Professor Karen Cham is an internationally recognized expert in human-machine convergence and digital transformation, based in London. With over 30 years of experience, she specializes in human-centered design for complex technical products and high-scale strategies. She currently holds the position of Professor of Augmented Intelligence, Digital Transformation & Design at Kingston University and has previously served as the Professorial Lead for Connected Futures at the University of Brighton. Her work bridges the gap between advanced technology and human behavior, focusing on how machine learning and cognitive systems can drive ethical, whole-systems change.
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Professor Cham’s extensive portfolio includes advising the UK government and collaborating with global brands such as PlayStation, ITV, and Diesel. Her research expertise encompasses cognitive UX design, "RhizoMetrics" (a behavioral parametric design method), and the development of Human/Machine Operating Systems. Beyond academia, she serves as a Non-Executive Director and Trustee for NEST, the UK’s largest fintech pension transformation. Her career is dedicated to ensuring that digital innovations—from 5G and IoT to generative AI—remain inclusive, transparent, and grounded in human agency.
