In 2025, we talk a lot about speed, scale, and disruption. But Preska Thomas wants us to talk about something more basic: trust. The founder of DebitMyData believes that as AI accelerates, the one thing we can’t afford to lose sight of is who owns their identity online.

Her latest project, a set of APIs that allow anyone—from an artist to a Fortune 500 company—to certify and control their digital presence, isn’t just about protecting data. It’s about creating a world where identity belongs to people, not platforms.

We sat down with Thomas to talk about why she thinks digital identity is the currency of the future, what entrepreneurs often overlook about authenticity, and why building inclusive systems is harder than—and more important than—building fast ones.

Everyone is talking about AI breakthroughs, but you keep focusing on identity. Why?

Preska Thomas: Because identity is the foundation. Without it, everything else crumbles. You can build the fastest AI model, the most creative tool, or the most viral platform—but if no one knows what’s authentic, the whole thing collapses.

For me, identity isn’t a side issue—it’s the issue. In the same way that the internet couldn’t grow without standardized protocols, AI and digital media can’t grow sustainably without a trust layer that works for everyone.

What makes DebitMyData different from other “anti-deepfake” or authentication tools?

Preska Thomas: Most tools out there are defensive. They’re designed to catch bad actors after the fact. But by the time something harmful is out there, the damage is already done.

Our approach is proactive. DebitMyData lets creators and businesses anchor their identity at the source. It’s like planting your flag: this is mine, this is real, this is protected. From there, you can decide how it’s used, whether that means licensing it, monetizing it, or revoking it.

And importantly, it’s not just for big players. We designed it to be radically accessible. You don’t need to be a giant studio or a tech wizard. Anyone should be able to secure their digital self in under a minute.

Was accessibility always part of your vision?

Preska Thomas: Absolutely. I think a lot about the independent artist who just wants to know her voice won’t be copied into a commercial without permission. Or the small business that can’t afford a legal department but still deserves to protect its logo.

If only billion-dollar companies can afford authenticity, then the system is broken. DebitMyData was built with the belief that digital dignity is for everyone—not just the elite.

What challenges did you face turning that belief into reality?

Preska Thomas: The hardest part was bridging two worlds: the regulatory world and the creative world. On one side, you have governments creating complex compliance frameworks. On the other side, you have people who just want something simple, fast, and fair.

Our challenge was to create something that could satisfy the strictest compliance standards while still feeling effortless for a musician, a startup, or even a single entrepreneur protecting their brand. That took years of work, hundreds of conversations, and plenty of moments where we wondered if it was even possible.

You’ve been called a “systems architect.” Do you see yourself more as a technologist or as an advocate?

Preska Thomas: Honestly, both. I’m obsessed with making complex systems simple. That’s the architect in me. But I’m also deeply driven by fairness. For me, technology is only meaningful if it empowers people who normally get left behind.

DebitMyData is technical, yes—but at its core, it’s about dignity. It’s about saying to creators, entrepreneurs, businesses: your digital presence is yours to own.

For entrepreneurs building in fast-changing industries, what lesson would you share from your journey?

Preska Thomas: Don’t confuse speed with impact. The temptation in tech is to rush, to ship fast, to chase hype. But the things that last are the things that solve foundational problems.

When we started DebitMyData, people told us, “That’s too ambitious.” But the reality is, identity is non-negotiable. If you believe in the importance of your problem, stay with it—even when it feels impossible.

Where do you see DebitMyData five years from now?

Preska Thomas: I see it becoming invisible. By that I mean: programmable trust should be so easy and so universal that people stop noticing it’s there—like Wi-Fi or electricity. You just log in, create, publish, and know your identity is secure.

And beyond that, I want to see a shift in mindset. I want us to stop treating identity like a commodity owned by platforms, and start treating it like a right owned by individuals. That’s the real future we’re building toward.