Digital anthropologist Margie Cheesman's research paper published on Aug. 13 concluded that blockchain often fails to enhance humanitarian projects and is primarily used as a fundraising tool. Cheesman studied a blockchain humanitarian project from May 2018 to December 2019, finding minimal project benefits with added costs. The project, known as 'Cash4Work,' operated in Jordan's refugee camps, aiming to provide cash assistance in exchange for work. Despite claims of blockchain revolutionizing aid efforts, the reality was different. The technology was viewed as a magic solution with unclear benefits, leading to confusion and inefficiencies. While blockchain reduced transaction fees, it also created new challenges and hindered aid distribution. Cheesman highlighted the reliance on ignorance and misdirection to maintain funding, ultimately questioning the true impact of blockchain in humanitarian initiatives. Read more AI-generated news on: https://app.chaingpt.org/news