Still unclear about blockchain? This new Atlanta co-working space wants to help – WABE
Technology founder Marlon Williams believes blockchain represents the future of the way we interact and do business online.
“Creators, the ones who upload the images, write status messages, add personal information to these pages, they are the ones who will monetize their data online,” Williams said. “So the future of the internet is controlled by individuals, not companies, and that’s because of blockchain technology.”
Blockchain is a decentralized ledger designed to work peer-to-peer and be more reliable than the way information is currently stored online – where centralized servers or databases are owned by companies.
On Monday, Williams celebrated the opening of the Atlanta Blockchain Center in Buckhead, the first of its kind in the city. The center is run by Starter Labs, a technology incubator.
“I saw this as an opportunity to build a space that would help nurture projects, be a learning center, a collaborative space, to help put Atlanta on the blockchain technology map,” Williams said of the 2,500 space. square feet on Old Ivey Road, just off Roswell Road in Buckhead.
While blockchain is the technology that underlies cryptocurrency, the two are not interchangeable. By opening the center, Williams hopes to help entrepreneurs interested in creating a blockchain startup learn from those who already have experience working with the new technology.
“Most people are not aware of the technology, and when they become aware of it, they are intimidated,” Williams said. “It’s a clock curve that every technology innovation goes through, and the blockchain is going to be part of the same curve.”
While blockchain technology has been hailed for decentralizing the Internet and removing intermediaries such as technology companies or banks, it has also been studied for the energy-intensive process it uses. Williams says he believes the problem will eventually be solved.
“Innovation will continue to take place within the blockchain itself to help improve areas where the first versions of that technology somehow failed over time,” he said.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who is leaning into the role of “tech” mayor, attended the ceremony to cut the ribbon for the Atlanta Blockchain Center.
“I’m grateful for Marlon and what ABC is doing here,” Dickens said. “I understand that, and I understand that, but more importantly, I want to make sure it’s an ecosystem for you to have it and for you to continue to grow and advance your dreams through Atlanta’s technological ecosystem.”
