About Kaj
Senior technologist with a particular interest in how data and AI is used to empower vulnerable groups and individuals. I have a background in astrophysics, data science and software development, and I love shiny things.
Social Impact
I've always been drawn to the messy, human side of technology. The kind that isn't about shiny features or perfect systems, but about real people, tough challenges, and figuring out what actually helps. Over the years that's meant building a refugee platform in a week, helping redesign how data works in children's social care, and developing tools that support people experiencing domestic abuse, all with a focus on tech that's ethical, grounded, and practical. My work tends to sit somewhere between public service, design, and data science, but what ties it together is this: I care more about outcomes than outputs, and about building things that are not just clever, but kind. Whether I'm working with government teams, charities, or global partners, the aim is the same: to make systems that serve people better, not just faster. Read more...
Science Outreach
Although I decided to follow a data science and software development career path after completing my PhD, I've always continued to be interested in science and technology. I have always tried to instill a sense of wonder and curiosity in the companies I've lead. I've found that there is plenty of cross-discipline lessons to be learned from both sides, and I've always tried to involve academic partners in my projects when possible. In the last decade I've been lucky enough to work with CERN through The Big Bang Collective to organise their Science Outreach programme. I've always believed in learning through play, and this has given me some amazing opportunities to create a Play-Doh of all my interests together, from science, to AI to art. Read more...
Programming for fun
I program for fun. And "occasionally" for work. But more importantly I find programming a great way both to explore concepts and ideas for myself, but also to teach logic and problem solving. Recently I met a high-school student who loves programming, but said he doesn't know if learning it properly is really worth it because AI will do it all in the future. My advice: of course you should learn it. Although jobs may change, the skills you learn will always be useful. And hopefully you'll have fun doing it. Programming isn't just about writing code, it's a creative process not dissimilar to creating a work of art, and the joy you feel at the end is the same. AI make take over the factory coding, but we will retain the joy of coding for creativity. Read more...
AI and Art
Ok, this title is probably a bit of click-bait, but if you can't put click-bait on your own website, where can you? I've been fascinated by digital art and the way that technology can be used to create art. With the advent of the 8-bit microprocessor and the games and demoscenes in the 80s and 90s, I was hooked. That combined with my fascination with film and SFX meant that I very early started to experiment with the "digitalisation" of different media forms. This has always fitted relatively well with my profession work, which, although focused mostly on data, has always been about capturing and analysing information about the real world. It's also a two-way street, turning physical objects into digital ones goes hand in hand with using data to create physical objects, whether audio, video, lights or 3D printed objects. Lately as my work has turned more towards both AI and data ethics, I've been exploring the meaning of creativity and how AI can be used to not only create art, but also allow for new and personalised ways of interacting, experiencing and learning from real and imagined worlds. Read more...