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InnoTech Forum 2024 Highlights Hong Kong's AI and Green Energy Innovation Strategies

HK

InnoTech Forum 2024 Highlights Hong Kong's AI and Green Energy Innovation Strategies
HK

HK

InnoTech Forum 2024 Highlights Hong Kong's AI and Green Energy Innovation Strategies

2024-10-18 17:50 Last Updated At:17:58

InvestHK and media partner South China Morning Post take deep dive into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem at InnoTech Forum 2024

Organised by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) along with media partner South China Morning Post, the InnoTech Forum 2024 took place today (October 18) at the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel and was attended by over 200 guests. Through keynote addresses, in-depth panel discussions and presentations, the full-day forum provided audience members with an engaging discussion on the development of Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem, long-term strategic plans and the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and new energy technologies in reshaping the city and the economy.

During his keynote address at the forum, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "AI remains a key driver of I&T and business development. The Government has invested billions of dollars in cultivating an all-round AI ecosystem here in Hong Kong. Cyberport will soon put into operation its AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) to support the strong computing demand from universities, research institutes and the industry. To support the commissioning of the AISC, the Government has allocated $3 billion to launch a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme. The Policy Address announced that the Government will pilot the use of a generative AI document processing copilot application, developed on the basis of a locally trained large language model, within the Government. In fact, a number of the hundred digital government and smart city initiatives that the Government presses ahead for rollout this year and next will make use of AI technology. Hong Kong stands on the cusp of making ground-breaking strides by capitalising on the vast potential of AI and other cutting-edge technologies. We are partners in this journey to seize the opportunities that lie ahead."

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said, "In pursuit of carbon neutrality, green transformation is becoming a global trend and this will continue in the coming decades, triggering tremendous demands for green energy and various low-carbon technologies. Hydrogen is a secondary carrier of energy and is highly energy-efficient with less polluting potential. The Government published the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in June this year. The Strategy puts forward four major strategies, namely improving legislations, establishing standards, aligning with the market, and advancing with prudence, with a view to getting the laws, standards and the basic infrastructure ready so as to create an environment conducive to the development of hydrogen energy in a prudent and orderly manner. By leveraging our advantage as an international hub, backed by our motherland and with innovation and devotion of the city, we can position Hong Kong as a key driver of hydrogen economy, towards carbon neutrality as well as a sustainable and prosperous future."

The discussion at the forum explored the importance of AI and new energy in integrating sustainability and resilience into modern cities, with panel discussions on the following topics:

  • developing the AI ecosystem for long-term success with a focus on recent advancements in Hong Kong, including the development of cutting-edge infrastructure, talent cultivation, commercialisation of research, and financial incentives, and how a robust and sustainable AI ecosystem can benefit Hong Kong;
  • real-life applications of AI in Hong Kong and beyond highlighting the latest trends and developments of AI innovations and how the city's connected innovation system supports their growth on a global scale;
  • How hydrogen is emerging as a core new energy priority, in line with the Hong Kong Government's recently published hydrogen development strategy; and
  • imagining Hong Kong's future with innovative energy projects and how the city will evolve as these technologies mature and scale.
  • The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "This Forum has fostered meaningful dialogue, inspired new ideas and catalysed further collaboration between the Government, industry, academia and relevant stakeholders. As indicated in “The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address” a couple of days ago, the Government has always spearheaded and enhanced the development of Hong Kong's I&T industries and will continue to do so. Working together, we believe Hong Kong can remain at the forefront of innovation, harnessing the power of both AI and energy technologies to build a prosperous and sustainable future."

    The Head of Innovation and Technology at InvestHK,MrAndy Wong, said, "AI is one of the strategic pillars in our Government's agenda to drive digital economy. To accelerate its development, the Government is establishing the AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) and has set aside $3 billion to support the use of AISC financially. On the hydrogen front, legislation and standards shall be optimised to align with technology and market development, as well as enabling the trial of different hydrogen-related projects. All these will further propel Hong Kong to be a top-notch international innovation and technology hub, as well as a 'living lab' for technology to be adopted in other markets."

    InvestHK and media partner South China Morning Post take deep dive into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem at InnoTech Forum 2024  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    InvestHK and media partner South China Morning Post take deep dive into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem at InnoTech Forum 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    InvestHK and media partner South China Morning Post take deep dive into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem at InnoTech Forum 2024  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    InvestHK and media partner South China Morning Post take deep dive into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem at InnoTech Forum 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Science Museum's "The Shaw Prize 2024 Exhibition" showcases laureates' achievements in scientific research

    The Hong Kong Science Museum will launch "The Shaw Prize 2024 Exhibition" tomorrow (November 8) at the museum's main lobby on 1/F, to introduce the Shaw Laureates this year and their outstanding contributions. The exhibition also presents basic science knowledge in the laureates' respective academic fields with interactive panels, enabling visitors to understand more about the major efforts and achievements in scientific research by top-notch scientists worldwide. The exhibition will run until January 8 next year, and admission is free.

    Established in 2002, the Shaw Prize consists of three annual awards, namely the Prize in Astronomy, the Prize in Life Science and Medicine and the Prize in Mathematical Sciences. The Shaw Prize laureate in Astronomy 2024 is George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science, Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology, the United States (US), Professor Shrinivas R Kulkarni. He is awarded the Shaw Prize for his groundbreaking discoveries about millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae and other variable or transient astronomical objects.

    The Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine 2024 is awarded in equal shares to two scholars, Senior Investigator and Chief of the Sickle Cell Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health, the US, Ms Swee Lay Thein, and David G Nathan Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, the US, Professor Stuart Orkin. They discovered the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch, making possible a revolutionary and highly effective genome-editing therapy for sickle cell anemia and β thalassemia, which are devastating blood diseases that affect millions of people worldwide.

    The Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences 2024 is awarded to Eugene Higgins Professor of Mathematics, Princeton University and Professor Emeritus, School of Mathematics, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, the US, Professor Peter Sarnak, for his development of the arithmetic theory of thin groups and the affine sieve, by bringing together number theory, analysis, combinatorics, dynamics, geometry and spectral theory.

    The Shaw Prize 2024 laureates will gather at the Roundtable with Shaw Laureates on November 14 at the Hong Kong Science Museum to share their personal experiences during research journeys, focusing on interpersonal and international communication and collaboration, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the entire scientific community under the theme "Future of Science: Breakthroughs and Impacts".

    The Shaw Prize 2024 exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Shaw Prize Foundation, and is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Education City. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/shawprize.html, or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.

    Hong Kong Science Museum's "The Shaw Prize 2024 Exhibition" showcases laureates' achievements in scientific research  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Science Museum's "The Shaw Prize 2024 Exhibition" showcases laureates' achievements in scientific research Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Science Museum's "The Shaw Prize 2024 Exhibition" showcases laureates' achievements in scientific research  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Science Museum's "The Shaw Prize 2024 Exhibition" showcases laureates' achievements in scientific research Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Science Museum's "The Shaw Prize 2024 Exhibition" showcases laureates' achievements in scientific research  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Science Museum's "The Shaw Prize 2024 Exhibition" showcases laureates' achievements in scientific research Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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