Trent Chancellor Dr. Don Tapscott '66 Shares Vast, Transformative Power of Blockchain Technology
Chancellor Lecture Series at Trent University Durham-GTA probes Internet's second generation
Consider an open, global platform where anyone can instantly send money around the globe without involvement from a bank or wire service. Through technology, built-in trust and a paradigm shift, the Blockchain can transform the Internet into a giant ledger, documenting and verifying many aspects of life from voting, to intellectual property, to stocks and the transfer of money.
As part of the Chancellor Lecture Series held at Trent University Durham-GTA on November 22, Dr. Tapscott, chancellor of Trent University, delivered key insights from his latest book, Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money, Business, and the World,
co-authored with his son Alex.
“We’re explaining a big new development,” Dr. Tapscott told the crowd. “That’s the rise of the second generation of the Internet. Now we are about to get the Internet of value. That is going to change business. It’s going to change everything else too.”
“I feel this is an appropriate and timely topic for this school. It holds a lot of promise if we can understand it,” said Dr. Tapscott.
Widely known as one of the world’s leading authorities on innovation, media, and the economic and social impact of technology, Dr. Tapscott collaborates with heads of state, is a best-selling author, a member of the Order of Canada, and a Trent alumnus.
The full-access forum welcomed the Trent community, general public and local dignitaries, including Oshawa Mayor John Henry.
Joshua Jones is a third-year Business Administration and Philosophy student. As an entrepreneur he is interested in the next big wave of business. Having previously watched Dr. Tapscott deliver a TED Talk, he came to the lecture to understand the technology and explore future opportunities.
“To see someone so successful, one of the top business advisors in the world, and a Trent graduate is very inspiring,” said Mr. Jones. “It makes me think I made the right choice and that Trent had something to do with the way he thinks. Perhaps it can offer that to me as well.”