Over 100 Participants Join Sub-Conference of 2nd Young Academy of Sciences Summit Focusing on Cutting-Edge AI Technologies Exploring Applications in Scientific Research and Engineering

The sub-conference of the Second Young Academy of Sciences Summit (YASS) 2024/25 was successfully held today (5 June) at InnoCentre. The event focused on one of the most significant areas of interest within the I&T industry — artificial intelligence (AI). Outstanding young scientists from different regions were invited to share their insights with more than 100 researchers, professionals,university students and members of the public at the event, with many more participating online.Together, they explored the development of AI in various fields of scientific research and engineering.

More than 100 participants attended today’s sub-conference of the Second Young Academy of Sciences Summit 2024-2025, themed AI for Science and Engineering. (Photo provided by YASS)

In his welcome speech, Professor Giulio CHIRIBELLA, Member of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK), Professor, Director of QICI Quantum Information and Computation Initiative,School of Computing and Data Science, The University of Hong Kong, noted that AI technologies have been advancing at a rapid pace in recent years. He added that in the “Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint”, the Hong Kong Government clearly stated that the AI and data science industries are key areas for further development. Last year’s “Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone” highlighted that Hong Kong Park will focus on developing cutting-edge technologies, including AI. All of these developments suggest that Hong Kong, like the Greater Bay Area and the global community, seeks to play an active role in exploring the applications of cutting-edge AI technologies.

Professor CHIRIBELLA emphasised that this sub-conference has brought together some of the finest young scientists from different regions, all specialising in AI technologies. He trusts that through the in-depth exchanges, innovative thinking would ensue, and just as importantly, participants would collectively promote the development and application of AI.

Professor Giulio CHIRIBELLA, Member of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK), said that he hoped this sub-conference would foster in-depth exchanges among young scientists, inspire innovative thinking, and encourage collaboration to advance the development and application of AI. (Photo provided by YASS)

The theme of this sub-conference was AI for Science and Engineering, with three discussion topics:"AI in Fundamental Science", "Challenges and Risks in Trustworthy AI", and “AI in Construction”.Renowned young scientists were invited to exchange ideas and insights, including Xingliang YUAN,Associate Professor, School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne; Hao SUN, Associate Professor with Tenure, Gaoling School of Artificial Intelligence, Renmin University of China; and Yuxuan DU, Assistant Professor, College of Computing and Data Science, Nanyang Technological University.

A number of topics were discussed at the YASS sub-conference, including "AI in Fundamental Science" and “Challenges and Risks in Trustworthy AI”. The event brought together many outstanding young scientists from different regions, all specialists in AI. (Photo provided by YASS)

Among the speakers, Professor Cheuk Lun CHOW, Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering of City University of Hong Kong, offered insights on “AI-driven Fire Engineering Design in Supertall Buildings”, explaining how AI can be integrated into construction.

Professor Shiqi WANG, Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Science of City University of Hong Kong, gave a talk on the subject “Towards Trustworthy Vision AI: Bridging Explanation,Security, Privacy, and Forensics”, in which he weighed the potential risks and challenges associated with AI.

More than 100 participants attended today’s sub-conference of the Second Young Academy of Sciences Summit 2024-2025, themed AI for Science and Engineering. (Photo provided by YASS)

This YASS sub-conference is organised by YASHK with the Greater Bay Area Homeland Investment Limited, the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation and the World Association of Young Scientists serving as co-organisers.

The Second Sub-Conference of the Third Young Academy of Sciences Summit (YASS) was held today (10 June). It brought together scientists from across the country to discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The Sub-Conference featured three thematic sessions: "Exploring the Boundaries of Intelligence", "AI for Scientific Discovery", and "From Lab to Industry", attracting nearly 150 in-person attendees, with many more joining via live stream.

The Sub-Conference explored the latest developments in artificial intelligence technology, with the first session themed "Exploring the Boundaries of Intelligence”. A panel discussion was also held during the event. (Photo provided by the organiser)

This event was jointly organised by The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK), the Tencent Charity Foundation, the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China, and the Beijing-Hong Kong Exchange of Personnel Centre. In her opening remarks, Ms Lillian CHEONG, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, noted that the National 15th Five-Year Plan has identified AI as a key strategic priority. She emphasised that the HKSAR Government is stepping up the promotion of AI as a core industry for Hong Kong's development, creating a comprehensive framework for the sector’s high-quality growth. The government will continue to collaborate with various universities to refine the AI talent cultivation system and strengthen Hong Kong's AI talent cultivation network. She also observed that the Sub-Conference will help stimulate new ideas, deepen cross-regional collaboration, and contribute to the development of an AI innovation ecosystem for both Hong Kong and the nation.

Ms Lillian CHEONG, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, noted that the Sub-Conference, which brought together scientists to explore developments in AI research, will help drive the advancement of innovation and technology in Hong Kong and across the nation. (Photo provided by the organiser)

Professor Anderson SHUM, President of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, expressed his gratitude to the HKSAR Government for its increased investment in local scientific research in recent years. He stated that AI is a core driver of global technological transformation and industrial upgrading, as well as a key area of innovation for Hong Kong's strategic layout. He hopes that this prominent platform will facilitate in-depth knowledge exchange among leading scientists from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and overseas, promoting cross-disciplinary and cross-regional cooperation while accelerating the translation of scientific research findings into practical applications. Ms Tong YANG, Program Director of the Tencent Charity Foundation, and Ms Jin ZHU, Deputy Secretary-General of the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China, also delivered welcoming remarks at the event.

Professor Anderson SHUM, President of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, said that he hopes that this prominent platform will facilitate in-depth knowledge exchange among leading scientists from different regions, promoting cross-disciplinary and cross-regional cooperation while accelerating the translation of scientific research findings into practical applications. (Photo provided by the organiser)

Several scientists delivered keynote speeches at the Sub-Conference. Among them were Professor Yi MA, Inaugural Director of the School of Computing and Data Science and Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence at The University of Hong Kong, and Professor Qian ZHANG, Tencent Professor of Engineering, Head and Chair Professor of the Division of Integrative System and Design at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Additionally, Professor Li SU, Head of the Artificial Intelligence and Computational Neuroscience Group at the University of Sheffield, explored the application of AI in the field of neuroscience and explained how the technology is moving from the laboratory to industry. Professor Chun Kit KWOK, Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health at the City University of Hong Kong, presented a speech titled "Decoding RNA Shapes", in which he explained how novel experimental tools can be combined with AI.

The Second Sub-Conference of the Third Young Academy of Sciences Summit was held today (10 June) with almost 150 participants in attendance. Ms Lillian CHEONG, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government (seventh right); Professor Anderson SHUM, President of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (eighth right), Ms Tong YANG, Program Director of the Tencent Charity Foundation (sixth right), and Ms Jin ZHU, Deputy Secretary-General of the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China (seventh left) officiated at the opening ceremony. (Photo provided by the organiser)

The Third Young Academy of Sciences Summit will host another sub-conference in September 2026. Centred around the theme of new energy, the upcoming event will jointly explore and envision the future prospects of scientific development.

Details of the Second Sub-Conference can be found on the official website: https://yass-hk.org/ or on the YASHK Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yashk20190609.