Chris Ambler

Chris Ambler, Fellow of the British Computer Society and a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society, has spent over 45 years at the sharp edge of IT, combining technical expertise with a passion for people. With honours degrees in both Computer Science and Psychology, he has led teams from 10 to 350 people, managed budgets from $100k to over $250 million, and delivered world-class technical and commercial testing strategies across defence, telecoms, finance, transport, entertainment, and gaming. His work has shaped high-value projects for global organisations, including Electronic Arts and Microsoft, where he designed, built, and managed state-of-the-art QA testing facilities.

As an author and trusted adviser to venture capitalists, Chris brings strategic insight to investment decisions, helping shape the technologies and companies of tomorrow. Now retired from full-time corporate life, he is committed to giving back to the industry that served him so well, mentoring and coaching future leaders, assessing apprentices, and supporting equitable computer science education through Microsoft’s TEALS programme, where he mentors young people on real-world IT projects, encouraging ambition, curiosity, and resilience in the next generation.

With a long history of keynote speaking and conference presenting, Chris speaks passionately about the urgent need to create AI that serves and supports people, without controlling them. He rejects the idea that technology follows a predetermined path, advocating instead for deliberate, ethical design that protects human autonomy. For Chris, the real risk is not AI taking over, but subtly reshaping how we think, act, and live without our knowledge or consent. His mission is to spark debate, drive action, and ensure AI remains a tool that benefits people, rather than a force that controls them.

Driven by insight, integrity, passion, and vision, Chris blends humour, diplomacy, and hard-won experience to navigate between boardroom strategy, the big picture and frontline delivery, always keeping people at the heart of technology’s story.