Birmingham → Whitehall → Founder

est. 2024

STEVE
CHAN

Hands-On AI Strategist

Architecting Scalable, Responsible AI

14+
Years Building AI Systems
5
Years In Big Tech
1
Steve Chan
Scroll
Steve Chan - AI Builder and Strategist

STEVE CHAN; AI BUILDER, STRATEGIST, FOUNDER,AND THE ARCHITECT OF RESPONSIBLE AI AT SCALE

Small Heath, Birmingham taught me resilience; 13 years building AI systems taught me how to deliver at scale. Long before the AI boom, I was developing critical national AI applications for UK intelligence and defence at BAE Systems, architecting secure systems that couldn't afford to fail. At Microsoft, I led the UK Public Sector's transformation, spearheading the world's largest GitHub Copilot deployment across Whitehall and earning Gold Club recognition for 180% sales attainment. Now I've founded Stealth Labs, where we build enterprise AI solutions at our own risk and deliver them as zero-cost subscriptions. I've spent my entire career in AI, from pioneering NLP systems for national security to modern agentic architectures serving millions. I specialise in translating AI complexity into strategic clarity, whether running architecture workshops for CTOs or explaining responsible AI governance to government ministers. I've shipped production AI systems before most people knew what machine learning was, and I'm still building today. If you need someone who can both architect transformative AI and inspire organisations to adopt it confidently, that's exactly what I deliver.

SEE THE JOURNEY
THE JOURNEY

THE BOY FROMSMALL HEATH

A story of social mobility, ambition, and building AI systems that transform organizations.

Born in Small Heath - 1990
01
Small Heath, Birmingham

Born in Small Heath

Born into a single-parent family in Birmingham's 2nd most deprived ward. 60% child poverty rate. The odds were never meant to be in my favor.

Teaching Myself to Code - 2004
02
Small Heath, Birmingham

Teaching Myself to Code

Age 14, dial-up internet, self-taught HTML/CSS/PHP. Built and sold websites when web design agencies charged thousands. Taught myself because I couldn't afford courses.

My First Business Failed - 2007
03
Small Heath, Birmingham

My First Business Failed

Launched a business at 17. It crashed. The Prince's Trust helped me understand failure is part of the process, not the end of it.

Breaking the Pattern - 2009
04
University of Birmingham, Birmingham

Breaking the Pattern

Only 10.3% from Small Heath go to university. First in my family to attend. Being first meant proving it was possible.

Beating the Dropout Statistics - 2012
05
University of Birmingham

Beating the Dropout Statistics

Graduated Computer Science with AI. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds face 2x dropout risk. Made it through, moved to London.

From Outsider to Whitehall - 2012-2017
06
London, UK

From Outsider to Whitehall

Led technical consulting, designed AI applications for UK Government customers. Building systems that serve millions.

Engineering Leadership at Scale - 2018-2020
07
UK & Global

Engineering Leadership at Scale

Led 75+ member engineering function building critical apps and AI capability. Government sector, high-impact systems.

Big Tech & AI Explosion - 2020-2025
08
UK & Global

Big Tech & AI Explosion

Microsoft during the generative AI revolution. ChatGPT era, LLMs reshaping software. Building at scale.

Stealth Labs & Michie.ai - 2025-Present
09
UK & Global

Stealth Labs & Michie.ai

Co-founding Stealth Labs (risk-free AI development, zero upfront costs) and Michie.ai (the world's first AI-agent consulting platform). Building the future of enterprise AI, one intelligent system at a time.

SPEAKING

SHAPING AI GOVERNANCE ACROSS EUROPE

I make complex topics accessible and actionable. Here's the proof.

Speaking Topics

[23]
↓
AI GovernanceGenerative AIAIAI Ethics+19 more
Generative AI and 3D Printed Firearms
Generative AISecurity3D Printing

conference

Generative AI and 3D Printed Firearms

EMPACT Firearms Conference - UE23 Spanish Presidency

Nov 15, 2023 • Madrid, Spain

The AI Revolution: Hype, History & Real-World Impact
AIFuture of Work

conference

The AI Revolution: Hype, History & Real-World Impact

Chester Tech Meetup

Nov 20, 2025 • 5th Floor, HQ Offices, 58 Nicholas Street, Chester, CH1 2NP

The Human Side of AI
UPCOMING
AIConsulting

podcast

The Human Side of AI

TechWorld Human Skills Podcast

Dec 19, 2025 • Virtual

Cloud Strategy for Public Sector
Azure

conference

Cloud Strategy for Public Sector

Azure Cross Government Conference

Jun 10, 2024 • Manchester, UK

Confronting Racism in the Public Sector
Diversity & Inclusion

keynote

Confronting Racism in the Public Sector

GDS Government Away Day

Mar 20, 2024 • London, UK

🎤

More Coming Soon

Invite me to speak at your next event

Let's Create Impact at Your Event

Journal of a Co-Founder

The unfiltered journey of building Stealth Labs from scratch. No scripts, no filters, just real.

The Studio is Warming Up

New episodes of "Journal of a Co-Founder" drop every Friday. Be the first to listen by subscribing to the channel.

Subscribe on YouTube
Essays & Articles

The
Thoughts

"Let's Jump on a Call" - Why Async Communication is Powerful (If You Get It Right)
Featured Essay

"Let's Jump on a Call" - Why Async Communication is Powerful (If You Get It Right)

We all know the meme. 'This meeting could have been an email.' And honestly? It's right more often than any of us want to admit. Here's why async communication matters and how to actually make it work.

8 min read|Future of Work|
Apps Have Always Had A Fundamental Flaw and AI Might Finally Fix It
AI & Innovation

Apps Have Always Had A Fundamental Flaw and AI Might Finally Fix It

I've been thinking about applications recently. They're as old as computing itself, from the first programmes running on mainframes to whatever's on your phone right now. But despite decades of evolution, they all share a fundamental limitation that AI agents might finally solve.

9 min read•
Can AI Save The NHS?
Healthcare

Can AI Save The NHS?

The NHS is at breaking point. With over 7 million people on waiting lists, staff burnout reaching crisis levels, and patient frustration at an all time high, something has to change. Could artificial intelligence be the lifeline the NHS desperately needs?

3 min read•
What if Languages Became Irrelevant?
AI & Society

What if Languages Became Irrelevant?

Languages have historically served dual purposes: enabling communication whilst preserving cultural identity and heritage. But what if artificial intelligence rendered traditional language use obsolete? Would we lose something precious, or gain something extraordinary?

3 min read•
AI For Companionship
AI & Society

AI For Companionship

In the UK alone, 2.3 million older people struggle with feelings of isolation, and 1.6 million consider Christmas Day to be the loneliest day. Could AI powered companions address this public health crisis whilst preserving human dignity?

4 min read•
Can AI Bring The Dead Back to Life?
AI Ethics

Can AI Bring The Dead Back to Life?

Advanced AI systems now conduct conversations with human like fluency, raising thought provoking questions about replicating deceased individuals' communication patterns and personalities. Should we? Could we? And if so, how?

4 min read•
Why Can't I Pay With My Face?
Technology

Why Can't I Pay With My Face?

In London's Underground, where millions navigate daily, efficiency matters. The passenger gates often become bottlenecks, with people fumbling through wallets, smartphones, and contactless cards. So why can't we just use our faces?

4 min read•
The Case for a Nationalised UK App Platform: Empowering Innovation and Opportunity
Public Sector

The Case for a Nationalised UK App Platform: Empowering Innovation and Opportunity

As we contemplate how to bolster the UK's software development ecosystem, we should look to other nations, such as the USA, where tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google dominate the global stage. In a post-Brexit world, the UK has a real opportunity to follow suit and carve out its own space in the tech industry.

6 min read•
Enhancing the UK's AI Strategy: Proposals for Future Implementation
Public Sector

Enhancing the UK's AI Strategy: Proposals for Future Implementation

Having worked in and around the UK Public Sector for some time, I have been reflecting on ways we can accelerate AI adoption across the nation. AI presents a transformative opportunity for government and citizens alike, but there are challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed to ensure its successful integration.

6 min read•
The Four-Day Workweek: A Game Changer in My Professional and Personal Life
Productivity

The Four-Day Workweek: A Game Changer in My Professional and Personal Life

Not so long ago, I found myself feeling burned out with work, wedding planning, and home renovations. Caught in this relentless pace, I felt like a break was crucial, yet I was wary of the work backlog that awaited me after a traditional holiday. That's when I decided to experiment with a four-day workweek, reserving Mondays for some much-needed downtime.

2 min read•
Techniques I use to combat the 'Winter Blues'
Productivity

Techniques I use to combat the 'Winter Blues'

As the dark days start to come back to the UK you might be feeling sad that the Summer is officially over. What you're probably experiencing is S.A.D or Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern and 1 in 15 adults suffer from according to NHS Statistics.

4 min read•
Available for Hire

Work
With Me

Transform your organization with elite technical leadership and AI expertise.Let's build something extraordinary together.

I primarily support customers through my company Stealth Labs, but I may be available for short-term, specific engagements depending on the request.

🎯
Strategic Leadership

Fractional CTO

Part-time technical leadership for startups and scale-ups. Strategic direction, team building, and architecture decisions without the full-time commitment.

🤖
AI Transformation

AI Advisory

Navigate the AI landscape with confidence. From strategy to implementation, I help organizations transform with AI-first thinking.

⚡
Hands-On Expertise

Technical Consulting

Hands-on expertise in system architecture, engineering practices, and building high-performing teams. Ship faster, ship better.

🎤
Thought Leadership

Speaking & Workshops

Keynotes, panels, and hands-on workshops on AI, leadership, and technology. Inspire your team or audience with actionable insights.

Ready to Get Started?

Book a free consultation call to discuss your needs and how I can help accelerate your success.

Email Me
✉steve@stevechan.aiinLinkedIn𝕏Twitter</>GitHub

Based in Sheffield, UK • Available globally for remote work and speaking engagements