David Fergusson Co-author of the TransHuman Code Interview with Matt Bird at World Economic Forum | Traders Network Show – Davos, Switzerland
Contributed by: Show Editorial Team
David Fergusson, Co-author of the TransHuman Code interview with Matt Bird at World Economic Forum (Davos, Switzerland)
HIGHLIGHTS
– Co-author of First “Smart Book” ever invented
– NFC chip embedded in book to engage in online community
– Increasing concern with technology is trust & privacy
FULL COVERAGE
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS: David Fergusson, Co-author of the TransHuman Code with Matt Bird
Matt Bird (Show Host, Traders Network Show):00:00
Welcome back to the Traders Network Show broadcasting worldwide on Equities.com I’m Matt Bird. We’re in Davos, Switzerland covering the 2019 World Economic Forum and I’m here with co-author of the TransHuman Code, David Fergusson. David welcome to the show.
David Fergusson (Co-author, TransHuman Code): 00:14
Hey Matt, it’s great to be here with you.
Matt Bird (Show Host, Traders Network Show): 00:16
So, this book is the talk of Davos right now. What inspired you to craft such an amazing book?
David Fergusson (Co-author, TransHuman Code): 00:22
Well, in fact, the inspiration for this book began right here at Davos three years ago. This is my fifth year of being here. And for the first two I’ve been focused on the relationship between technology and the finance industries. You know, I work in investment banking, but it was a conversation together with Tim Berners-Lee and my co-author Carlos Moreira that really began the dialogue around talking to the trust factor that was becoming an increasing concern amongst those that were using technology. That’s, as you know the sourcing, shopping socializing so many of us have come to depend on the internet for is executed through codes that were created by other organizations. Names of which I don’t have to tell you.
Matt Bird (Show Host, Traders Network Show):00:50
No, I don’t think you have to, but I will say this. Many people here in Davos have read the short version of this and said you’ve preempted their code and the fundamental framework of their business model. How did you have the insight to get to that point?
David Fergusson (Co-author, TransHuman Code): 01:25
You know, I have, I have the great fortune in, in knowing many wise women and men across a broad range of industries. From, from my background, Carlos Moreira, my coauthor, is truly one of the pioneers of cybersecurity having established WiseKey in Geneva, Switzerland 20 years ago.
David Fergusson (Co-author, TransHuman Code):01:41
And it was really Carlos that that put cybersecurity on the agenda here for the world economic forum. And so that’s allowed us to really engage a broad number of people through this project. The collaborators and contributors to this initiative range from will.I. am. at one end of the spectrum to Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the worldwide web at the other. And what we all share in common is a desire to ensure that that humanity, that people stay at the center of gravity in their relationship with technology. So what we believe that we could do best with start a dialogue, start a conversation that developers of technology, financeers of technology and all users of technology, which is basically anybody who has a smartphone in their hand that they could engage in a dialogue around how we put people first.
Matt Bird (Show Host, Traders Network Show):02:36
I’d say getting back to Carlos, I had a chance to speak with Carlos and some of his work is pretty sensational. You know, he spent time at UNITAC and is a very smart individual. What’s next? So I’m holding one third. Is this, is that right?
David Fergusson (Co-author, TransHuman Code): 02:46
This is two thirds actually. So, the book will be a in store and online on June fourth.
Matt Bird (Show Host, Traders Network Show): 02:52
Where can people buy it?
David Fergusson (Co-author, TransHuman Code): 02:54
Well, they’ll be able to buy it at Barnes and Noble at, at Hudson anywhere, wherever books are sold. It’s received a very, very good response from the retail community. But, most importantly what we’ll go live when the book goes in store and goes online is the Transhuman Code community. And this will be the world’s first smart book. It will have an NFC chip embedded in it. You’ll be able to quickly scan it from your phone and from that point forward, you’ll be given access to come into the community and interact with Carlos. And more importantly, to interact with people like Sandy Pentland, the cofounder of the MIT, with Brad Smith from Microsoft and all of the contributors that have allowed us and enabled us to be able to start the dialogue. And there’s so much more to talk about and that’s, these chapters will all unfold and continue to evolve on a real time basis going forward.
Matt Bird (Show Host, Traders Network Show):03:21
Well, I, for one, I’m excited to read the rest of this when it comes out. Is there a website people can go to look at this?
David Fergusson (Co-author, TransHuman Code): 03:50
You know, they can’t actually. It’ll go live on June’s fourth.
Matt Bird (Show Host, Traders Network Show): 03:57
I feel this is a little bit like “Steve Jugesk” you know, you’re doing the pre the preempt and people are waiting for that.
David Fergusson (Co-author, TransHuman Code):04:02
Well, I can tell you, as you can imagine the last four days here in Davos, we have been deeply embedded in dialogue with, with past contributors and new contributors to this project. So you’re going to see some boldface names most importantly because they’re playing such a significant role today and how technology is being developed, how it’s being implemented, how it’s being financed. But most importantly in conversations with people like you, Matt, about how it’s being used.
Matt Bird (Show Host, Traders Network Show): 04:30
Well I appreciate your time, David. David Fergusson, co-author of the TransHuman Code. You’re watching the Traders Network Show. We’ll be right back with our next guest somewhere later this evening. Thanks a lot. Don’t go away.
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