The Faculty of Science and the Department of Computer Science at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) proudly co-hosted the opening-cum-briefing for an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) competition named “
AI x HK OpenCup 2023” (The Competition) on 16 September. The Competition attracted immense enthusiasm, drawing nearly 400 students from secondary schools and tertiary institutions eager to showcase their creativity and AI prowess.
The Competition's primary focus revolved around addressing the United Nations' four sustainable development goals, namely Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11). Participants were challenged to devise creative AI solutions tailored to the Hong Kong context.
In the opening speech, Professor Jiming Liu, Associate Vice-President (Research Development) and Dean of Science, emphasised the transformative potential of AI in driving creativity and innovation. “AI x HK OpenCup is more than just a competition; it is a forward-looking initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI technologies for the betterment of society. It also encourages creative, innovative, and bold demonstrations of the technology that effectively address significant societal grand challenges.” Professor Liu also urged participants to think globally while acting locally, aligning with the competition’s judging criteria.
To provide participants with a deeper understanding and preparation for the Competition, esteemed speakers were invited to share their insights, including Mr. Andy Fung, Lead of SDG Campus from Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (HiESD); Dr. Zhitang Chen, Hong Kong Research Center of Huawei; Mr. Frank Ng, Skills Lead (Education) of Microsoft Hong Kong and Mr Raymond Chu, Associate Director, University Collaboration & Entrepreneurship at Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). They offered valuable perspectives on sustainable development, the latest AI technologies, and potential applications.
Riding on the success of the last year, the Competition received robust support from various organisations and industrial partners, including the HKBU Century Club, IEEE Hong Kong Section, HiESD, Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), HKSTP, Huawei, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The final pitching and award presentation ceremony is scheduled for 25 November.
The Department of Computer Science is dedicated to harnessing the power of innovation and technology to unlock endless possibilities. Our mission is to inspire and nurture the next generation of tech leaders, encouraging them to push beyond boundaries with innovative thinking, AI technologies, and close collaborations. AI x HK OpenCup 2023 stands as one of the celebratory events of the Department for the 35th Anniversary this year.
