Dan Thomson, founder of Sensay, is focused on creating technology that keeps people connected and preserves their knowledge for the future. His platform allows users to create AI-powered digital replicas, helping them stay productive and safeguard their insights.
In this episode, Dan breaks down what it takes to build a successful AI company, including the challenges of leading a global, fully remote team and using blockchain to secure digital identity. He also shares how Sensay balances automation with maintaining a personal connection.
Beyond AI, we dive into Dan’s experience with building a nomadic company culture, his thoughts on AI’s interaction with human behavior, and how unconventional fundraising helped shape Sensay’s trajectory.
Take some time to hear all about Dan’s vision for an AI-enabled and blockchain-verified future right here:
Explore our conversation below to learn more about Dan’s approach to AI, leadership, and the future of digital communication:
Dan Thomson: It’s fascinating. Human connection has evolved so much over the years—from small communities to large cities, and now to global communication via smartphones and social media. We’re drowning in communication, especially with remote work. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by constant messages, but there’s also a great quality of life when you get it right. Leading a global team has made me more conscious of how communication overload impacts people. That's why with Sensay, we aim to help reduce the noise by using AI to filter messages, allowing users to focus on what really matters.
As for spontaneity, it’s a tricky balance. In-person communication feels more natural, but when you train your digital replica, you’re forced to be more thoughtful. You're teaching the model how you want it to act. It's an interesting blend—spontaneous in real-time, but very deliberate behind the scenes.
Dan Thomson: Absolutely. There’s always this perception that technology should remove all human involvement, but I’ve found that keeping the human element is essential. For instance, our CTO loves talking to my replica because, apparently, it’s much nicer to him than I am! It’s an ongoing reminder that people prefer interacting with a version of someone that feels human, even if it's AI.
Dan Thomson: One surprising behavior is how people treat their replicas as extensions of themselves but still want them to remain distinct. Users often start by uploading their personality into the AI, but as they interact with it more, they start tweaking it. The idea that you can create a more thoughtful version of yourself—while keeping that version separate from your daily self—is fascinating. It’s shaped our development because we now focus on letting users decide how much of their real personality they want to transfer to the AI and how much they want to fine-tune it.
Dan Thomson: We’ve been building Sensay for a few years now, and it’s been an evolving process. Our initial focus was on creating an AI personality that could act as a digital assistant. Now, we’re at the stage where people can create their own replicas. It’s been incredible to see how the product has grown and how users have started using their replicas for personal and professional tasks. We’re seeing real-time use cases where the AI handles things like drafting emails and even responding to family members while the user is busy.
Dan Thomson: We’ve definitely broken a few norms. Running a remote, nomadic team has allowed us to access a wider talent pool and create a more flexible working environment. We don’t have a fixed office, and that’s given us the freedom to meet up in different countries where our team members are based. For example, we spent time in Thailand and Italy because key members of our team were there. These in-person meetups are intense, focused, and productive, and they help build the culture in a way that wouldn’t happen in a traditional office setup.
In terms of breaking norms, we also took a non-traditional route with funding. Instead of seeking VC funding, we did a token sale, raising $3.5 million. It gave us breathing room to develop the product without external pressure, and we could move at our own pace, exploring different options and refining the technology as we saw fit.
Dan Thomson: Blockchain plays a crucial role in verifying AI replicas, especially when they start acting autonomously. For example, if your replica is helping you with tasks like paying bills or drafting messages, you’ll want to ensure that it’s really "you." Blockchain can verify that the AI is authenticated and tied to your identity.
Additionally, there’s a potential future where replicas could be minted as NFTs and even traded. For instance, imagine an Elvis Presley replica that continues to interact with fans long after he’s gone. The value of that replica could be transferred to another person through an NFT. It’s a long-term vision, but one that’s possible with the intersection of AI and blockchain.
Dan Thomson: We try to meet up in person every few months, but it depends on convenience and the team’s location. Recently, we were all in Italy because our CTO is based there, and a few other developers are from Italy as well. It was a productive session where we split into teams, tackled specific projects, and built a stronger sense of camaraderie. But I don't think we need to be in an office full-time. Meeting up a few times a year gives us the best of both worlds—remote flexibility and focused, in-person collaboration when needed.
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