In 2025, artificial intelligence undeniably took center stage, not just in technology but across industries, politics, and culture. TIME Magazine’s decision to name the “Architects of AI” as its Person of the Year reflects how this group of innovators has shaped our world as we know it, and how they’re influencing the future. From building the algorithms driving rapid advancements to making complex ethical decisions, these individuals represent both promise and concern for what’s ahead.
Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs
As a European entrepreneur and someone who has spent years bootstrapping startups like Fe/male Switch, I see this recognition as more than just a nod to these tech pioneers. It’s a signal to founders, specifically female founders, to understand how AI is transforming businesses, and how we can be proactive rather than reactive. The tools and platforms innovated by the likes of Jensen Huang (NVIDIA) or Demis Hassabis (DeepMind) are not just reshaping billion-dollar corporations. They’re accessible to small businesses, freelancers, and non-technical founders.
Failure to adapt to these shifts isn’t an option. While the buzz around AI can sometimes feel overwhelming, knowing the practical ways to integrate AI into your startup could mean the difference between thriving or falling behind.
The Key Players Behind AI’s Success in 2025
TIME spotlighted key figures whose contributions have accelerated AI’s adoption. These include:
- Jensen Huang (NVIDIA): His work on GPUs powers much of today’s AI, from image generation to autonomous vehicles.
- Sam Altman (OpenAI): A leader in generative AI, pushing boundaries with ChatGPT and enterprise solutions.
- Lisa Su (AMD): Continues to innovate in AI chip architecture, bridging accessibility for startups and researchers.
- Elon Musk (xAI/Tesla): Despite controversies, his AI projects highlight big-picture applications like autonomous driving.
- Fei-Fei Li (World Labs): Known for advocating human-centered AI ethics, essential for building trustworthy systems.
The fact that nearly half of these innovators work on hardware solutions should make even non-technical founders think twice about dismissing tech infrastructure investments for their startups.
What AI Means for Startup Founders in Europe
As someone who has juggled grant applications, market challenges, and regulatory hurdles in the EU, navigating this shifting AI landscape presents both opportunities and challenges. European businesses, particularly startups, stand in a unique position to take advantage of these changes.
Here’s what to grasp as AI gains influence:
- Customer Experience Matters More: Tools like ChatGPT or MidJourney have democratized ways to engage customers creatively. Small companies can easily build AI chatbots or design tools to match the offerings of larger competitors.
- Massive Productivity Gains: For founders bootstrapping with tiny teams, AI tools can fill in gaps, whether it’s automating marketing, legal analysis, or customer service.
- Creative Decision Making with Fewer Resources: In my incubator program, I’ve seen so many women founders use low-budget or even free AI to create high-quality pitch decks, financial forecasts, or prototype tests. Tools like Jasper.ai or Notion AI are gaining huge traction in Europe for exactly this reason.
While early adopters make gains, those delaying may find themselves outpaced. Currently, only 24% of startups in Western Europe are actively integrating AI tools into their operations, according to a 2023 TechBarometer report.
How to Harness AI for Your Startup (Even Without Experience)
You don’t need to be a technical founder to bring AI into your startup. In fact, if I can integrate AI tools into my deeptech projects while balancing non-profit work with Fe/male Switch, anyone can. Here’s a quick guide:
- Start Small: Pick an area like marketing or content generation. Platforms like Canva and Grammarly now integrate AI for enhanced workflows.
- Experiment in Operations: AI-powered CRMs like HubSpot or task managers like Trello can help create efficient workflows for your team.
- Upskill Your Team Quickly: Online tools like Coursera and DataCamp offer AI-related courses at affordable prices, which has been a game-changer for many solopreneurs.
- Partner Smartly: If your strengths lie outside of tech, find collaborators who understand AI tools without losing sight of your vision.
When we added AI components to the Fe/male Switch platform, I leaned heavily on consultants and online tutorials to close my skills gap. It wasn’t daunting, it was empowering.
Mistakes to Avoid as You Begin
Let me save you some headaches by sharing mistakes I’ve seen often:
- Blindly following trends: Only integrate AI software or processes if they solve a specific bottleneck in your business.
- Ignoring ethical questions: Startups, especially in Europe, must adhere to strict GDPR and data regulations. Don’t risk compliance issues for quick wins.
- Not customizing tools for your niche: Free tools are great, but without tailoring systems to your industry, you won’t reap full benefits.
Lessons European Women Entrepreneurs Can Take Away
As a female founder, I’ve often felt that emerging tech, including AI, isn’t marketed or built with us in mind. This doesn’t mean it’s inaccessible; we just need to advocate for tools that align with our goals. The AI developments of this year remind me that technology levels the playing field if you know how to approach it thoughtfully.
- Bootstrapping Skills Improve with AI: I’ve run businesses on limited budgets, and tools like GPT-4 helped me replace expensive services I couldn’t initially afford.
- Confidence in Non-Traditional Roles: Women in non-technical industries should know that AI isn’t reserved for coders. Knowing how to ask the right questions and interpret results still makes you a leader.
- Collaboration’s New Face: As startups lean toward hybrid work, many women founders are finding AI tools that help teams collaborate across borders faster than before.
Perspective for Business Owners Moving Forward
The decision by TIME Magazine could be seen as a celebration, but for businesswomen in Europe, it’s also a wake-up call. The influence of individuals like Sam Altman or Fei-Fei Li extends well beyond AI; their work signals where the economy is heading, and small businesses must prepare by staying agile and informed. It’s no longer about “catching up” but adopting growing tools that make sense for your venture.
One way to keep up with this evolution is to ensure you have access to communities for learning and networking. For instance, platforms like Fe/male Switch not only provide learning but also practical experiences. Our users are often surprised at how self-sustaining they can become with small adjustments, not massive shifts. Women entrepreneurs particularly stand to benefit when they step into tech confidently and calmly.
So ask yourself: how will you use AI to strengthen what you’ve already built? The best time to answer that question is now.
FAQ
1. Who are the "Architects of AI" named as TIME's 2025 Person of the Year?
The "Architects of AI" include major innovators like NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, and Fei-Fei Li of World Labs. Their contributions have significantly impacted AI advancements in 2025. Read more about the announcement
2. Why did TIME choose the "Architects of AI" instead of a single individual?
TIME recognized that the collective efforts of these pioneers in advancing AI technology were more significant than the achievements of a single person. This choice acknowledges their combined influence on industries, politics, and society. Learn more about the selection
3. What are some key contributions of individuals named among the "Architects of AI"?
- Jensen Huang revolutionized GPUs for AI applications.
- Sam Altman developed influential generative AI tools like ChatGPT.
- Lisa Su advanced accessible AI chip architectures.
- Demis Hassabis led breakthroughs at Google DeepMind, shaping ethical and practical AI implementation. Explore their achievements
4. How is AI reshaping startups and small businesses?
AI tools like generative software, chatbots, and marketing analytics platforms make cutting-edge technology accessible to startups, leveling the playing field by enhancing productivity and creativity even with limited resources.
5. What challenges are associated with AI adoption?
AI raises concerns such as misinformation, job displacement, ethical dilemmas, and regulatory policies, especially around data privacy under frameworks like GDPR in Europe. TIME highlights these issues in their coverage. Delve into TIME's report
6. What are some recommended AI tools for non-technical founders?
Platforms like Canva and Grammarly integrate AI for content creation, while tools like HubSpot and Notion AI can help streamline business operations efficiently.
7. How can European startups leverage AI effectively?
European startups should focus on integrating AI platforms that enhance customer experiences, meeting regulatory standards and staying agile to adapt to emerging trends. Explore startup strategies
8. How has AI influenced productivity for entrepreneurs?
AI-powered automation in areas like marketing, legal workflows, and customer service has created massive efficiency gains for entrepreneurs running small teams. Tools like Jasper.ai and Notion AI are popular solutions.
9. What lessons can female entrepreneurs take from this AI boom?
Female founders are encouraged to embrace AI as a tool that can level the playing field. Practical applications like building pitch decks or automating routine tasks empower women entrepreneurs to succeed, even in non-technical industries.
10. How does AI enable creativity in startups?
Generative AI allows startups to develop high-quality content, graphics, and prototypes at a low cost. Tools like MidJourney and Jasper.ai aid creative decision-making and help non-designers compete with enterprise-level capabilities.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
