Third Young Academy of Sciences Summit Holds Successful Sub-Conference Gathers Young Research Talent to Explore AI’s Contribution to Innovation

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.

The First Sub-Conference of the Third Young Academy of Sciences Summit (YASS) continued today (21 March), bringing together leading international scientists to discuss "Cross-Organ Vascular Diseases". The event features a number of distinguished speakers, including Professor Wei KONG, Dean of the School of Basic Medical Science at Peking University, and Ms Yevgeniya NUSINOVICH, Senior Editor at Science. The presentation ceremony for the "Young Investigator Awards" and the cardiovascular research poster competition was also held today.

Today’s Sub-Conference of the Third YASS focused on exploring "Cross-Organ Vascular Diseases". The sixth session was moderated by Professor Hellmut AUGUSTIN, Professor of the Department of Vascular Biology at Heidelberg University (Third Left) .Speakers included Professor Wei KONG, Dean of the School of Basic Medical Science at Peking University (Third Right); Ms Yevgeniya NUSINOVICH, Senior Editor at Science (Second Right); Professor Ronald WANG, professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Second Left); Professor Rio SUGIMURA, Assistant Professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (First Right) and Professor Wai Ho TANG, Professor of the School of Nursing and Health Studies at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (First Left). (Photo provided by organiser)

To conclude the two-day (20 to 21 March) event – "The Second Croucher Symposium and Seventh YASS Sub-Conference" – Professor Bin ZHOU, Professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Co-Director of the CAS-CUHK Joint Laboratory for Cardiovascular Sciences, and Professor Anderson SHUM, President of the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK), delivered closing remarks. Professor Anderson SHUM emphasised that interdisciplinary collaboration is key to driving innovation, and that building platforms for cross-border, cross-disciplinary, and cross-generational exchange can help break down academic silos. He expressed hope that the event would stimulate new insights into the treatment of cardiovascular disease and facilitate the translation of research outcomes into clinical practice.

Professor Anderson SHUM, President of the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, states that cross-disciplinary collaboration is key to driving innovation. He hopes that the exchanges taking place during the Sub-Conference will generate new insights into treatments for cardiovascular disease and facilitate the translation of research into clinical practice. (Photo provided by organiser)

This event attracted nearly 300 scholars, researchers, students, and members of the public to participate both in-person and online, injecting momentum into the advancement of life sciences and healthcare innovation in Hong Kong. It was jointly organised by the CAS-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, YASHK, the Croucher Foundation and the Tencent Foundation.

Professor Bin ZHOU, Professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Co-Director of the CAS-CUHK Joint Laboratory for Cardiovascular Sciences, delivered the closing remarks at the first Sub-Conference of the third YASS. (Photo provided by organiser)

The Third YASS will host two more Sub-Conferences in June and September of this year, featuring various innovative science and technology topics and exploring future scientific development prospects.

For event details and highlights, please visit the official website: https://yass-hk.org/ or the YASHK Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yashk20190609.