Trust, Power, and the Age of AI: South Carolina Enters the Arena

South Carolina to Host Landmark Digital Economic Freedom Forum on March 2, Uniting Tech and Policy Leaders

February 7, 2026 -- Columbia, S.C.-- The South Carolina Emerging Tech Association (SCETA) will host the South Carolina Digital Economic Freedom Forum on March 2, 2026, at Stone River in West Columbia, bringing together state leaders, technologists, and industry experts to explore how artificial intelligence, digital assets, and economic freedom converge.

The South Carolina Digital Economic Freedom arrives at a pivotal moment. AI is becoming essential infrastructure, digital assets are transforming financial markets, and policymakers face high-stakes decisions about regulation, competitiveness, and trust. With this in mind, the Forum will focus on where AI, money, and freedom collide - and on the practical decisions being made today that will shape economic opportunity and individual rights for years to come.

“This Forum asks a simple question,” said Dennis Fassuliotis, President of SCETA. “As AI and digital finance grow, how do we use them in ways that protect freedom, build trust, and support long-term economic growth for everyone?”

“We are bringing leaders together to make sure these tools increase freedom, protect privacy, and create real economic opportunity - not confusion or control.”

The Forum’s keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Scott Stornetta, co-inventor of blockchain timestamping technology. His address, “Trust, Time, and Truth in the Age of AI,” will explore why verifiable time, immutability, and auditability are becoming essential as AI systems grow more autonomous and economically significant.

Stornetta stated, “I am grateful to SCETA for bringing people together across South Carolina to have real, practical conversations about AI and digital assets. These technologies open the door to enormous economic opportunities, and forums like this matter because they help us figure out how to move forward thoughtfully - maximizing the upside while being honest about the disruption that comes with it.”

Meet our Keynote Speaker, Dr. W. Scott Stornetta

Stornetta emphasized, “At the core, this is really about trust - how we build systems people can count on as AI takes on a bigger role and digital assets become part of everyday economic life. I am excited to talk with leaders who are thinking carefully about how these technologies can be used in ways that are open, reliable, and grounded in real human needs."

Panels will focus on digital asset innovation, AI governance, workforce readiness, infrastructure requirements, and how states are regulating digital assets. The South Carolina State Treasurer, Curtis M. Loftis, has confirmed participation in the Forum’s opening session.

Frank Speiser, CEO of Metafide, and speaker at the Forum explained, "South Carolina has a tremendous opportunity to enhance and extend the industries that have long powered its economy. While manufacturing has driven growth for decades, the future belongs to states that embrace technology, top-tier talent, and capital formation. Strengthening and augmenting our existing sectors is essential to attract innovators and entrepreneurs who are shaping the next generation of financial and digital infrastructure.”

Speiser continued, “I am committed to supporting initiatives in South Carolina that build on our strengths while fostering transparency, trust, and economic freedom. The South Carolina Digital Economic Freedom Forum embodies exactly what this moment requires — bold ideas and leadership at the intersection of AI, money, and decentralized security."

The Forum will be followed on March 3, 2026, by a special hearing and Legislative Education Session at the South Carolina State House, which is open to the public. The session will provide an educational overview of artificial intelligence governance, blockchain infrastructure, and their implications for state policy.