Delegated authorization is emerging as a foundational capability for enabling trusted digital relationships—whether between people, organizations, or intelligent agents. At its core, it’s not just about “delegation” but about defining, expressing, and enabling authorization within the context of a relationship. From guardianship and customer care to enterprise workflows and Agentic AI, delegated authorization unlocks the ability to act on behalf of others safely, transparently, and with appropriate consent.

This talk explores how relationship-based authorization is evolving across industries and standards communities. We’ll examine what’s working, where key gaps remain, and how emerging patterns—such as contextual delegation and relationship-bound credentials—can improve both usability and privacy. As identity ecosystems become more automated and interconnected, robust models for delegated authorization will be essential to maintaining trust and control across all types of relationships.