PRESS RELEASE: DeVOTE and Guardrail Technologies Unite to Reinvent Corporate Governance with Zero Knowledge Snarks, Blockchain and Ethical AI
December 16, 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – At the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024, DeVOTE, a revolutionary mobile voting platform with ZK proofs, and Guardrail Technologies, a leader in ethical AI innovation, announced a pioneering strategic trial partnership set to redefine corporate governance standards.
By integrating DeVOTE’s blockchain-secured voting infrastructure — designed to separate voter identity from voter affidavit — with Guardrail Technologies’ mission to “put people back in control of AI”, the partnership will give organizations cutting-edge tools for governance that prioritize security, transparency, and anonymity. Think of it as upgrading your company’s internal decision-making process from a map and compass to a top-of-the-range GPS: guided, precise, and always accountable, yet with privacy as a guaranteed passenger.
Shawnna Hoffman, President of Guardrail Technologies and a stakeholder in the UN IGF Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance and Security (DC BAS), is representing the Government Blockchain Association (GBA) at IGF Riyadh. Speaking on the potential of this collaboration, she remarked:
“Anonymity and accountability are not mutually exclusive—they’re complementary. DeVOTE’s platform offers a seamless blend of both, which is critical in governance. Together, DeVOTE and Guardrail Technologies are creating systems that not only uphold democratic principles but set new standards for ethical decision-making in organizations.”
DeVOTE: Ensuring Security, Transparency, and Anonymity
DeVOTE isn’t just another digital voting platform; it’s a governance game-changer. Built on blockchain technology, DeVOTE separates voter identity from their affidavit, ensuring that decisions remain secure, transparent, and anonymous.
Key features of DeVOTE include:
● Anonymity through Affidavit Separation: Voters’ identities and votes are stored separately, ensuring privacy while maintaining auditability.
● Mobile-first accessibility: Anyone with a smartphone can securely cast their vote, no matter where they are.
● Immutable transparency: Blockchain ensures votes are tamper-proof and fully auditable without exposing individual voter data.
● Scalability: DeVOTE is designed to accommodate governance structures of all sizes, from corporate boards to global non-profits.
“Governance in the digital age shouldn’t feel like airing your laundry—clean or otherwise,” said Eugene Morozov, CEO and Founder of DeVOTE, also representing GBA at IGF in Riyadh. “Anonymity isn’t just a feature; it’s a necessity. With DeVOTE, organizations don’t have to compromise privacy to achieve accountability, they can count the votes, not the voters, as we say!”
The platform’s design directly supports the goals of UN SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which emphasizes building resilient, inclusive, and innovative digital systems. DeVOTE bridges the gap between privacy, trust, and inclusion in governance systems, helping organizations modernize decision-making processes without sacrificing fundamental principles.
Guardrail Technologies: A Human-Centered Approach to AI
Guardrail Technologies’ mission to “bring human intelligence into the loop” aligns seamlessly with DeVOTE’s commitment to privacy and accountability. Focused on ensuring ethical AI practices, Guardrail Technologies helps organizations integrate advanced technologies that enhance decision-making while maintaining trust and transparency.
Through this partnership, Guardrail Technologies will trial DeVOTE’s platform with its corporate clients, offering organizations the tools to modernize governance systems without compromising voter anonymity or data security. Together, they aim to provide a governance ecosystem that is smarter, fairer, and more secure.
“As AI and technology reshape governance systems, privacy can’t be the casualty,” said Shawnna Hoffman. “With DeVOTE’s innovative approach to anonymity, we’re empowering decision-makers with systems that are trustworthy by design. Because when it comes to governance, transparency isn’t about shining a spotlight on everything—it’s about ensuring every decision is above board, even in the dark.”
Expanding DeVOTE’s U.S. Presence
This collaboration with Guardrail Technologies marks DeVOTE’s second major U.S. partnership, following agreements with STEM Practice Company. Anbother one, with Vantiq.com is expected in early 2025. Together, these partnerships are introducing DeVOTE’s secure, anonymous, and scalable solutions to a broader audience in corporate, non-profit, and government sectors.
“Partnerships like these aren’t just about technology—they’re about building trust in systems that guide decision-making,” said Eugene Morozov. “With Guardrail Tech, we’re offering organizations a way to strengthen their governance processes while safeguarding the principles of privacy and accountability.”
Showcasing Innovation at IGF Riyadh 2024
This transformative partnership announcement is a feature at IGF Riyadh 2024, a global forum dedicated to shaping the future of governance in the digital era. Attendees are invited to connect with representatives from both organizations to learn more about their technologies and explore opportunities to integrate these innovations into their governance systems.
About DeVOTE
DeVOTE is a mobile-based remote voting platform that ensures security, transparency, and anonymity by separating voter affidavits from voter identities. Powered by bleeding-edge blockchain technology, DeVOTE offers scalable, auditable, and secure decision-making solutions utilizing Zero Knowledge Snarks for organizations worldwide. Learn more at www.devoteusa.com.
Contact information:
Eugene Morozov, CPA, MS
CEO of DeVOTE DAO LLC
me@devoteusa.com
About Guardrail Tech
Guardrail Technologies™ created Guardrail for Generative AI™, a suite of software solutions to put organizations, businesses, governments, and individuals in control of their use of Generative AI™. The Guardrail Suite for Generative AI is a robust collection of intuitive tools that help identify sources of content, get a handle on prompts, and put controls around your data to mitigate key risks. These tools keep generative AI safe, responsible, and transparent. Sunscreen™ Guardrail for Safe Video Conferencing prevents data from being shared that an individual, family, corporate employee, or an employer does not intend to share by simply hiding it. Guardrail Consulting for Responsible AI offers a range of consulting services including the assessment, audit, and implementation of Responsible Technology, AI and Data. Guardrail Technologies™ puts people back in control of AI by bringing human intelligence into the loop. Guardrail Technologies™ enables efficiency and revenue gains through AI plus human intelligence.
Company President Shawnna Hoffman states, “Guardrail is the culmination of a lifetime career of work in the AI sector. As a woman owed business, I’m proud to lead a team of passionate and experienced professionals to operationalize Responsible AI. Global regulatory bodies are racing to require it, Guardrail Technologies provides it.”
Guardrail Technologies Inc. is a privately woman owned corporation with headquarters in Park City, Utah. It provides Responsible AI products and consultation. Following the public introduction of generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and many others. The company brought technologists, investors, executives, AI engineers, and developers together to address the risks and optimize the benefits. The company’s sales force spans the globe and has been met with vigorous customer engagement and receptivity in a short period of time.
Contact Information:
Shawnna Hoffman
President
shawnna.hoffman@guardrail.tech
+1(407)274-0808
