About
Chris Chowen is a creative technologist and PhD researcher based in Brighton, UK. He researches vibe-coding — building software through conversational AI — at the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Digital Media Inclusion, a joint programme between Royal Holloway, University of London and the University of Surrey.
I'm a creative technologist and PhD researcher exploring how non-technical creatives can use AI to build real software. My research at the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Digital Media Inclusion (Royal Holloway & University of Surrey) focuses on vibe-coding — the practice of building applications through conversational AI development.
Before the PhD, I spent seven years at Wired Sussex managing The FuseBox innovation hub and leading emerging technology projects spanning VR, AR, and AI. At The FuseBox I ran the immersive lab and Ofcom-licensed 5G testbed, programmed Discovery Day workshops and Show & Tell events, facilitated resident companies, and led cultural-tech collaborations including work on the Crisis UK campaign and Brighton Digital Festival VR experiences. My background blends programming with multimedia production, videography, livestreaming, and drone operation — allowing me to work across the full spectrum of creative technology.
Research
My PhD is titled Vibe-Coding as a Creative Design Medium: Human-AI Co-Creation for Non-Technical Creatives. It sits at the intersection of creative technology, human-computer interaction, and AI for digital inclusion.
The research has several strands. I build real projects with real partners through conversational AI development, documenting what works and what doesn't. I study how non-technical creatives experience vibe-coding for the first time and how their skills develop over time. And I design tools and approaches that make the process safer and more reflective.
A key concept from my research is the compression gap — AI tools compress the journey from nothing to working prototype dramatically, but the final distance from "working prototype" to "something you could responsibly put in front of real people" still demands knowledge that no amount of prompting can replace. Security review. Accessibility. Edge case handling. Deployment configuration.
The research is funded by UKRI through the Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Digital Media Inclusion, a joint programme between Royal Holloway, University of London and the University of Surrey.
Experience
Press & Mentions
Beyond the Screen
I'm based in Brighton, on the south coast of England — a city that's always had a knack for attracting creative and slightly unconventional people. It's where I grew up, went to school at Brighton College, and built my career. The city's mix of arts, tech, and seaside chaos suits me perfectly.
When I'm not researching or building things, you'll find me exploring whatever new rabbit hole has caught my attention — from laughter detection games to fantasy parliament simulations to AR business cards. I tend to follow curiosity wherever it leads, which is probably how I ended up with 50+ side projects and a PhD about the process of building them.
You can chat with an AI version of me right in your mobile browser — or if you have one of my business cards, try the full AR experience.
Want to work together?
Whether you need AI consulting, a workshop, or help bringing a creative tech idea to life — let's talk.