HKPC "2025 Winter InnoTalent Programme" Gathers Global I&T Talent to Strengthen Hong Kong's Position as an International High‑Calibre Talent Hub

HONG KONG, Jan. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) celebrated the successful conclusion of its "2025 Winter InnoTalent Programme" (Winter Internship Programme) with a graduation ceremony, recognising 30 young global talents for their outstanding performance during their six‑week internship. The Winter Internship Programme proved highly effective in nurturing top I&T talent and reinforced Hong Kong's critical role in connecting the Chinese Mainland with global talent ecosystems.

The Winter Internship Programme received an overwhelming response, attracting over 1,800 applications worldwide. The 30 selected interns came from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, the United States, Australia and India, as well as several Belt and Road countries, including Indonesia, Korea, New Zealand, Russia and Pakistan. They hail from world-renowned institutions, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Peking University, the University of Melbourne, the University of New South Wales and Fudan University, as well as leading Hong Kong universities including The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Over 60% of the interns have majored in STEM‑related disciplines—including Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science—while others possess backgrounds in economics, finance and management, reflecting Hong Kong's need for interdisciplinary talent development and underscoring the city's strong appeal to young I&T talent worldwide.

Aligning with the "15^th Five-Year Plan" to Nurture I&T Talents with Global Vision
HKPC has proactively aligned with the national "15^th Five-Year Plan", which supports developing Hong Kong and Macao as an international hub for high‑calibre tech talent and promotes strategic Belt and Road cooperation. As a flagship HKPC talent initiative, the "InnoTalent Programme" seeks to inspire young people's innovation spirit and unleash their potential. The programme also provides students from Belt and Road economies with valuable opportunities to gain in‑depth exposure to Hong Kong's I&T industry. The goal is to encourage the pursuit of further careers in Hong Kong after graduation and strengthen collaboration and exchange in I&T and talent development between Hong Kong and partner economies.

Diverse Hands‑on Learning to Stay Ahead of I&T Developments
The six‑week internship closely aligns with Hong Kong's I&T development priorities, focusing on technology application, business analysis and innovation management, while equipping interns with a comprehensive understanding of I&T knowledge and industry trends. Under the guidance of HKPC's professional teams, interns actively participated across multiple divisions, applying innovative technologies to address real‑world business challenges and further deepening their understanding of Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem.

To broaden the understanding of interns across the I&T landscape in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA), HKPC arranged a series of field trips. These included a visit to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, where interns observed how intelligent technologies are enhancing public service efficiency. They also visited the Hongrita Group's smart factory in Zhongshan, where they learned how automation and smart manufacturing are leveraged to boost productivity. The visits deepened interns' understanding of regional I&T collaboration and supply‑chain integration.

A key highlight of the Winter Internship Programme, the "Dare to Try" competition showcased the standout learning outcomes from the six‑week internship. The 30 interns were divided into five teams and, under the guidance of mentors, developed AI‑driven innovative concepts, which they presented to HKPC's management at the graduation ceremony. Team Echolink was ultimately named as overall programme champion.

Mr. Mohamed D. BUTT, MH, Executive Director of HKPC, said: "HKPC has been actively supporting the development of Hong Kong as a hub for high‑calibre talent, as nurturing young people with a global vision is a vital driver of I&T development. Through hands‑on experience, the 'InnoTalent Programme' enables students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Hong Kong's and the Greater Bay Area's I&T ecosystem, laying a solid foundation for their future careers in the sector. We believe that this year's young talents gathered from around the world will elevate Hong Kong as an ideal platform in connecting the Chinese Mainland with the global innovation community, while creating greater value for I&T development."

Multiple programme interns shared how the six‑week internship experience had deepened their understanding of Hong Kong's I&T development. Hermione, an intern from Hong Kong currently studying at Peking University, said: "The Winter Internship Programme allowed me to see Hong Kong's I&T landscape in action and gain a deeper understanding of the city's role in connecting the Mainland Chinese with the international community. The professional guidance from HKPC mentors helped me learn how to translate research ideas into application‑ready outcomes, broaden my industry perspective, and lay an important foundation for my future career in the I&T sector."

Applications are now open for the "2026 Summer InnoTalent Programme". Local and overseas university students are welcome to apply and experience Hong Kong's vibrant I&T ecosystem first‑hand. For more details and application information, please visit the programme website.

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About the Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries. 

HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC's world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.

To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong's strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.

HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical , assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit HKPC's website: www.hkpc.org/en.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

HKPC "2025 Winter InnoTalent Programme" Gathers Global I&T Talent to Strengthen Hong Kong's Position as an International High‑Calibre Talent Hub

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The article is from Shuzhi Society:

Dreame Robot Laundry today unveiled its latest innovations at a global launch event in Silicon Valley of its L9 AI Washer & Dryer Set and the groundbreaking Embodied AI Laundry Robot. Developed through long-term research into real household habits, this solution moves laundry from chores to seamless, intelligent care.

Embodied AI Laundry Robot: Moving Beyond Automation

"We're not just automating tasks — we're building true autonomy," said David Ye, Spokesperson for Dreame Laundry. The newly unveiled laundry robot is powered by Dreame's self-developed multimodal AI system, combining visual recognition, spatial perception, and tactile feedback.

The robot can independently complete the full laundry workflow -- handling everything from sorting to loading with human-like care. Its bionic arm, trained through reinforcement learning, adapts to different fabrics and shapes, while real-time mapping and obstacle avoidance allow it to operate smoothly in dynamic home environments. By learning user habits, the system shifts laundry from a passive task to a proactive service.

Designed for real homes, the robot completes the full laundry cycle independently and learns preferences over time for personalized support. It can work seamlessly with the L9 set, closing the loop on end-to-end autonomous laundry.

L9 AI Washer & Dryer Set: A New Standard for Smart Laundry

Also unveiled was the L9 AI Dual Inverter Washer & Dryer Set, designed as a fully integrated smart laundry system rather than a standalone appliance.

It brings together four proprietary systems designed to support complete fabric care. MousseBloom Foam Wash creates dense foam that penetrates fabric fibers to improve oil removal while helping minimize residue and wear. Drying is handled by a Dual Inverter Heat Pump, which delivers efficient airflow with lower noise and reduced energy consumption. After a cycle ends, FreshLoop Plasma Air Circulation can gently tumble garments for up to 12 hours to help prevent odors and wrinkles. For delicate and premium clothing, PressFree Steam Care smooths garments in about 25 minutes, enabling a ready-to-wear result.

Shaping the Future of Intelligent Homes

Launching in Silicon Valley underscores Dreame Laundryrobot's ambition to lead the next phase of smart home evolution. The debut signals a shift from isolated smart appliances to embodied intelligence—systems capable of perception, reasoning, and autonomous execution.

With its AI-powered robot and integrated laundry ecosystem, Dreame Laundryrobot is redefining what intelligent home care can be, paving the way for a more seamless, autonomous, and human-centric future.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Dreame Unveils Embodied AI Laundry Robot and L9 AI Washer & Dryer Set in Silicon Valley