Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector is preparing for the AI era, with the TV program “AI for Humans” shedding light on the growing role of AI in shaping the future workforce. Hosted by Chan Hiu-fung, a Deputy to the National People’s Congress and member of the Cyberport Board, the program dives into the ecosystem at Cyberport and local universities, offering an insightful look into how they are nurturing AI talent to meet the demands of a fast-evolving workplace. The program features valuable perspectives from industry leaders, researchers, and educators, exploring how AI is reshaping career prospects and accelerating innovation across the city.

Cyberport, as Hong Kong’s digital technology hub, has made significant strides in developing AI infrastructure, including its AI Supercomputing Centre, which supports a range of industry-specific models in sectors such as finance, logistics, healthcare, and creative industries. Dr. Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport emphasized the transformative impact AI is having on industries, with one sector’s adoption of AI creating ripple effects across others. “Artificial intelligence will profoundly impact every industry, as sectors are interconnected across their upstream and downstream. Once one link begins to adopt AI, the others will follow,” said Cheng, “and Cyberport is building a comprehensive AI ecosystem that integrates compute power and models with real-world applications across different industries.”

In its ongoing mission to foster local and international talent, Cyberport has also been proactively engaging with universities through internships, career fairs, and university partnership programmes. The Cyberport Academy has become a key player in nurturing talents, helping startups and industry players build expertise in AI and equip with digital skills. “We’re focused on helping businesses embed AI into their operations to boost efficiency and reduce costs,” added Cheng.

The program also highlights the critical role of academia in driving AI innovation. Professor Hongxia Yang, Executive Director of PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence and Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, noted Hong Kong’s strengths in talent density and international collaboration. She anticipates significant developments in AI’s “miniaturisation” and “decentralisation,” which will further enhance the city’s position in the generative AI field. “We need to make AI a compulsory subject and encourage students to engage with the industry to solve real-world problems. Deep integration of academia and industry is crucial,” said Professor Yang.

Universities like The University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University are embracing AI integration across disciplines. Professor YIU Siu-Ming, Master Programme Director, School of Computing and Data Science, The University of Hong Kong, spoke about the importance of “first-principles reasoning” for students to understand and adapt AI models.

Meanwhile, Professor Alexander Wai Ping-Kong, President and Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong Baptist University, revealed that all students, regardless of their field of study, will now be required to take at least one AI-related course. He said: “Every technological revolution expands what humans can do. AI will not make the world worse. The key is to use it to accelerate creation and innovation.”

As generative AI continues to gain momentum in industrial applications, local tech companies are already achieving remarkable breakthroughs. Dr. Liam Ning, CTO of Stellaris AI, emphasized how generative AI is revolutionizing creative workflows by streamlining the creation of 2D and 3D assets, reducing both team sizes and production timelines. “We focus on high-demand sectors such as finance, education, healthcare, and gaming. Generative AI has reduced asset creation from teams of ten people working over several days to an automated process that takes just 30 to 60 minutes, followed by human verification,” he explained. However, Ning also underscored the need for ethical considerations in fields like entertainment and gaming, stressing the importance of preventing inappropriate content and avoiding excessive reliance on AI.

Through its blend of industry, academia, and research, the program offers viewers practical insights into how Hong Kong can harness the full potential of AI to drive innovation, cultivate talent, and fuel business growth. For those seeking to upgrade their skills and stay ahead of the curve in the AI-driven job market, “AI for Humans” promises to be an invaluable resource.

The program airs on Saturdays at 8:30pm on HOY TV Channel 78, with re-runs on Sundays and Tuesdays. Episodes are also available for online viewing on HOY TV’s official platform.

HOY TV’s “AI for Humans” explores how Cyberport and HK universities’ are shaping the future of AI talent