A Rockstar Journey

After completing her studies in Art and Visual Technology and Linguistics in 2012, Kate made a bold decision to step into the emerging world of Natural Language Processing (NLP).

“I had to learn programming from scratch — this was way before ChatGPT. Everything was rule-based.”

What began as a pragmatic career pivot quickly evolved into a passion for data, algorithms, and how language can be understood by machines. “I saw that technology could be creative — just in a different way,” she explains.

Over the years, Kate has built a uniquely interdisciplinary profile at the intersection of linguistics, computer science, and applied AI research. Before joining Homburger, she pursued a PhD in Computer Science at the University of Fribourg while working as an Associate Researcher in the Intelligent Information Systems Group at the ZHAW Institute of Computer Science (InIT). In this joint academic–industrial setting, she developed systems that translate natural language into database and Knowledge Graph query languages, leveraging Generative AI and machine learning techniques. Her research focused on large language models, knowledge representation and reasoning, and applied natural language understanding—bridging cutting-edge AI research with practical, real-world systems. 

Today, as Head of AI and Legal Tech Innovation at Homburger, she uses her expertise in AI to build intelligent tools for the legal domain.

Recognized Among the Top 100 Women in AI & Data

We congratulated Kate on her well-deserved nomination as one of the Top 100 Women in AI & Data in Switzerland 2025 — and asked her what the recognition means to her.

“The recognition was really nice and quite a lovely surprise  — the visibility that this brings to a field where women are in the minority is really important. It was a wonderful initiative, and it was inspiring to be included among so many amazing women working in AI and data in Switzerland.”

For Kate, the award was more than a personal milestone — it represented progress for the entire community. “It’s important for visibility,” she says. “When you go to schools and talk about tech, you still see too few girls. Initiatives like this one show that there’s a place for women in AI — in research, in startups, and in law firms like Homburger.”

AI in 2025: Realism Over Hype

After more than a decade in the field, Kate's understanding of AI is both enthusiastic and grounded in reality.

“We’ve hit a wall with strictly LLM architectures. They don’t truly understand the world. AGI would need physics, causality, reality — and we’re not there yet.”

Yet she remains optimistic about the future of applied AI. “AI needs people to guide it — and it will for many years,” she says. For her, the true impact of AI will come not from chasing general intelligence, but from applying it thoughtfully to real problems in specialized fields.

“If you want to build a meaningful career, don’t study AI alone — combine it with another discipline. AI plus law, biology, finance, or art. That’s where innovation happens.”

Her advice to students and career changers is simple: AI by itself is not enough. The next generation of professionals will stand out by combining AI with domain expertise — because AI amplifies knowledge, but it cannot replace it.

Research, Academia, and Application

Kate's academic work during her PhD program in Computer Science at the University of Fribourg investigated novel methods for natural language understanding and generation. By bridging research and industry, her research findings have had practical impact.

“My PhD allowed me to explore the fundamental challenges of language and reasoning — and then bring those insights directly into real-world legal AI systems.”

Her dual focus — research and real-world innovation — gives her a unique vantage point on where AI is headed. “It’s about building bridges — between data and people, between research and practice.”

Applying AI to Law

At Homburger, Kate leads the firm’s efforts to develop and integrate AI tools that make legal work faster, safer, and more efficient. Her goal is to combine deep legal knowledge with technical precision to create tools that lawyers actually use.

“We’re not replacing lawyers — we’re augmenting them. AI can handle the data; humans handle the reasoning.”

She and her team are building solutions that directly support Homburger’s 160 lawyers. Her hybrid background in arts, linguistics, and computing helps her design systems that are intuitive and language-aware.

Empowering the Next Generation

Kate is passionate about inspiring young professionals, especially women, to join the AI field. She frequently speaks at schools and events, sharing her journey from art to AI.

“It’s still rare to see women in AI. Visibility matters — that’s why initiatives like the Top 100 Women in AI & Data list are so important.”

Her message to anyone considering a career in AI: jump in, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to come from an unconventional background. “AI is still new — everyone’s learning. What matters most is curiosity and the will to build something useful.”

Final Word - Humans in the Loop

“AI can automate tasks — but judgment, ethics, and accountability will always need humans in the loop.”

If you are a candidate or company, we look forward to helping you hire or find your next career step.