Innovation Day showcases AI-driven transformations
6 October 2025
CUHK’s 2025 Innovation Day, held on 26 September under the theme “AI Empowerment”, spotlighted the university’s pivotal role in advancing artificial intelligence and forging transformative industry-academic partnerships.
The fifth annual Innovation Day assembled over 40 exhibitors with their cutting-edge research, including 12 projects funded by the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+) of the government of the HKSAR. The event also featured more than 10 CUHK-led startup initiatives based in Shanghai, and more than 20 startups founded by CUHK scholars, students, and alumni.
The opening ceremony brought together key figures from the government and the industry, including Dr Bernard Chan Pak-li (above, fourth from right), Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; Mr Bryan Peng Wenjun (fourth from left), Executive Director of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises; and Mr Hendrick Sin (third from left), Chairperson of the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme, alongside leaders from Hong Kong Cyberport and Science and Technology Parks Corporation.
Provost Professor Poon Wai-yin highlighted Innovation Day’s role in bridging academic excellence with practical solutions, aligning with Hong Kong’s strategy to position AI as a cornerstone industry and leverage its role as a global data hub within the Greater Bay Area.
Thematic talks offered deep insights into Hong Kong’s AI policies, educational applications, and industry advancements. Professor Helen Meng Mei-ling discussed AI’s role in empowering students, while industry leaders explored applications in big data across various sectors. At a dynamic panel discussion, titled “AI Empowerment: Bridging Innovation, Education, and Industry for Societal Impact,” CUHK scholars and industry experts shared strategies to translate research into meaningful societal outcomes.
Innovation Day engaged secondary school students through guided tours, offering hands-on interaction with CUHK’s entrepreneurial community. To amplify its reach, a Putonghua-language online guided tour was livestreamed via WeChat, connecting government, business, and academic audiences in the Chinese Mainland and fostering cross-border collaboration.
