Dr. Chris Trace's professional journey is anything but conventional. Starting his career as a qualified veterinarian, Chris made an early pivot into Technology-enhanced education that would eventually place him at the forefront of global education innovation. Today, as Chief Academic Officer of KEATH.ai, he is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to transform assessment and feedback in education — but his roots in science, empathy, and complex problem-solving remain central to his approach.
Before joining KEATH.ai, Chris was best known as the Head of Digital Learning at the University of Surrey, one of the UK's leading institutions in higher education innovation. He led major digital strategy projects, helping to integrate cutting-edge technologies into teaching and assessment practices. His work extended across faculty boundaries, bringing together educators, technologists, and students to co-design ecosystems of tools that enhanced both learning outcomes and teaching efficiency. Chris' leadership in this space gained recognition, including; a National Teaching Fellowship in 2020, being part of CATE winning team at Surrey in 2024 (Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence) and culminating in the international D2L Excellence Award in the same year.
Dr. Chris Trace accepting the D2L Excellence Award on behalf of University of Surrey, KEATH.ai's incubator
In 2024, he was invited to present at UNESCO's Digital Learning Week in Paris, where he spoke on AI's potential to enable scalable, fair, and human-centred feedback systems. His message resonated: that the future of education should empower educators and personalise learning without sacrificing integrity or human connection.
What makes Chris stand out is not only his technical expertise but his empathy for the challenges educators face — especially in today's increasingly data-driven and resource-constrained educational environments. With his roots in veterinary medicine, Chris brings a scientific mindset and a deep appreciation for systems thinking. Combined with his extensive leadership experience in higher education, he is uniquely equipped to bridge the worlds of pedagogy, technology, and policy.
Dr. Chris Trace presenting at UK's RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) AI Summit 2024
Last year, Chris also spoke at The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) AI Summit in London, where he discussed AI's impact and potential in teaching, learning, assessment, and feedback. His contribution was part of a larger conversation on regulatory considerations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professional accountability in AI-assisted decisions.
"I embrace our mission to use AI to support — rather than replace — educators by saving time and improving the student experience."
— Dr. Chris Trace, Chief Academic Officer at KEATH.aiAfter Chris' first month at KEATH.ai, he shared how energising it was to join a dynamic team reimagining assessment and feedback in education. He embraces our mission to use AI to support — rather than replace — educators by saving time and improving the student experience. Chris also emphasised our values-driven and collaborative culture and hinted at exciting developments as KEATH.ai continued to expand its impact across the education sector.
Beyond the product, Chris is a thought leader committed to ethical, inclusive AI. He collaborates with global education organisations and has a growing presence in policy discussions on the responsible use of AI in learning environments. Under his co-leadership, KEATH.ai has not only become an award-nominated platform but a trusted voice in the conversation about the future of education.
From examining animal anatomy to decoding the complexities of educational systems, Chris Trace continues to apply the same curiosity and care that defined his early career. Now, through KEATH.ai, he is helping educators around the world do what they do best — teach — by giving them time, tools, and trust in a smarter, AI-enhanced era.
