
Elizabeth holds an executive MBA from the London Business School, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College. -
Adam
CaplanSVP of Emerging Technology, Salesforce
Blockchain's Role in the Enterprise
As SVP of emerging technology, Adam Caplan is currently focused on Salesforce’s blockchain strategy. He previously ran the strategic projects consulting organization at Salesforce, a global team building custom applications on the platform to help companies reimagine what’s possible with Salesforce and turn their visions into reality. Adam joined Salesforce through the acquisition of Model Metrics in 2011. Model Metrics, which he founded in 2003, was a consulting company focused on helping enterprise organizations accelerate the adoption of cloud computing and enterprise mobile applications. In 2011, he was named CEO of the Year by the Illinois Technology Association. Adam earned his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and his undergraduate degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. -
Greg
Di PriscoHead of Business Development, MakerDAO
Gregory Di Prisco is the Head of Business Development at MakerDAO, creators of Dai, the world's first decentralized stablecoin. Dai is a cryptocurrency pegged to the US Dollar and collateralized with other cryptocurrencies. In addition to working with MakerDAO, Greg is a managing partner at Distributed Capital Partners, an investment partnership that specializes in early stage blockchain projects and distributed software. In 2016, along with other partners, Greg founded EtherIndex LLC, the first and only ETF in registration with the SEC to track the price of the cryptocurrency ether. Prior to working in the blockchain space, Greg was a futures trader at Axiom Markets LLC, trading a variety of commodity and financial derivatives. Greg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Villanova University. -
Thaddeus
DryjaResearch Scientist, DCI, MIT Media Lab
A creator of the Lightning Network, one of the most promising Bitcoin scaling solutions, Tadge Dryja leads DCI research focused on the scaling and interoperability of cryptocurrencies and smart contracts. -
Gary
GenslerSenior Lecturer, MIT Sloan School of Management
Crypto Regulation: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going
Gary Gensler is a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and senior advisor to the director of the MIT Media Lab, where he is a senior advisor to both the Digital Currency Initiative and the Ethics and Governance of AI project. Gensler served as chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (2009-2014), leading the Obama administration's post-crisis reform efforts of the $400 trillion market in over-the-counter derivatives, or swaps. In recognition, he was a recipient of the 2014 Tamar Frankel Fiduciary Prize. He currently is chairman of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission. Gensler earned his undergraduate degree in economics in 1978 and his MBA from the Wharton School in 1979. -
Thomas
HardjonoChief Technology Officer, MIT Connection Science and Engineering
Thomas Hardjono is the CTO of Connection Science and Engineering. He leads technical projects and initiatives around identity, security and data privacy, and engages industry partners and sponsors on these fronts. He is also the technical director for the Internet Trust Consortium under MIT Connection Science that implements open source software based on cutting edge research at MIT. The consortium embodies the MIT philosophy of giving back to the community.
Thomas has a BSc degree in Computer Science with Honors from the University of Sydney, and PhD degree in Computer Science from the University of New South Wales in Australia. -
Will
KnightSenior Editor for AI and Robotics, MIT Technology Review
Will Knight is a senior editor at MIT Technology Review, covering artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, self-driving cars, and human-machine collaboration. Will grew up in London, and was previously an editor at New Scientist magazine in the UK. -
Alexander
LabowitzGeneral Counsel, Cadre
Security Tokens: Opportunities, Challenges, and Timing
Alex is general counsel at Cadre, where he leads on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters and advises on special projects such as asset digitization and opportunity zones. Prior to joining Cadre, Alex worked on a broad range of international corporate and commercial real estate transactions at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Shearman & Sterling. Alex received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. -
Scott
LikensNew Services and Emerging Technologies Leader, PwC
Blockchain Promises Trust, But Can It Deliver? - Presented by PwC
Scott leads PwC’s New Services and Emerging Tech practice in the United States, Japan, and China. With more than 21 years of experience in emerging technology, he has helped clients transform their customer experience and enhance their digital operations.
Scott has worked across industries with some of the biggest multinational companies to transform their business by applying a local lens to global digital and emerging tech trends. He has expertise using emerging technology and advanced analytics in many areas, including e-commerce, digital architecture, mobile technologies, and social customer engagement. -
Rhys
LindmarkHead of Community and Long-Term Societal Impact, MIT Digital Currency Initiative
Rhys Lindmark currently works at MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative. He focuses on the ethics and impact of blockchain technology, and how to catalyze paradigmatic change. -
Caitlin
LongCofounder, Wyoming Blockchain Coalition
The Financialization of Cryptoassets
Caitlin Long is a 22-year Wall Street veteran who has been active in Bitcoin and blockchain since 2012. She has been leading the charge to make her native state of Wyoming an oasis for blockchain companies in the US, having helped Wyoming enact 13 blockchain-enabling laws in 2018 and 2019. From 2016 to 2018 she jointly spearheaded a blockchain project for delivering market index data to Vanguard as chairman and president of Symbiont, an enterprise blockchain startup. Caitlin ran Morgan Stanley’s pension solutions business (2007-2016), held senior roles at Credit Suisse (1997-2007), and began her career at Salomon Brothers (1994-1997). She is a graduate of Harvard Law School (JD 1994), the Kennedy School of Government (MPP 1994), and the University of Wyoming (BA 1990). -
Sonya
MannCommunications Manager, Zcash Foundation
The Path to Adoption: 3 Types of Product-Market Fit
Sonya Mann runs communications at the Zcash Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to technological privacy infrastructure. In the past, she reported on the tech industry for Inc.com, after several years as a freelance writer. -
Stephen
McKeonPartner, Collaborative Fund; Professor of Finance, University of Oregon
Security Tokens: Opportunities, Challenges, and Timing
Stephen McKeon is a finance professor at the University of Oregon and a partner at Collaborative Fund. At UO he studies crypto-assets, security issuance, and M&A. At Collaborative, he leads the portfolio focused on blockchain-based financial infrastructure. -
Aya
MiyaguchiExecutive Director, Ethereum Foundation
Values and Goals of the Blockchain Ecosystem
Aya originally became fascinated with blockchain for its potential to impact financial inclusion in emerging markets. She joined Kraken as managing director in early 2013 and has since worked to educate the public, VCs, and regulators on cryptocurrencies and blockchain innovation globally. As the executive director of the Ethereum Foundation, Aya leads the foundation’s teams and supports Ethereum through core development, research activities, and educational efforts aimed at further expanding the world’s largest blockchain ecosystem. In 2019, she was appointed to the World Economic Forum’s Blockchain Global Council. -
Sopnendu
MohantyChief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore
The Rise of Blockchain in Singapore
Sopnendu Mohanty is responsible for creating development strategies, public infrastructure, and regulatory policies around technology innovation. Mohanty has spent over 20 years in various leadership roles globally in technology, finance, and innovation. He has coauthored several patented works in area of retail distribution of the financial sector.
Mohanty extensively engages with ecosystems of various jurisdictions on innovation, policymaking, and tech-enabled financial services. He is on Institutional Investor’s list of influential fintech global dealmakers. Mohanty has been recognized internationally as a fintech thought leader. -
Charley
MooreFounder and CEO, Rocket Lawyer
Using Smart Contracts as Legal Contracts
Charley is the founder and CEO of Rocket Lawyer. His experience as an attorney representing startups exposed him to both the high cost and high value of great legal advice. So he started Rocket Lawyer to deliver high-value legal services at a price nearly everyone can afford. Today, Rocket Lawyer is one of the most widely used legal services in the world, with operations in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Charley graduated from the United States Naval Academy (BS) and the University of California at Berkeley (JD). He served as a US Navy officer and is a Gulf War veteran. He currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of Rocket Lawyer and on the executive board of Tech for America (T4A). -
Neha
NarulaDirector, Digital Currency Initiative, MIT Media Lab
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Research
Neha Narula is director of the Digital Currency Initiative, a part of the MIT Media Lab where she teaches courses and leads cryptocurrency and blockchain research. While completing her PhD in computer science at MIT, she built fast, scalable databases and secure software systems, and she spoke about these topics at dozens of industry and research conferences.
In a previous life, Narula helped relaunch the news aggregator Digg and was a senior software engineer at Google. There, she designed Blobstore, a system for storing and serving petabytes of immutable data, and worked on Native Client, a system for running native code securely through a browser. -
Mike
OrcuttAssociate Editor, MIT Technology Review
Mike Orcutt is an associate editor at MIT Technology Review, focusing on the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchains. His reporting, which includes a twice-weekly, blockchain-focused email newsletter, Chain Letter, revolves around one central question: Why does blockchain technology matter? -
Monica
QuaintanceHead of Research and Networks, Kadena
Technical Developments of Permissioned Blockchains
Monica Quaintance leads research and networks at Kadena. She is a former tech lead and senior data engineer at Rent the Runway and a former qualitative analytics engineer at the SEC. Prior to that, as an investment banking associate, Monica securitized and restructured commercial real estate assets at Cushman and Wakefield. Monica has degrees in statistics and probability, as well as economics, from Columbia University. She is also a cofounder of Universal Consensus, a blockchain-focused pro-diversity organization. -
Haseeb
QureshiAdvisor, MetaStable Capital
Stablecoins: Designing a Price-Stable Cryptocurrency
Haseeb Qureshi is an advisor at MetaStable Capital, a leading cryptocurrency hedge fund. He is a former software engineer, previously at Earn.com and Airbnb. He also teaches a seminar on cryptocurrencies at the Bradfield School of Computer Science. -
Michael
ReillyExecutive Editor, MIT Technology Review
As Executive Editor, Michael Reilly helps build new digital editorial products, such as newsletters and website enhancements. He also commissions and edits stories for MIT Technology Review's print and digital offerings.
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Dan
RobinsonResearch Partner, Paradigm
Scaling and Interoperability
Dan is a research partner at Paradigm, a crypto asset investment firm. He previously worked as a protocol researcher at Interstellar and Chain, where he led development on Ivy, a smart-contract language for Bitcoin, and Starlight, a payment channel network on Stellar. Dan has been involved in research and development in several open-source projects and communities, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Stellar, Plasma, Interledger, and Cosmos. Previously, he was an attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. He has a JD from Harvard Law School and an AB from Harvard College. -
Jessica
RosenworcelCommissioner, Federal Communications Commission
A View from the FCC: Blockchain and Wireless Spectrum
Named as one of Politico’s 50 Politicos to Watch, Jessica Rosenworcel brings over two decades of communications policy experience and public service to her position as a member of the Federal Communications Commission. Prior to joining the agency, she served as senior communications counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under the leadership of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Senator Daniel Inouye. Before entering public service, Jessica practiced communications law in Washington, DC.
She is a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and a graduate of Wesleyan University and New York University School of Law. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Mark, and children Caroline and Emmett. -
Peter
Van ValkenburghDirector of Research, Coin Center
Permissionless or Permissioned? Parallels with the Early Internet
Peter is director of research at Coin Center, the leading non-profit research and advocacy group focused on the public policy issues facing cryptocurrency technologies such as Bitcoin. He is a graduate of NYU Law. He drafts the center’s public regulatory comments, and helps shape its research agenda. He has testified before the House and Senate, briefed staff and members of the EU parliament, and educated policymakers and regulatory staff around the world on the subject of cryptocurrency regulation and decentralized computing systems. Previously, he was a Google Policy Fellow and collaborated with various digital rights organizations on projects related to privacy, surveillance, and digital copyright law. -
Stacie
WaleykoDeveloper, Casa
Stacie has experience working on everything from permissioned ledgers to public blockchains. Currently she is a developer at Casa, building key management solutions for sovereign individuals. Before that, she was the engineering lead on distributed ledger technologies at Context Labs. -
Simon
WhitehouseSenior Managing Director for Financial Services, Growth and Strategy, Accenture
Understanding the Permissioned Ledger Ecosystems
Simon Whitehouse has been with Accenture for more than 25 years, mostly in the financial services sector. He has concentrated on helping retail banks around the world improve their operations and performance.
Mr. Whitehouse has led Accenture’s client relationships with some of the company’s largest banking clients and serves as a member of the board for its UK business and the Accenture Development Partnerships organization. His work has crossed countries and continents—Australia, Denmark, Turkey and the United States—as well as differing aspects of the financial services business, from capital markets to retail banking. He previously led Accenture’s financial services group in the United Kingdom and Ireland and was senior managing director for financial services and management consulting.
He graduated from Cambridge University. -
Emily
WilliamsBlockchain Developer, Level K
Emily Williams is an Ethereum dapp developer. She works with token curated registries, prediction markets, and bonding curves. Additionally, she hosts the Boston Ethereum Developers meetups. -
Hui
ZhangDirector, Ant Financial Blockchain Division; Head of Blockchain Lab, Alibaba Damo Academy
Blockchain in China
Hui Zhang is director of blockchain division at Ant Financial and also the head of the Blockchain Lab at Alibaba Damo Academy. He is responsible for the R&D and commercialization of Ant Financial’s blockchain technology. Prior to joining Ant Financial, he was the head of the systems research department at NEC Labs America, focusing on R&D for high-performance distributed systems and networks, especially P2P network algorithms and big data analytics. He holds a PhD in computer science from the University of Southern California.
Blockchain 2019 Schedule
Join the conversation
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
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5:00Registration Opens
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6:00Blockchain Primer
Open to all attendees, this pre-event session will provide a crash course on the latest developments in the fast-moving blockchain space. The primer is geared for attendees newer to the blockchain space looking to build a mental model of the technology and will provide a baseline for understanding the mainstage programming the following day.
Stacie Waleyko Developer, Casa
Emily Williams Blockchain Developer, Level K
Thaddeus Dryja Research Scientist, DCI, MIT Media Lab
Greg Di Prisco Head of Business Development, MakerDAO
Thomas Hardjono Chief Technology Officer, MIT Connection Science and Engineering
Rhys Lindmark Head of Community and Long-Term Societal Impact, MIT Digital Currency Initiative
Mike Orcutt Associate Editor, MIT Technology Review
Thursday, May 2, 2019
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8:00Registration & Breakfast
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9:00Opening Remarks
In 2017, blockchain technology was a revolution that was poised to disrupt the global financial system. In 2018, it was a disappointment. Now that the mania has worn off, which projects and ideas have staying power, and what industries beyond fintech still stand to benefit from this technology?
Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau CEO and Publisher, MIT Technology Review
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9:10Blockchain Today
We’ve seen how powerful blockchain technology can be, but how disruptive can it really become? Fundamental technological and market-related challenges like interoperability and scaling still stand in the way of potentially world-changing business applications. Our speakers explain the current landscape of blockchain technology.
Neha Narula Director, Digital Currency Initiative, MIT Media Lab
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Research
Dan Robinson Research Partner, Paradigm
Scaling and Interoperability
Simon Whitehouse Senior Managing Director for Financial Services, Growth and Strategy, Accenture
Understanding the Permissioned Ledger Ecosystems
Monica Quaintance Head of Research and Networks, Kadena
Technical Developments of Permissioned Blockchains -
10:10Roundtable: How Is Blockchain Technology Evolving?
Some of blockchain technology’s most promising applications are still being built. Zeroing in on cutting-edge research and development can shed light on where things are headed. Our panel discusses these challenges and possible solutions for wider blockchain adoption.
Neha Narula Director, Digital Currency Initiative, MIT Media Lab
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Research
Dan Robinson Research Partner, Paradigm
Scaling and Interoperability
Simon Whitehouse Senior Managing Director for Financial Services, Growth and Strategy, Accenture
Understanding the Permissioned Ledger Ecosystems
Monica Quaintance Head of Research and Networks, Kadena
Technical Developments of Permissioned Blockchains -
10:30Break & Networking
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11:00Privacy and the Zero-Knowledge Toolset
Sonya Mann Communications Manager, Zcash Foundation
The Path to Adoption: 3 Types of Product-Market Fit -
11:20Roundtable: Stablecoins—Designing a Price-Stable Cryptocurrency
Will cryptocurrencies ever become much more than speculative assets? If they do, the key might be a new kind of digital coin that is engineered to maintain a steady price.
Robleh Ali Research Scientist, Digital Currency Initiative, MIT Media Lab
Stablecoins: Designing a Price-Stable Cryptocurrency
Haseeb Qureshi Advisor, MetaStable Capital
Stablecoins: Designing a Price-Stable Cryptocurrency -
11:40Smart Contracts: Expanding Access to Legal Services
Mainstream online legal services are getting serious about using crypto to automate bits of what they do—and lower the bar to entry for us all. If proven to work, this technology could be a powerful tool for businesses in all industries looking for legal contract execution and payment.
Charley Moore Founder and CEO, Rocket Lawyer
Using Smart Contracts as Legal Contracts -
12:00Roundtable: Security Tokens— Opportunities, Challenges, and Timing
New kinds of trading platforms have opened the door to “tokenizing” traditional assets like company shares and trading them on a blockchain. Our panelists discuss the potential for security tokens to be a bridge between the traditional finance market, venture capital firms, and the emerging blockchain technology.
Stephen McKeon Partner, Collaborative Fund; Professor of Finance, University of Oregon
Security Tokens: Opportunities, Challenges, and Timing
Alexander Labowitz General Counsel, Cadre
Security Tokens: Opportunities, Challenges, and Timing -
12:20Blockchain's Role in the Enterprise
Adam Caplan SVP of Emerging Technology, Salesforce
Blockchain's Role in the Enterprise -
12:40Lunch & Networking
Special Session Presented by PwC
Blockchain Promises Trust, But Can It Deliver?
In this session, we will explore the notion of automating trust of “assets in motion” through the convergence of blockchain with other emerging technologies like IoT and AI. Whether the asset is digital, physical, or human, the costs of ecosystem- and enterprise-level trust take different forms. Using real world examples, hear the PwC perspective on the promise blockchain makes and if it can deliver to address the costs of having truly automated trust.
Scott Likens New Services and Emerging Technologies Leader, PwC
Blockchain Promises Trust, But Can It Deliver? - Presented by PwC -
2:00Blockchain’s Global Impact
As blockchain technology continues to grow rapidly in Asian countries, what lessons can be learned? Understand how regulation is shaping the blockchain landscape, and learn about the practical ways this technology is already being deployed.
Hui Zhang Director, Ant Financial Blockchain Division; Head of Blockchain Lab, Alibaba Damo Academy
Blockchain in China
Sopnendu Mohanty Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore
The Rise of Blockchain in Singapore -
3:00Values and Goals of the Blockchain Ecosystem
Aya Miyaguchi Executive Director, Ethereum Foundation
Values and Goals of the Blockchain Ecosystem -
3:30Break & Networking
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4:00Regulation in the Blockchain Era
Blockchains and cryptotokens don’t fit neatly into existing regulatory frameworks. What considerations must regulators make to encourage continued blockchain development rather than stifling innovation? Our speakers discuss the current stage of blockchain regulation and some possible ways government could benefit from this technology.
Jessica Rosenworcel Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
A View from the FCC: Blockchain and Wireless Spectrum
Peter Van Valkenburgh Director of Research, Coin Center
Permissionless or Permissioned? Parallels with the Early Internet
Caitlin Long Cofounder, Wyoming Blockchain Coalition
The Financialization of Cryptoassets
Gary Gensler Senior Lecturer, MIT Sloan School of Management
Crypto Regulation: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going -
5:20Closing Remarks
What are the potential implications for every business to consider in the years ahead, regardless of industry?
Neha Narula Director, Digital Currency Initiative, MIT Media Lab
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Research
Rhys Lindmark Head of Community and Long-Term Societal Impact, MIT Digital Currency Initiative
Mike Orcutt Associate Editor, MIT Technology Review
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5:30Reception
MIT Technology Review is proud to present this program in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab Digital Currency Initative.
Visit the DCI homepage »
The Digital Currency Initiative is a MIT Media Lab research group focusing on cryptocurrencies and their underlying technology. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin enable open, trustless digital payments and contracts. In the spirit of the Internet's wide reach, this technology and the people behind it have the potential to increase wellbeing for billions of people and become a crucial part of daily life. We engage in fundamental research while shedding light on the associated benefits, risks, and ethical quandaries. Beyond research centered at MIT, we also help support open-source cryptocurrency communities and diversity, and look to foster a broader academic community in this space.
Register now
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Online registration is closed. Please check back after the event for MIT Technology Review coverage and videos »
Registration includes all sessions, breakfast, lunch, breaks, and a closing reception on May 2. Paying attendees are offered a complimentary one-year Insider Basic subscription.
Bonus content: a pre-event explainer session on May 1. Pre-registration is required; opt in when completing your registration.
Your registration also includes the Chain Letter email newsletter with the latest on blockchain tech and its impact delivered to your inbox twice a week.
Event registration is no longer available.
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your registration for any reason, you must notify us in writing before April 1, 2019 for a refund less a $295 processing fee. Cancellations on and after April 1 are nonrefundable. You may transfer your registration to another person at any time by providing authorization to us in writing. All cancellations and transfers should be sent to eventsreg@technologyreview.com.
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Attendee Code of Conduct
The mission of MIT Technology Review is to equip our audiences with the intelligence to understand and contribute to a world shaped by technology. We have curated a series of discussions that includes a wide range of views on the most significant technologies and trends of the year. We value diversity of ideas and perspectives from our speakers and our audience. We are proud to bring varying points of view to our stage, and are committed to providing a respectful environment for our speakers and audience. By joining us at an event, you agree to maintain a respectful environment during all parts of the program.
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Venue + Travel
May 2, 2019
MIT Media Lab
Cambridge, MA
MIT Media Lab
Building E14
75 Amherst Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
View on a campus map »
Conference Location: Entire 6th floor of Building E14
Attendee Registration: Lobby on 1st floor of Building E14
Hotel information
Hyatt Regency Cambridge
Discounted Conference Rate:
$239/night + tax
See more details
Hyatt Regency Cambridge is located along the scenic Charles River overlooking the Boston skyline and is in the midst of two uncommonly exciting cities, Boston and Cambridge. Discover Boston and Cambridge at a hotel just minutes from Boston, adjacent to MIT, Harvard and Boston Universities. The Hyatt's guests are greeted with a dynamic 16-story atrium lobby featuring 470 newly renovated guestrooms. Zephyr on the Charles is the hotel's full service restaurant featuring eclectic dining, extraordinary views and authentic service. The state-of-the art Hyatt Stay Fit Health Club features a 75 ft heated indoor pool, eucalyptus sauna and steam room.
Book online at the discounted rate »
You may also reserve your room by phone at: 617-492-1234. Be sure to mention the MIT Technology Review Blockchain room block.
The group rate expires on April 10, 2019.
Directions
MIT is located on the north shore of the Charles River Basin in Cambridge, MA, USA. The campus is within three miles of two major interstate highways and less than six miles from a major international airport; it is accessible via public transportation. MIT is a 15-30 minute walk from downtown Boston (depending on the weather). MIT is a 30-40 minute walk from Harvard University, which is located just up the river from MIT.
Via Public Transportation
MBTA ("The T") Subway — Take the Red Line subway to the Kendall/MIT Station.
The Media Lab is located on the Red Line at the "Kendall/MIT" stop of the subway. You can transfer to the Red Line without additional fees from any other subway line at the appropriate station. Please check the subway map at your boarding point for more detailed information.
At the Kendall/MIT stop, you will surface on Main Street in Kendall Square. Landmarks include the Marriott Hotel and the MIT Coop. Facing Main Street, with the Marriott Hotel and the MIT Coop to your back, proceed right (west) to the first traffic light. This is the intersection of Main Street and Ames Street, with Legal Seafoods on the corner. Turn left onto Ames Street. The Media Lab is about halfway down the block, the second building on the left at 20 Ames Street. It is a large, contemporary, whitetiled building. Adjacent and connected to E15 is the new Media Lab expansion building (E14); its address is 75 Amherst Street. For information on Boston's public transportation system, including maps and schedules for bus, subway, and commuter rail service, please consult the MBTA.
From Logan Airport
By Taxi — Taxi fare from the airport is about $20$25. During nonrush hour, the taxi ride will take about 15 minutes. During rush hour, the ride could take 30 minutes.
By Subway — From any terminal at Logan Airport, take the Silver Line bus to South Station. At South Station, change to the Red Line subway to Kendall/MIT (inbound toward Alewife). Under normal conditions the ride will take about 30 minutes; the fare is $2.00.
By Car — Leaving the airport, follow the signs to the Sumner Tunnel. Enter the tunnel and stay in the right lane. At the end of the tunnel, continue to stay in the right lane, start down an incline and bear to the right immediately at the sign for Storrow Drive. Take Exit 26 for Cambridge/Somerville. Follow the signs for Back Bay/Cambridge (do not take the exit for Cambridge/Somerville). Stay in the right lane and follow the signs for Storrow Drive Westbound. After you pass under the pedestrian walkbridges, change to the left lane and take the exit for 2A North. Turn right and cross the Harvard Bridge (Massachusetts Avenue).
Driving
From the Massachusetts Turnpike — Exit at "Brighton/Cambridge." Follow signs to Cambridge. The Doubletree Hotel will be on your right. Go straight over the bridge into Cambridge (on River Street) and take your first right onto Memorial Drive. The Charles River will be on your right. Go straight on Memorial Drive, staying to the left and going over the overpass at the Boston University (B.U.) Bridge (past MicroCenter). Staying in the left lane, pass under the next bridge, which is the Harvard Bridge (Massachusetts Avenue). The first street after that bridge, to the left, is Ames Street—but it is one way in the wrong direction. You will have to take the second left (sign says Kendall Square) onto Wadsworth Street. Take the first left onto Amherst Street. The Media Lab is at 75 Amherst Street (E14) and 20 Ames Street (E15), at the corner where Amherst Street ends at Ames Street.
From Logan Airport — Leaving the airport, take the Sumner Tunnel to 93 North. Exit right off of 93 at the Cambridge/Storrow Drive exit. When the ramp splits, bear right following signs to Storrow Drive. Exit left at the Kendall Square exit. At the traffic light, go right onto the Longfellow Bridge. Follow Main Street (Main flows into Broadway) and take a left at the second set of lights (Ames Street). The Media Lab will be on your left about a block and a half down Ames Street. Logan International Airport's Web site provides uptotheminute information on weather, construction, and traffic.
To Logan Airport — Drive away from the river on Ames Street, and make the first right onto Main Street. Follow Main Street to the Longfellow Bridge; proceed over the Longfellow Bridge. At the end of the bridge, there will be signage directing you to Route 93 South. Follow Route 93 South to the Airport exit. From Route I93: From I93, take exit 26, and follow the signs to Back Bay along Storrow Drive West, approximately 1.5 miles, to the exit for Route 2A. The exit will be on the left, just before the Harvard Bridge (Massachusetts Avenue). The Charles River will be on your right. As you cross the bridge, you will be looking at MIT. At the end of the bridge, turn right on to Memorial Drive. The first street after that bridge, to the left, is Ames Street—but it is one way in the wrong direction. You will have to take the second left (sign says Kendall Square) onto Wadsworth Street. Take the first left onto Amherst Street. The Media Lab is at 75 Amherst Street (E14) and 20 Ames Street (E15), at the corner where Amherst Street ends at Ames Street.
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The Digital Currency Initiative is a MIT Media Lab research group focusing on cryptocurrencies and their underlying technology. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin enable open, trustless digital payments and contracts. In the spirit of the Internet's wide reach, this technology and the people behind it have the potential to increase wellbeing for billions of people and become a crucial part of daily life. We engage in fundamental research while shedding light on the associated benefits, risks, and ethical quandaries. Beyond research centered at MIT, we also help support open-source cryptocurrency communities and diversity, and look to foster a broader academic community in this space.
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The MIT Media Lab transcends known boundaries and disciplines by actively promoting a unique, antidisciplinary culture that emboldens unconventional mixing and matching of seemingly disparate research areas. Designers, nanotechnologists, data visualization experts, mechanical engineers, material scientists, industry researchers, and pioneers of computer interfaces work side by side to invent -- and reinvent -- how humans experience, and can be aided by, technology.
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Event Partner
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PwC helps companies break down silos, unearth new value, and make tomorrow. We transform business outcomes and results, helping companies use digital and emerging tech to reimagine their business, from strategy and operations to tax and finance. Our 250,000+ business strategists, experience designers, data scientists, technologists, and finance specialists in 158 countries work at the intersection of business, experience, and technology (BXT), which combines the best of PwC in a way that’s faster, more agile, and more accountable for our clients, from ideas to results.
Media Partner
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Make your story impossible to ignore with BIGfish PR. Storytellers for top technology brands and innovators. Product launches, review campaigns, national coverage and more at BIGfishPR.com.
Interested in partnering with us?
Contact Andrew Hendler at 646-520-6981 or via e-mail.