The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) has given crypto industry enthusiasts and tech professionals a behind-the-scenes look into the blockchain world through the latest episode of its podcast: OPIT EDGE. The episode involves an interview with Kalidou Diagne, a senior frontend engineer at one of the biggest organizations in the industry, the Ethereum Foundation.

Quick Summary

• The latest episode of the OPIT EDGE podcast involved an interview with Kalidou Diagne.
• Diagne is a senior frontend engineer with the Ethereum Foundation.
• During the podcast, Diagne discussed his transition to Web3.
• He highlighted the importance of independent learning and a focus on practical problem-solving.
• He discussed big crypto trends, like a growing focus on privacy and Zero Knowledge architecture.

Introducing OPIT EDGE

OPIT EDGE is a student-driven podcast project from the Open Institute of Technology. It’s oriented around the tech industry, with episodes exploring the technological world from various perspectives, providing intriguing insights and advice to students and graduates alike. Each episode features a special guest from a specific field, like quantum AI, big data, or, in this case, Web3.

Episode 4: Inside the Ethereum Foundation – How to Break into Web3

The fourth episode of the OPIT EDGE podcast is entitled “Inside the Ethereum Foundation – How to Break into Web3.” It features the podcast’s host, Levi Mandji, sitting down with Kalidou Diagne, architect at the Ethereum Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the Ethereum ecosystem via research, project funding, and protocol development.

As the title indicates, the episode largely revolved around Diagne sharing his journey as he progressed from conventional software development into the Web3 ecosystem. He touched on several topics during his discussion with the host, including his views on education, advice for those who wish to follow a similar path, and interesting industry trends related to crypto and blockchain.

Here’s a closer look at some of the main talking points from this episode.

Web2 vs. Web3

Before discussing his work in Web3 in detail, Diagne explains how Web2 and Web3 actually differ. He explained how Web2 is the centralized internet that is largely dominated by big tech corporations, such as Meta, Google, etc. With Web2, users effectively trade data for services, entering their email addresses or phone numbers to create profiles on platforms like Facebook, for example.

He notes that arguably the biggest difference with Web3 is how it has a completely different power dynamic. Instead of central authorities like Google holding the power, Web3 is built around open-source code and peer-to-peer protocols. He explained that this also makes Web3 development and engineering completely different from working with Web2.

Diagne’s Transition

Given the vast differences between Web2 and Web3, it can be difficult even for experienced developers and engineers to move from one ecosystem to the other. They may struggle to adapt to the unique elements of Web3 that simply don’t exist in Web2, and vice versa. Diagne, however, was able to make that transition and explained how he did so during the interview.

He discussed how he took his transition into his own hands by actively contributing to open-source projects on GitHub. He would also seek out projects with bugs or other problems that needed solving and apply his skill set to provide solutions. This helped him gain valuable practical experience with Web3, and it even led to his first job offer from a U.S. company working with NFTs.

Self-Learning Mindset

Diagne emphasized the importance of a “self-learning mindset,” a proactive, growth-oriented approach to education. People with this kind of mindset are naturally curious and eager to improve their skills, gaining personal knowledge not just through books or lectures, but through putting their skills to the test on real-world projects and problems.

Diagne explained how, over the course of approximately six months, he would work on GitHub projects, watch YouTube videos to learn more about Web3, and go as deep into the field as he could. He saw challenges as opportunities to learn, and always sought to test himself; even if he encountered problems or wrote code that didn’t work the first time around, he’d work hard to perfect it.

Degrees vs. Skills

In many ways, Diagne is an autodidact. He explained that he began educating himself about development in his free time during high school. Upon leaving school, he had a choice: go to university or enter the working world. He decided to go directly to work, concerned that if he spent several years on a degree, the technology would evolve so quickly that much of his knowledge could be irrelevant.

So, he honed his skills over time, through trial and error. With that said, he still underscored the importance of education in general, noting that while some companies prize skills and experience, others will only offer roles to those with qualifications. He added that, while the self-study approach worked for him, others may find higher education a much better option to gain the skills they need.

AI-Assisted Coding

Diagne also took a moment to touch on the topic of AI-assisted coding, otherwise known as “vibe coding,” and tied this into a larger discussion of how AI is changing the face of the tech world today. He shared his belief that AI will “revolutionize” most industries, but also warned students and aspiring developers against becoming overly reliant on it.

He highlighted an example in which an app was created via vibe coding, but had a major issue in its backend, which led to users’ private data being leaked. Diagne cautioned that AI-assisted coding can be useful for the basics, but urged those wishing to work in technology to make sure they have their own coding skills and not to simply expect AI to write all their code for them.

The Ethereum Foundation and Crypto Trends

Diagne also shared insights into working in the heart of the crypto industry as part of the prestigious Ethereum Foundation. He mentioned a few of the big trends shaping the industry at the moment, including:

• Privacy: Diagne explained that privacy is a top priority for many organizations in the Web3 world right now, adding that they are experimenting with new ways to keep data private without compromising the security of Web3 tools and services.
• Zero Knowledge: He added that “Zero-Knowledge” technology is becoming a bigger part of the industry, too. This revolves around special cryptographic techniques used to verify statements without relying on potentially personal or sensitive information in the process.

Advice for Aspiring Developers

When asked to share what advice he’d give to someone wishing to break into the Web3 world, Diagne stated that they should not simply fixate on learning, but actually put their knowledge to the test. He recommended that aspiring developers actually try to replicate the things they learn, build their own projects, and implement skills on a regular basis.

In addition, he strongly encouraged students to keep up to date with new trends and technologies as they emerge. He recommended following tech news and blogs so that they don’t get left behind, which is so important right now as the tech world evolves at an increasingly rapid rate.

How OPIT Can Help Aspiring Web3 Developers

OPIT’s unique brand of technological education aligns cohesively with Diagne’s advice, as the institute focuses on giving students practical skills and knowledge they can apply to solve real-world problems. It’s not just about reading books and memorizing statistics; OPIT goes further, helping students get ready to embark on technological careers with confidence and valuable skill sets.

The institute offers several courses geared towards those who wish to work in Web3, from introductory courses like the Foundation Program through to master’s degrees, like the MSc in Digital Business and Innovation. Learn more on the OPIT website, or submit your application online today.

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) offers an array of master’s degree courses aimed at the digital business leaders and innovators of tomorrow. This includes the OPIT MSc in Digital Business and Innovation, the perfect course for those seeking to sharpen their skills and deepen their knowledge before moving into high-profile roles, such as digital business analysis or possibly launching their own firms.

Introducing the OPIT MSc in Digital Business and Innovation

The OPIT MSc in Digital Business and Innovation is a master’s degree program aimed at equipping ambitious students with the skills they need to thrive in the dynamic digital economy of the 21st century. Combining both practical skills and foundational knowledge over the course of three terms, it prepares graduates for prosperous professional lives and leading roles in digital business.

Like the other courses offered at OPIT, the MSc in Digital Business and Innovation is delivered exclusively online, allowing students to apply and enjoy the same high levels of instruction, no matter their location. Students can access an array of informative educational resources at any stage to study at a pace that best suits their needs, while also attending live lectures provided by tech leaders and specialists.

Once students complete the course, which culminates in a capstone project and dissertation, numerous professional doors will now be open to them. They’ll be fully equipped to launch their own digital brands or pursue careers in roles such as corporate innovation management, digital marketing management, or digital entrepreneurship.

The following bullet points provide a brief breakdown of what applicants can expect:

• Duration: Three or four terms, typically spread over the course of one year.
• Content: Advanced-level instruction on topics such as digital marketing, digital business foundations, entrepreneurship, digital product management, and the value of emerging technologies, such as AI, for innovation.
• Focus: Acquiring the relevant skills and hands-on knowledge to become a digital business leader, taking on leadership or management roles at digital organizations post-graduation.
• Format: Exclusively online, with a mixture of pre-recorded content (which you can access anytime) and scheduled live lectures.
• Assessment: A progressive system of assessment to measure your understanding over the course of the program, along with a final capstone project and dissertation, but no final exams.

What You’ll Learn

Students of the MSc in Digital Business and Innovation will have the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of various digital business-oriented topics over the course of the program. The first term, for example, focuses on foundational knowledge of data science, AI, business models, and project management.

The second term moves on to explore digital business strategy, looking at topics like digital finance, entrepreneurship, and digital product management. Finally, the third term is all about executing the ideas gained up to that point, with students tasked with completing a capstone project and dissertation based on a real-world case study.

Throughout the program, students will enjoy learning from proven professionals, researchers, and tech experts such as Harvard Business Review Course Director Francesco Derchi and McGill University Lead Instructor Paco Awissi. OPIT’s instruction also prioritizes practical, hands-on knowledge, so everything you learn will have real-world value and relevance.

Who It’s For

The MSc in Digital Business and Innovation program is aimed at those who have already obtained a BSc in a relevant field, like graduates of OPIT’s own BSc in Digital Business. Its content is suitable for those with ambitions of becoming digital business leaders and can also appeal to experienced professionals looking to take the next step in their education or even pursue a career transition.

Numerous prestigious, high-salary roles will open up to graduates of this course, including digital business strategist, digital startup founder, digital intrapreneur, and digital transformation manager. What’s more, with OPIT’s world-leading networking opportunities, supportive faculty, and strong business connections, it’s remarkably straightforward to transition into your chosen career following graduation.

The Value of the MSc in Digital Business and Innovation Course at OPIT

OPIT is far from the only institution that offers an MSc in Digital Business and Innovation, but several elements make studying at OPIT a uniquely advantageous choice. These include:

• Online Education: The OPIT MSc in Digital Business and Innovation is delivered entirely online. This means that students from all over the globe are eligible to apply, with no physical or geographical barriers to realizing their educational dreams. It also means that studying with OPIT is simpler, more convenient, and more cost-effective than conventional studies, too.
• Hands-On Focus: Many conventional educational courses still dedicate large amounts of time or even entire terms to content that has little to no practical value in the real world. OPIT does things differently. All of its courses are designed with real-world value in mind, so everything you learn will be something you can take forward into your career to help you succeed.
• Strong Support: Students at OPIT never need to feel left out, behind, or alone. A helping hand is never far away, as you can always reach out to fellow members of the OPIT community, contact your professors, or partake in communal study groups, as and when you feel the need. OPIT also offers an AI chatbot for personalized study support and helpful events, like career fairs.

Entry Requirements and Fees

OPIT aims to make top-tier tech education accessible to all who are passionate about technology and eager to play their part in the ongoing evolution of the digital business world. As such, entry requirements – even for a master’s course such as this – are reasonably relaxed (although candidates should display some level of competency with the subject). Applicants don’t necessarily need to have extensive knowledge or experience in digital business.

Instead, they will simply need to ensure they meet the following criteria:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline
• Have English proficiency at level B2 or higher
• Be passionate about technology and willing to learn

OPIT also recognizes prior academic and professional achievements, such as relevant work experience or other master’s degrees you have already obtained. You may be able to use our credit transfer service to shorten your study time and obtain your MSc in Digital Business and Innovation even sooner.

Regarding fees, the entire course has a standard price of €6,750. You can pay the entire fee upfront or elect to pay a portion of the total cost on a term-by-term basis. Fees are all inclusive, so there are no hidden charges or extras to worry about, and OPIT offers scholarships and funding options to help you pay.

More business is being done online than ever before, and that upward trend is only set to continue in the years and generations to come. To get ahead of the game, many of the aspiring tech leaders of tomorrow are eager to master the art of digital business today, and the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is the perfect place to start, offering a BSc in Digital Business degree.

Introducing the OPIT BSc in Digital Business

The OPIT BSc in Digital Business is a Bachelor’s degree program combining conventional business acumen with digital and technological fluency. Aimed at empowering students with the skills and knowledge they need to start or grow their own digital businesses, this course covers topics like digital marketing and entrepreneurship, along with core IT fundamentals, like programming and data science.

As with OPIT’s other degrees and programs, the BSc in Digital Business is provided entirely online, making it accessible to students all over the world. They enjoy unrestricted, round-the-clock access to various learning materials, including pre-recorded lectures, to help them study at their own pace, while also following a schedule of live lectures from world-leading researchers and tech specialists.

Upon completion of the course, graduates will find a whole array of career pathways open to them. They could move into roles in the fields of digital marketing or digital business consultancy, for instance, or pursue a career as an IT business analyst, e-commerce manager, or growth marketer. They may, alternatively, choose to proceed with additional studies, like a master’s degree with OPIT.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the main features of this BSc degree:

• Duration: Three years, with six terms of study in total.
• Content: Courses focused on the topics of digital business management and computer science, with the option to specialize in the fifth term. The sixth term revolves around a capstone project and dissertation, with internship opportunities also available for hands-on experience.
• Focus: Gaining practical knowledge and skills required to set up, run, manage, promote, and grow businesses online.
• Format: Entirely online, involving a combination of live lessons and asynchronous educational content, accessible at any time.
• Assessment: No final exams, with students instead having to complete a series of progressive assessments over the course of their studies, plus a final project and dissertation.

What You’ll Learn

Those enrolled in the BSc in Digital Business program at OPIT will learn the numerous skills they need to construct a successful career for themselves in this increasingly important sector. That includes foundational computer science skills related to web development and emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), as well as business-oriented skills, like digital marketing and project management.

These mandatory topics are spread out over the first four terms. For the fifth term, students will continue to take some compulsory courses related to digital business, but also have the option to select their own electives. This gives them the chance to specialize in subjects that interest them most or align with their professional goals, like cybersecurity and advanced digital marketing.

No matter which electives you opt for, you’ll enjoy the unique benefits of learning under some of the world’s top academic leaders, like ESCP Europe Researcher Chloé Ipert or Harvard Business Review Course Director Francesco Derchi. Plus, with OPIT’s focus on hands-on learning, you won’t simply be tasked with reading books and memorizing facts, but learning practical skills to take into the real-world.

Who It’s For

The BSc in Digital Business program is a fine choice for a wide array of students. Recent high school graduates who understand and appreciate the rising importance of technology in the business world, for example, may be eager to enroll. So, too, will more mature, professional students seeking a career change, or tech specialists wanting to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their skill set.

Whether you have aspirations of working as a corporate innovation strategist, digital product specialist, or digital transformation consultant, this course can work for you. It also opens the doors to countless other career paths, many of which have high levels of demand and impressive salary expectations, as well, even for entry-level employees.

The Value of the BSc in Digital Business Course at OPIT

Tech enthusiasts have plenty of options to choose from when seeking higher education in digital business, but OPIT’s BSc stands out from the crowd for several key reasons.

Firstly, this is an exclusively online course. That immediately differentiates it from so many others. Instead of having to worry about relocation and travel to and from a faculty, or keeping up with a fixed schedule that might not necessarily suit your favored way of learning, OPIT gives you freedom and flexibility. Its approach is accessible to all, regardless of their location, and puts students in charge of their own learning.

OPIT also sets itself apart from other, more conventional educational institutions by putting the spotlight firmly on practical knowledge and skills. It’s about giving students the hands-on experiences and useful information they need to take into their careers and succeed, rather than concentrating on data that may not actually serve them in any significant way. This, in turn, makes it easier to make the sometimes challenging transition out of education and into the professional world.

All students at OPIT also benefit from the institute’s numerous supportive systems, an exciting events calendar, and an array of helpful tools. From mentorship programs to communal study groups, no student ever needs to feel alone, and help is only ever a click away. With the OPIT AI Copilot, you can get personalized support on-demand. Meanwhile, career fairs and other big dates on the calendar mean there’s always something to look forward to.

Entry Requirements and Fees

If you’re intrigued by the idea of the OPIT BSc in Digital Business, you’ll likely want to know what you need to do to apply. Fortunately, as part of its campaign to make tech education more accessible, OPIT doesn’t impose overly strict or specific entry criteria on its applicants. Almost anyone can apply, as all you need are:

• A willingness to learn and a passion for technology and digital business
• A higher secondary school leaving certificate (EQF Level 4 or higher)
• A B2 level English certificate (or higher)

OPIT also offers a credit transfer program, so if you’ve already undertaken relevant education elsewhere, or if you have appropriate work experience, you can use that to streamline your study experience. You may be able to skip certain courses in which you’re already proficient, for example, or even omit entire terms to obtain your degree sooner.

As far as fees are concerned, OPIT offers a variety of flexible options to suit those on different budgets. You can opt to pay for your BSc all in one go, if you prefer, and enjoy a discount in the process. Or you can pay on a term-by-term basis. There are also scholarships available, plus early bird discounts for those applying in advance.

Source:

• Agenda Digitale, published on November 25th, 2025

In recent years, the word ” sustainability ” has become a firm fixture in the corporate lexicon. However, simply “doing no harm” is no longer enough: the climate crisis , social inequalities , and the erosion of natural resources require a change of pace. This is where the net-positive paradigm comes in , a model that isn’t content to simply reduce negative impacts, but aims to generate more social and environmental value than is consumed.

This isn’t about philanthropy, nor is it about reputational makeovers: net-positive is a strategic approach that intertwines economics, technology, and corporate culture. Within this framework, digitalization becomes an essential lever, capable of enabling regenerative models through circular platforms and exponential technologies.

Blockchain, AI, and IoT: The Technological Triad of Regeneration

Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things represent the technological triad that makes this paradigm shift possible. Each addresses a critical point in regeneration.

Blockchain guarantees the traceability of material flows and product life cycles, allowing a regenerated dress or a bottle collected at sea to tell their story in a transparent and verifiable way.

Artificial Intelligence optimizes recovery and redistribution chains, predicting supply and demand, reducing waste and improving the efficiency of circular processes .

Finally, IoT enables real-time monitoring, from sensors installed at recycling plants to sharing mobility platforms, returning granular data for quick, informed decisions.

These integrated technologies allow us to move beyond linear vision and enable systems in which value is continuously regenerated.

New business models: from product-as-a-service to incentive tokens

Digital regeneration is n’t limited to the technological dimension; it’s redefining business models. More and more companies are adopting product-as-a-service approaches , transforming goods into services: from technical clothing rentals to pay-per-use for industrial machinery. This approach reduces resource consumption and encourages modular design, designed for reuse.

At the same time, circular marketplaces create ecosystems where materials, components, and products find new life. No longer waste, but input for other production processes. The logic of scarcity is overturned in an economy of regenerated abundance.

To complete the picture, incentive tokens — digital tools that reward virtuous behavior, from collecting plastic from the sea to reusing used clothing — activate global communities and catalyze private capital for regeneration.

Measuring Impact: Integrated Metrics for Net-Positiveness

One of the main obstacles to the widespread adoption of net-positive models is the difficulty of measuring their impact. Traditional profit-focused accounting systems are not enough. They need to be combined with integrated metrics that combine ESG and ROI, such as impact-weighted accounting or innovative indicators like lifetime carbon savings.

In this way, companies can validate the scalability of their models and attract investors who are increasingly attentive to financial returns that go hand in hand with social and environmental returns.

Case studies: RePlanet Energy, RIFO, and Ogyre

Concrete examples demonstrate how the combination of circular platforms and exponential technologies can generate real value. RePlanet Energy has defined its Massive Transformative Purpose as “Enabling Regeneration” and is now providing sustainable energy to Nigerian schools and hospitals, thanks in part to transparent blockchain-based supply chains and the active contribution of employees. RIFO, a Tuscan circular fashion brand, regenerates textile waste into new clothing, supporting local artisans and promoting workplace inclusion, with transparency in the production process as a distinctive feature and driver of loyalty. Ogyre incentivizes fishermen to collect plastic during their fishing trips; the recovered material is digitally tracked and transformed into new products, while the global community participates through tokens and environmental compensation programs.

These cases demonstrate how regeneration and profitability are not contradictory, but can actually feed off each other, strengthening the competitiveness of businesses.

From Net Zero to Net Positive: The Role of Massive Transformative Purpose

The crucial point lies in the distinction between sustainability and regeneration. The former aims for net zero, that is, reducing the impact until it is completely neutralized. The latter goes further, aiming for a net positive, capable of giving back more than it consumes.

This shift in perspective requires a strong Massive Transformative Purpose: an inspiring and shared goal that guides strategic choices, preventing technology from becoming a sterile end. Without this level of intentionality, even the most advanced tools risk turning into gadgets with no impact.

Regenerating business also means regenerating skills to train a new generation of professionals capable not only of using technologies but also of directing them towards regenerative business models. From this perspective, training becomes the first step in a transformation that is simultaneously cultural, economic, and social.

The Regenerative Future: Technology, Skills, and Shared Value

Digital regeneration is not an abstract concept, but a concrete practice already being tested by companies in Europe and around the world. It’s an opportunity for businesses to redefine their role, moving from mere economic operators to drivers of net-positive value for society and the environment.

The combination of blockchain, AI, and IoT with circular product-as-a-service models, marketplaces, and incentive tokens can enable scalable and sustainable regenerative ecosystems. The future of business isn’t just measured in terms of margins, but in the ability to leave the world better than we found it.

• Agenda Digitale

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• Raconteur, published on November 06th, 2025

Many firms have conducted successful Artificial Intelligence (AI) pilot projects, but scaling them across departments and workflows remains a challenge. Inference costs, data silos, talent gaps and poor alignment with business strategy are just some of the issues that leave organisations trapped in pilot purgatory. This inability to scale successful experiments means AI’s potential for improving enterprise efficiency, decision-making and innovation isn’t fully realised. So what’s the solution?

Although it’s not a magic bullet, an AI operating model is really the foundation for scaling pilot projects up to enterprise-wide deployments. Essentially it’s a structured framework that defines how the organisation develops, deploys and governs AI. By bringing together infrastructure, data, people, and governance in a flexible and secure way, it ensures that AI delivers value at scale while remaining ethical and compliant.

“A successful AI proof-of-concept is like building a single race car that can go fast,” says Professor Yu Xiong, chair of business analytics at the UK-based Surrey Business School. “An efficient AI technology operations model, however, is the entire system – the processes, tools, and team structures – for continuously manufacturing, maintaining, and safely operating an entire fleet of cars.”

But while the importance of this framework is clear, how should enterprises establish and embed it?

“It begins with a clear strategy that defines objectives, desired outcomes, and measurable success criteria, such as model performance, bias detection, and regulatory compliance metrics,” says Professor Azadeh Haratiannezhadi, co-founder of generative AI company Taktify and professor of generative AI in cybersecurity at OPIT – the Open Institute of Technology.

Platforms, tools and MLOps pipelines that enable models to be deployed, monitored and scaled in a safe and efficient way are also essential in practical terms.

“Tools and infrastructure must also be selected with transparency, cost, and governance in mind,” says Efrain Ruh, continental chief technology officer for Europe at Digitate. “Crucially, organisations need to continuously monitor the evolving AI landscape and adapt their models to new capabilities and market offerings.”

• Raconteur