There is more and more really good information coming out about knowledge graphs, artificial intelligence, distributed ledgers, and all the "stuff" that enables the creation of things like a Universal Digital Financial Reporting Framework.
This PowerPoint, Understanding the Role of XBRL, is my brainstorming related to explaining the role XBRL plays in all this. Fundamentally, XBRL is (can be when used correctly) a super-safe and very powerful and appropriately flexible knowledge graph which can be used to represent a general purpose financial report in both human-readable form and machine-readable form. This graphic from Deloitte Germany (which I modified slightly) helps you understand:
XBRL is used to represent the "stuff" in the center. Flip through the slides for a better explanation. A video is on the way. Working through the current tangle of terminology can set you on the right path. Search my blog for more information about knowledge graphs.
Think supercharged AI.