CityU to roll out HK's first AI in business master's program

The City University of Hong Kong is set to launch the city’s first master's program in artificial intelligence in business in the 2025/26 academic year.

Designed to equip students with cutting-edge AI skills, the program is supported by global tech leaders including Alibaba Cloud, Inspur, Microsoft, and Google, according to the university.

These partners will provide free AI software services, internship opportunities, and senior technical experts as guest lecturers to teach advanced topics like generative AI, large language models, and prompt engineering.

With scholarships of up to HK$50,000 and a limited intake of 50 students, the program is now accepting applications until May 31. 

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dean of the College of Business at the university Kalok Chan, emphasized the transformative role of AI in shaping future business models.

“The rapid development of AI is transforming industries and businesses and employees must equip themselves with these skills to stay competitive,” Chan said. 

To support this vision, the university will establish a state-of-the-art generative AI laboratory for business, providing students and researchers with advanced infrastructure to explore AI applications.

The program aligns with the Hong Kong government’s recent budget proposal to allocate HK$1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, further boosting the city’s innovation and technology ecosystem.

Alex Wang Chong, head of the Department of Information Systems, highlighted the department’s ambition to become a global leader in business generative AI.

“Our goal is to accelerate the development of a collaborative innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong,” Wang said. 

The new program will focus on generative AI technologies and their business applications, combining core business knowledge with AI skills. Students will learn to enhance business efficiency, manage AI projects, and design sustainable AI solutions.

Ma Jian, the program leader and a professor in the Department of Information Systems, stressed the urgency of AI education, noting that “if you don’t understand AI, you risk being left behind.”

Ma added that a recent survey showed that nearly 80 percent of respondents found the new program highly appealing, indicating strong demand.

(Ayra Wang)