Exclusive Interview with Preska Thomas-The Future Belongs to Those Who Build Ethically Intelligent Systems
Every once in a while, you meet someone who doesn’t just work in technology — they speak its soul. In an industry full of noise, and overnight experts, finding a person who genuinely understands the layers behind blockchain, AI, and data ethics is rare. Finding one who’s willing to share that understanding with the world is even rarer. That’s what makes Preska Thomas stand out.
Through her company, DebitMyData, she’s reimagining how individuals interact with their own digital footprint — not as passive users, but as rightful owners of their data. But what truly defines her isn’t just the innovation she’s driving; it’s the intention behind it. Preska has this quiet yet unshakable belief that technology should work for people, not control them.
Her insight runs deeper than code or strategy — it’s human. Whether she’s talking about blockchain transparency or AI accountability, there’s a sense of purpose in every word, like someone who’s seen both sides of technology: its power to elevate, and its potential to exploit. And that’s what makes this conversation special. Because in a space crowded with speculation, Preska brings something that can’t be faked — real experience, real integrity, and a rare kind of clarity the world needs right now.
Interviewer: Preska, you’ve often been described as a pioneer at the intersection of blockchain, AI, and digital identity. Let’s begin with the core of your mission — what inspired you to build DebitMyData™?
Preska Thomas: The inspiration came from a very simple truth — data is human energy. Every interaction we make online, every post, search, and idea generates value, yet most people never see the benefit of that. Blockchain gave us the foundation to decentralize ownership, and AI gave us the intelligence to scale it. I wanted to merge both — not for speculation or hype, but to build an ethical infrastructure where people can earn, protect, and be recognized for their digital presence. That’s how DebitMyData™ and the concept of 0fung NFTs were born.
Interviewer: How do you see blockchain and AI truly working together, beyond just being buzzwords?
Preska Thomas: That’s a great question. Most companies treat blockchain and AI as separate industries — blockchain is about decentralization, AI about prediction. But the real magic happens when you combine them.
AI thrives on data. Blockchain, when designed ethically, ensures that the ownership and consent behind that data are transparent and verifiable. So, when you integrate the two, you’re not just teaching machines to learn — you’re teaching them to learn responsibly.
At DebitMyData™, we’ve developed an AI trust framework using blockchain-verified identities. Every data point used in model training is tied to a verified human source, with consent embedded through smart contracts. It’s accountability written in code.
The future won’t be “AI or blockchain” — it’ll be AI with blockchain ethics at its core.
Interviewer: You’ve introduced a concept called the Human Energy Grid™. What exactly is it, and how does it tie into your mission?
Preska Thomas: The Human Energy Grid™ is our next evolution — it’s about connecting verified human identities into a living digital network where data becomes energy and energy becomes opportunity.
Think of it as the world’s first human-centered digital infrastructure. Each participant — creator, consumer, developer — contributes value to the grid. Through blockchain, that value is traceable; through AI, it’s usable; through ethics, it’s fair.
We’re building systems where digital identity is not a product — it’s a passport to digital sovereignty.
Interviewer: AI governance and data ethics are hot topics right now. How do you define “ethical data infrastructure”?
Preska Thomas: Ethical data infrastructure means that consent is the default, not an afterthought. It means every byte of data has a source, every transaction has transparency, and every human behind the screen has rights.
Right now, the world runs on invisible labor — people’s clicks, preferences, creativity — but they rarely benefit from it. Ethical infrastructure flips that power dynamic. It says: if data is the new oil, humans should own the wells.
We’ve embedded this philosophy into DebitMyData’s architecture. Our systems use reinforcement learning and AI security layers that verify whether a model respects user consent before processing data. It’s not just compliance — it’s conscience, coded.
Interviewer: For entrepreneurs or developers building in these spaces, what’s your advice for integrating blockchain and AI successfully?
Preska Thomas: Three things.
- Start with ethics, not features.
Don’t build technology just because it’s trendy. Build it because it makes human systems more fair and sustainable. Ethics is the most powerful long-term business strategy. - Design for interoperability.
Your blockchain should talk to AI models, APIs, and identity layers seamlessly. Closed systems die fast. Open ones evolve. - Never separate people from data.
Behind every dataset is a human story. Build with that in mind — your product will automatically become more meaningful, and in the long run, more successful.
Interviewer: You’ve been called “the Satoshi Nakamoto of 0fung NFTs”. How do you feel about that title?
Preska Thomas: (laughs) I think it’s humbling and inspiring, but to me, the real goal isn’t to be compared — it’s to continue building something that outlives me.
Satoshi gave the world decentralization. My mission is to give the world ethical intelligence — systems that think, act, and reward in alignment with human values.
If we can build an internet that serves humanity — not the other way around — then we’ve truly evolved as a species.
Interviewer: What do you believe will define the next decade of innovation?
Preska Thomas: I believe the next decade won’t belong to the fastest or the loudest. It’ll belong to those who build with integrity.
Technology is no longer about disruption — it’s about restoration. Restoring trust, restoring ownership, and restoring humanity’s place in the digital world.
That’s the heart of everything I do at DebitMyData™. The future isn’t coded — it’s consciously built.
