In short
- The Hong Kong University of Technology and Innovation (HKUST) has launched the Von Neumann Institute
- Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized the institute's role in promoting Hong Kong as a leader in AI innovation
- The center, led by computer scientist Jia Jiaya, plans to hire over 30 researchers and 150 PhD students within five years
One of the universities in Hong Kong has established the Greater Bay Area's first industry-driven artificial intelligence (AI) research institute, with the city's financial secretary hoping that the center will determine the future of AI and fuel development in the region and the world.
The Hong Kong University of Technology and Innovation (HKUST) on Friday launched the Von Neumann Institute to develop a comprehensive AI ecosystem, enhance cooperation among the industry, academia and research, and groom a new batch of AI talent through school outreach programs.
"Setting up the institute is another crucial move towards promoting Hong Kong as a world leader in AI innovation," Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po noted during the inauguration ceremony.
"We expect the Institute to be a platform generating new paths to application scenarios and commercialization of AI, thus supporting Hong Kong's changing innovation ecosystem and progress in AI," he added.
I hope the Institute all success in its goal to forge the future of AI for the benefit of Hong Kong, our nation and the world."
The Greater Bay Area is a national development plan that attracts Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities to become China's new economic giant.
Chan said the existing local government is a firm believer in "the immense potential" of AI and that the city would pay attention to the five "critical pillars" in order to harness opportunities created by AI, which are computing power, advanced algorithms, high-quality data, patient capital and talent.
Attendees view a robotics demonstration. HKUST's Von Neumann Institute is committed to enhancing collaboration between industry, academia and research. Photo: Jonathan Wong
At his February budget announcement, Chan promised to devote HK$1 billion (US$128.7 million) to setting up the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, among other tech-related projects.
The government hoped to have the institute operational by the 2026-27 financial year, with the HK$1 billion being used for the first five years of operational costs, including recruitment of staff.
The new institution, the first in the Greater Bay Area to concentrate on the industrialisation of AI, was quoted by HKUST. They gave examples of work on systems that deal with graphics, audio and text; creating robots that can mimic human movement and interaction; and big data for strengthening public health infrastructures.
The new centre is led by computer scientist Jia Jiaya, whose areas of research are on high-end development of computer vision and deep learning technology such as image-video understanding, big models, multi-modal AI, computational imaging, and generative AI.
The centre seeks to hire over 30 AI researchers and professors, as well as over 150 PhD students in five years' time, as per Jia.
