Web1 Democratised Information. This Democratises Money | Alex Tapscott

Alex Tapscott on why AI and blockchain are not separate stories, and what access to dollars means where it is not a given. Book Ian for your event → iankhan.com | booking@iankhan.com SUMMARY Alex Tapscott of the Blockchain Research Institute argues that blockchain, AI and adjacent technologies are on a convergence course rather than running in parallel. He covers what dollar access means outside wealthy economies, and what the presence of AWS and Google on the exhibition floor signals. KEY FINDINGS • Blockchain and AI as convergent rather than separate technologies • Moving from retrieving information to thinking machines • Access to dollars as a given in some countries and impossible in others • Web1 democratised information; this democratises value • AWS and Google present on the floor as a signal of enterprise intent • US regulatory tone shifting on digital assets • The future as something to be built rather than predicted GUEST Alex Tapscott, Blockchain Research Institute FULL TRANSCRIPT iankhan.com/futurist/alex-tapscott-blockchain-ai-convergence Recorded at Consensus 2025 for The Futurist. ──────────────────── ABOUT IAN KHAN — AI & FINANCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER Most AI keynotes end with a better understanding. Mine end with a measured readiness score and a ninety-day plan. Your leadership team is assessed before the event, the room sees its own collective result live, and every attendee leaves with a ninety-day plan they helped build. Every year I interview more than 500 seni