The Dectec Download: Weekly Insights from the Dectec Ecosystem (May 26-30, 2025)

Introduction: Empowering Ethical AI and Data Ownership

As the AI landscape evolves, the need for ethical AI and decentralized data ownership continues to grow. In the final days of May, the global conversation around AI is focusing on empowering individuals with control over their digital identities, ensuring privacy, and promoting inclusivity. From AI startups gaining traction to new initiatives around AI twins and data sovereignty, the Dectec ecosystem remains a key player in this transformative movement.

This week's partner updates showcase significant steps towards building a decentralized AI future. Chainge celebrated AI’s role in shaping industries, Twin Protocol continued to highlight data sovereignty and inclusive AI, and Angel Twin reinforced the importance of personalized, user-owned AI experiences. These developments point directly to the growing trend of decentralized AI, where individuals—not corporations—control and benefit from their data.

CHAINGE

(Dectec’s media brand showcasing how AI is changing the world)

AI on the Rise

From May 18–24, 2025, AI on the Rise highlighted a significant surge in global AI investment, with $403 million raised by early-stage startups. The Series A round saw over $139 million, while seed-stage companies secured $247.5 million and pre-seed raised $16.5 million. Leading the funding was LM Arena, raising $100 million for a community-driven platform, followed by David AI and Katina Labs, securing $25 million and $18 million, respectively. This surge reflects strong investor confidence in AI’s transformative potential.

In a thought-provoking post, CHAINGE explored the role of Virtual Assistants (VAs) in the age of AI. While AI agents can autonomously handle tasks like scheduling, email management, and customer inquiries, the post emphasized that human VAs are far from obsolete. The real opportunity lies in collaboration—VAs who embrace AI tools to streamline routine tasks and focus on more complex, personalized work will thrive. CHAINGE encourages VAs to see AI as an ally, integrating it into their workflow to enhance strategy and innovation while maintaining the human touch that AI cannot replicate.

In another compelling post, CHAINGE highlighted the potential risks of not owning your AI twin. The video explored a scenario where an AI twin could become more popular than its creator, profiting from their likeness and influence without the creator’s ownership. CHAINGE stressed the importance of owning your AI twin on the blockchain, as centralized tech could otherwise exploit your identity and likeness for profit. They encouraged individuals to embrace the $15 trillion opportunity in the AI space, likening it to owning a top restaurant in a booming industry. The key takeaway: own your AI twin now to avoid losing out on the future of AI communication and the immense potential it holds..

Twin Protocol

(Leading the charge on AI twins and data sovereignty)

In a thought-provoking post, Twin Protocol posed an intriguing question: “What if the legendary aviator, Amelia Earhart, had an AI twin?” The post explored the idea of creating an AI twin to preserve Earhart’s legacy, allowing her to continue her work, inspire future generations, and help uncover the mystery of her final flight. Twin Protocol emphasized how AI twins can not only serve as historical figures but also act as agents for learning, discovery, and empowerment. This imaginative concept highlights the growing potential of AI twins to bridge the past and future, offering new ways to interact with history through personalized, data-driven experiences.

In this week’s #StraightfromStacey video, the AI Twin of Twin Protocol’s CEO, Stacey Engle explores how AI is becoming the ultimate amplifier for introverts. It can deliver presentations, manage draining interactions, surface best ideas, and even reflect their own thinking back to them so they gain clarity before stepping into the spotlight. For introverts, it’s not about overcoming who they are—it’s about building tools that turn preparation into power and depth into leadership.

Twin Protocol Events:
Stacey Engle, CEO of Twin Protocol, participated in the Women Leading the Way in Inclusive AI and New Funding Models dialogue at the And-Co Forum last May 28, 2025 . During the event, she emphasized how AI twins play a pivotal role in ensuring diverse representation in AI models. The event provided valuable insights into building intentional, values-driven technology. Attendees had the opportunity to have coffee with Grace the robot, build their first digital twin with Twin Protocol, and explore modular, collective tools developed by not-for-profits and Indigenous organizations. In a separate event, Bill Inman, President of Twin Protocol,was the Keynote Speaker at the VNTR Investor Roundtable in Vancouver on May 29, 2025. Bill discussed the critical importance of owning your AI as decentralized intelligence continues to reshape our world. He explored the concept of personal AI sovereignty, shedding light on what’s at stake when we allow algorithms to operate without ownership or agency. This ties directly to the growing need for data sovereignty, a key theme in Twin Protocol’s mission. 

Twin Protocol emphasized the importance of owning your data and digital identity in the era of decentralized AI. They highlighted how AI twins provide individuals with the tools to take control of their digital selves, ensuring that their personal data is not only secure but also monetized on their terms. This post underscores the growing need for AI-powered solutions that respect data sovereignty, allowing users to have full autonomy over their digital lives and identities.

🔗 Twin Protocol on X
🔗 Twin Protocol LinkedIn

Angel Twin

(Empowering users through the creation of personalized AI twins)

Angel Twin announced its participation in Web Summit Vancouver, an event centered around decentralized AI and its potential to redefine how we interact with technology. During the summit, Angel Twin hosted their AI Twin Lounge Series, where discussions on ethical AI and its intersection with data privacy took center stage. The event featured speakers like Ashlee Conery, a thought leader transforming how we think about digital commons. Her insights at the Angel Twin AI Lounge provided invaluable perspectives for those serious about the future of tech ecosystems. Another key speaker, Joel Hansen, an expert in marketing, shared his insights, offering attendees essential strategies for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Twin Protocol serves as the decentralized backbone of the Angel Twin ecosystem, designed to secure identity, protect user data, and transparently log AI interactions. Every engagement with an AI Twin is immutably recorded through Twin Vault, a tamper-proof, blockchain-anchored ledger. This ensures that user records are verifiable, self-owned, and censorship-resistant. By combining decentralized identity with zero-trust data principles, Twin Protocol enables a future where AI interactions are both powerful and accountable, aligning with the growing demand for AI accountability and data sovereignty in the digital age.

🔗 Angel Twin on X
🔗 Angel Twin on LinkedIn

Final Thoughts: Paving the Path Toward Decentralized AI

As we approach the end of May, the shift towards decentralized AI continues to gain momentum, with data sovereignty, AI twins, and user empowerment becoming central pillars of the movement. Chainge’s ongoing celebration of AI startup innovations, Twin Protocol’s advancements in personalized AI twins, and Angel Twin’s focus on ethical AI all contribute to shaping a future where individuals—not corporations—control their AI identities and data.

Looking ahead, Dectec’s ecosystem remains at the forefront of this transition, with our partners leading the charge in AI decentralization and personalized digital experiences. Stay tuned as we continue to push for a future where AI serves the needs and values of users around the world.