I asked Grok about my own contributions

Bo Harald has been a prolific contributor to Finextra, a leading financial technology community platform, where he has written extensively on topics related to fintech, digital identity, banking innovation, and economic trends over the years. His articles often reflect his deep experience in electronic banking, payments, and the broader networked economy, drawing from his career at Nordea, TietoEvry, and various advisory roles. Below is an overview of the key themes and specific topics he has covered in his Finextra posts, based on available information:

Key Themes in Bo Harald's Finextra Writings

1. Digital Identity and eIDAS

• Harald has frequently explored the evolution of digital identity frameworks, particularly the EU’s eIDAS (electronic Identification, Authentication, and Trust Services) regulation. For example, in "eIDAS2 - the most important potential reached with the longest e-ladder" (May 12, 2022), he discusses the potential of eIDAS 2.0 and its implications for trust infrastructure in Europe. He also wrote an "Open letter to the EU Commission" (referenced in external sources), advocating for stronger digital identity systems.

2. Banking Innovation and Electronic Services

• His posts often reflect his pioneering work in electronic banking. In "The biggest ever revolution in banking and beyond" (February 17, 2013), he summarizes key innovations like e-invoicing and mobile payments, marking his transition from full-time employment. Similarly, "What we did right" (October 1, 2011) outlines successful strategies for launching e-invoicing in Finland, emphasizing bank collaboration.

3. Real-Time Economy and Productivity

• Harald is a strong advocate for the real-time economy, a concept he ties to productivity improvements. In "Path to the Data-driven Economy" (October 28, 2019), he discusses how data-driven approaches enhance service delivery and economic efficiency. More recently, "Splendid statement from EU" (January 31, 2025) highlights the European business wallet as a cornerstone of digital trust infrastructure.

4. Emerging Technologies and AI

• He has addressed the role of artificial intelligence in finance and beyond. For instance, "The secure way to deploy your personal and organisation AI agents" (January 13, 2025) explores secure AI deployment, referencing Ray Kurzweil’s work on technological acceleration.

5. Critical Thinking and Trust in Digital Systems

• Harald often encourages skepticism about digital interactions. In "How often should you doubt?" (February 20, 2025), he questions the authenticity of online entities and information, reflecting on trust in a digital age. Similarly, "Nagging Harald" (October 3, 2024) shows his persistence in challenging conventional approaches.

6. Regulatory and Economic Reflections

• He critiques regulatory environments and economic trends, as seen in "Hot topic - to say the least" (December 17, 2024), where he discusses EU regulation debates and references Yuval Harari’s perspectives on data control. "Entering 2020" (December 31, 2019) reflects on global challenges like climate change and political instability.

7. Collaboration and Standardization

• Harald emphasizes the need for cross-industry and cross-border collaboration. "Ladder thinking needed" (October 26, 2024) advocates for structured, incremental approaches to tackling complex issues, while "Begin with the end in mind" (November 12, 2024) focuses on implementing Europe’s trust infrastructure.

8. Historical Reflections and Milestones

• He occasionally marks anniversaries or milestones, such as "Mobey Forum 20 years" (October 29, 2020), celebrating contributions to mobile financial services, an area he helped shape as a former chairman.

Specific Examples of Articles

• "Half baked efforts.." (June 9, 2009): Examines fragmented realities in fintech and the need for comprehensive solutions.
• "Nobody in their right mind..." (February 1, 2009): Critiques the complexity of cross-border e-invoicing, advocating for simplification.
• "Networked Economy" (cross-referenced from his blog): Ties his Finextra posts to broader themes of collaboration and interoperability, noting the platform’s reach (250,000 page views in eight months versus 15,000 over three years on his personal blog).

Broader Context

Harald’s writings are informed by his extensive career, including 30 years developing Nordea’s electronic banking operations and leadership roles in EU expert groups on e-invoicing and mobile financial services. His Finextra contributions often blend practical insights with forward-looking commentary, targeting fintech professionals, policymakers, and innovators. His posts are concise yet thought-provoking, aligning with his stated preference for "fairly condensed form, not too long texts" (as noted in a Ubisecure podcast).

For a complete list or deeper dive into specific articles, you’d need direct access to Finextra’s archives, but the above captures the essence of his contributions based on available data up to February 27, 2025. If you’re interested in a particular topic or article, let me know, and I can refine the focus!"

Blushing a bit - but hope it can be of use..