Government announces appointments to Board of Directors of Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute
The Government announced today (March 12) the appointments of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute, marking a milestone in the development of AI in Hong Kong.
The Board of the Institute comprises a total of 14 members, with Professor Harry Shum Heung-yeung being the Board Chairperson, and Mr Hendrick Sin being the Deputy Chairperson. The Non-official directors are appointed for a term of two years from March 13, 2026, to March 12, 2028.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, Photo source: reference image of Bastille Post
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, welcomed the Institute's new appointments. He said, "As an AI institute wholly-owned by the Government, its objectives are to spearhead and support Hong Kong's innovative research and development (R&D) as well as the industry application of AI. The Institute is an important initiative to expedite the development of AI in Hong Kong. It also serves as a key measure to align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, drive key technology development, advance the 'AI+' initiative, and promote the deeper integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation."
Professor Sun continued, "The Board consists of experts with different backgrounds and industry leaders. I am confident that the Institute, under the leadership of Professor Shum and the Board, will live up to expectations, achieve its vision and enhance Hong Kong's status in the field of AI."
The Institute aims to facilitate upstream R&D, midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes and expand application scenarios. By serving as a bridge connecting the Government, academic institutions, research entities, and the industry, the Institute will promote R&D applications and industry empowerment in AI, offer to the Government recommendations conducive to the promotion of AI development, as well as enhance public awareness, literacy, and skills in AI.
The membership of the Board of Directors of the Institute is as follows:
Professor Harry Shum Heung-yeung (Chairperson)
Mr Hendrick Sin (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leonard Chan Tik-yuen
Professor Guo Yike
Professor Alan Lam Hiu-fung
Mr Liu Lidong
Professor Ma Weiying
Professor Ma Yi
Professor Joe Qin Sizhao
Professor William Wong Kam-fai
Mr Ken Wong Kin-hang
Professor Yang Hongxia
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry or his/her representative
Commissioner for Digital Policy or his/her representative
Photo source: Reference image
DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 27) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.
In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:
- Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;
- Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;
- Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;
- Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and
- Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.
In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:
- Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;
- The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.
- Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.
The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.
Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:
- Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;
- Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
- While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;
- Seek shade;
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
- Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.
If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
For more health information, the public may visit theCHP's heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.
Source: AI-found images
