Why Identity is the Anchor of the New Digital Frontier
Globally we are at a pivotal junction in our technological journey as we move beyond generative models that "chat", to those that “create”. In an Agentic AI world we’re moving to autonomous systems capable of reasoning, making decisions, and acting on our behalf - this is a shift that will redefine the digital ecosystem.
From instant financial onboarding and personalised healthcare, to on-demand insurance and seamless government interactions. These agents promise a level of efficiency and inclusivity previously thought impossible. However, to unlock these opportunities at scale, we must address a fundamental challenge because now identity is the new frontline of cybersecurity.
At SQR, we believe that for Agentic AI to succeed, there needs to be a chain of trust. Agents must know that they are acting on behalf of a real human, and for reliance, organisations must know that the real human gave a specific instruction for action at a specific time and date. Immutable and auditable. Without this "human anchor", the very systems designed to help us could become conduits for unprecedented fraud and privacy erosion.
The Opportunity: Ease and Efficiency
The most significant opportunities for Agentic AI lie in sectors where high-friction processes currently hinder growth:
Financial Services and Fintech: An AI agent that doesn't just show you mortgage rates, but with your permission gathers your verified attributes, negotiates with lenders, and completes the application in seconds. This moves us from "open banking" to "actionable banking."
Government and Public Services: Agentic AI can help citizens navigate complex support systems, acting as a concierge that can securely verify a user’s eligibility without the need to manually submit the same documents to multiple departments.
Regulated Industries: In sectors like gaming or professional services, AI agents can provide continuous compliance monitoring, ensuring that "know your customer" (KYC) checks are a living, adaptive process.
The Levers: Overcoming the Barriers to Deployment
While the potential is vast, responsible deployment at scale requires us to pull three critical levers:
1. "Privacy by design" and interoperability
Agentic AI requires data to be useful, but the old model of "handing over sensitive information" is a security nightmare. We need a framework built on data minimisation - digital infrastructure that allows users to share only the "verified attributes" required, not the documents itself. It needs a secure token that proves it has been granted limited authority by a verified human. This ensures that even in an autonomous world, the human remains in control.
2. Building a culture of provenance
Organisations must treat identity as a custodian of trust. Businesses must invest in authentication systems that can distinguish between a human, an authorised AI agent, and a malicious deepfake. By adopting technologies that bridge the "authentication gap," such as biometric liveness detection, organisations can protect themselves against identity-driven attacks at AI speeds.
3. A statutory foundation for trust
Technology moves fast, but trust requires a steady hand. The UK has taken a landmark step with the Data Use and Access (DUA) Act, providing a statutory foundation for Digital Verification Services (DVS). This creates the "rules of the road", encouraging the adoption of certified frameworks like the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF). When AI agents operate within a regulated, certified ecosystem, everyone can interact with confidence. Crucially, this trust extends far beyond domestic borders. By aligning with global standards and international frameworks, like the EU’s updated EIDAS2 regulation, foundational ISO/IEC standards, and emerging mDL (mobile driving licence) protocols, the legislation helps cross-border interoperability. This technical synergy enables certified digital credentials to be securely recognised across jurisdictions, establishing a borderless foundation of digital trust.
The Human Element in an Autonomous World
As we discuss "agents" and "autonomous systems," it is easy to lose sight of the person at the centre. At SQR, our mission has always been to ensure that your identity belongs to you.
SQR CEO, Shelley Langan-Newton, sums up its approach:
"Our goal is to make secure identity proofing as intuitive as a handshake. We envision a world where an AI agent can securely act on your behalf because it is rooted in a verified 'human anchor'. By handling the complexities of trusted verification, we are empowering people to navigate a digital world with total confidence, ensuring innovation is always secure, inclusive, and human-centric."
Shelley Langan-Newton
SQR
As we all lead the development and commercialisation of these transformative technologies, our collective goal should be to ensure that innovation never comes at the cost of security. By positioning identity as the cornerstone of trust, we protect our digital economy and empower every individual to navigate the AI-driven future with confidence.
While Agentic AI provides the spark for digital transformation, verified identity remains the key that ensures only the right doors are opened. Together, we can build a future where technology works for everyone, safely and transparently.
SQR is a leading provider of intelligent identity infrastructure. We are certified against the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF) and committed to building a secure, efficient, and inclusive world through trusted digital identity verification. Find out more at sqr.id.
SQR
SQR
Digital Identity programme activities
Digital identities will provide a gateway for citizens and SMEs into the digital economy. techUK members demonstrate the benefits of digital identity to emerging markets, raise their profile as thought leaders, influence policy outcomes, and strengthen their relationships with potential clients and decision-makers. Visit the programme page here.
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Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work. This includes work programmes on AI, Cloud, Data, Quantum, Semiconductors, Digital ID and Digital ethics as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List. She has also been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the tech agenda in the UK, in December 2025 Sue was appointed to the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce by the Technology Secretary of State. She also sits on the UK Government’s Smart Data Council, Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, Bank of England’s AI Consortium and BSI’s Digital Strategic Advisory Group. Previously, Sue was a member of the Independent Future of Compute Review and co-chaired the National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries in 2020, Sue has been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and has been a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI, the UK Tech 50 and annual UK Cloud Awards. She is a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015, Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. Before that, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on Semiconductors and Digital ID.
He previously worked at an advocacy group for tech startups, with a regional focus on Wales. This involved policy research on innovation, skills and access to finance.
Elis has a Degree in History, and a Masters in Politics and International Relations from the University of Winchester, with a focus on the digitalisation and gamification of armed conflicts.
This morning, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Peter Kyle, announced the publication of two new Responsible Technology Adoption Unit (RTA) products at the Financial Times Future of AI Summit.
