Xi Zeng

Honorary Fellow

Nottingham University Business School China

Dr. Xi Zeng is an AI entrepreneur and interdisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of art and technology, with a focus on visual intelligence and human–AI interaction.

He is the founder of Chance AI, where he pioneered one of the earliest vision-focused AI products, grounded in his belief that visual understanding represents the next generation of human–machine interaction and the most intuitive interface for humans. His work explores how AI can move beyond generation toward interpretation, perception, and meaning-making, particularly in design, culture, and everyday experience.

Prior to founding Chance AI, Dr. Zeng held senior leadership roles across some of the world’s most influential consumer technology companies, including ByteDance, OnePlus, and OPPO. As Senior Director of Product and Design at ByteDance, and previously in key design leadership positions at OnePlus and OPPO, he led the creation of large-scale consumer products and design systems deployed globally, shaping digital experiences used by over 600 million users.

His work spans mobile phones, operating systems, and AI-driven consumer products, contributing to the evolution of mobile interaction and the integration of artificial intelligence into everyday user experience. Several of these projects have received international recognition, including Red Dot and iF Design Awards, reflecting both industrial impact and design excellence.

Across more than a decade in the industry, Dr. Zeng has been directly involved in building products from early-stage concepts to global-scale platforms, witnessing and contributing to the transformation of consumer technology in the era of mobile internet and AI. In recognition of his influence, he was named one of Forbes China Top 10 Designers in 2022.

Dr. Zeng holds a PhD in Cognitive Science and Contemporary Art from the University of Barcelona. His work bridges academic inquiry and industrial practice, informed by a design framework for AI systems first articulated in his keynote “Humanity and Intelligence: Rethinking AI Experience Design” at Business of Design Week 2023. In this context, he proposed a set of principles for designing AI systems that emphasise interpretation over generation, human–AI co-creation, and the role of meaning and context in shaping experience, reflecting a broader shift in the field toward aligning technological capability with human values.

He has engaged with leading international institutions including the Royal College of Art in London, Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, and the China Academy of Art, and has contributed to global design discourse through platforms such as TechCrunch Disrupt (2023) and Business of Design Week.

In addition to his professional and academic work, Dr. Zeng serves as a jury member for international design awards including the Good Design Awards Australia and the Pentawards, contributing to the evaluation of innovation across design and technology.