Haiyan Zhang
Personal Information
- KeywordsHuman-Computer InteractionArtificial IntelligenceGaming TechnologiesInnovationInteraction DesignTangible User InterfacesAssistive Technology
- OrganizationMicrosoft
- Education (Institution)Interaction Design Institute Ivrea
Social Media & Links
Biography
Haiyan Zhang is an Australian designer and engineer, currently serving as the General Manager of Gaming AI for Microsoft’s Gaming division. She has over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning software engineering, user experience, hardware development, and service design. Haiyan is widely recognized for her innovations in assistive technology, such as the Emma Watch for Parkinson’s patients and the Fizzyo device for children with cystic fibrosis. She has showcased her work on the BBC program "Big Life Fix," demonstrating how technology innovation can improve people’s lives. As the leader of Xbox Gaming AI at Microsoft, she is driving cutting-edge research into AI for game development and application, exploring ways to enhance the experience for both players and creators.
Work Experience
- 2020–Present·Microsoft Gaming·Chief of Staff
- Responsible for management and strategic planning within Microsoft’s Gaming division
- 2022–Present·Xbox·General Manager of Gaming AI
- Leading the Gaming AI research team, driving innovation in AI for game development and applications
- Integrating machine learning research and product development, crafting the Xbox AI strategy
- 2015–2020·Microsoft Research Cambridge·Director of Innovation
- Oversaw innovation projects and served as technical advisor to lab director Christopher Bishop
- Developed tangible interaction platforms such as Project Zanzibar
- 2013–2015·Microsoft Lift London Studio·Director of Innovation
- Focused on research and development in gaming and wearable technologies
- 2006–2013·IDEO·Principal Interaction Designer
- Created innovative technical experiences in fields such as community building, entertainment, and financial services
- Co-founded the innovation platform OpenIDEO, with over 150,000 global users
- 1998–2000·Space-Time Research·Software Engineer
- Developed biomedical and data mining applications
Education
- 2003–2005·Interaction Design Institute Ivrea·Master’s in Interaction Design
- Specialization: Interaction Design, focusing on tangible user interfaces and innovative technologies
- 2001–2003·Sheridan College·Postgraduate Diploma in Interactive Multimedia
- Developed EEG visualization tools for intraoperative monitoring
- 1994–1998·Monash University·Bachelor’s in Computer Science (First-Class Honors)
- Specialization: Computer Science, Software Engineering
This biography was generated by AI from publicly available information and may contain delays or inaccuracies.