HONG KONG, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) welcomes the Hong Kong SAR Government's appointment of Prof Chan Chi-hou as the new Board Chairman, effective 21 October 2026, for a two-year term. He succeeds Ir Prof Sunny Lee, who concludes a seven-year tenure as ASTRI's Board Chairman on 20 October 2026.
Prof Chan Chi-hou said: "I am deeply honoured that the Hong Kong SAR Government has entrusted me to serve ASTRI and contribute to our country and Hong Kong's technological innovation and development goals outlined in the Nation's 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong's first five-year plan. I would also like to thank Ir Prof Sunny Lee for his visionary leadership, particularly in steering the successful merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI), which has strengthened ASTRI's interdisciplinary research and development (R&D) capabilities and heightened its profile at home and abroad."
"As Hong Kong accelerates investment in technology infrastructure and talent development, I look forward to working closely with fellow Board members and Ir Dr Ted Suen, CEO of ASTRI, to advance innovation, foster collaboration across government, industry, academia, research, and investment communities, and expedite the commercialisation and adoption of research outcomes. Together, we will help enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness, create greater value for society and reinforce the city's position as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub," he added.
Prof Chan is an internationally-recognised expert in applied electromagnetics, terahertz science and wireless communications. He currently serves as Vice-President (Community Engagement), Director of the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimetre Waves, and Chair Professor of Electronic Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Before joining CityU in 1996, he was a tenured Associate Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Washington, and a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Illinois. He obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees from The Ohio State University and his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. An IEEE Fellow, Prof Chan has received numerous international honours in recognition of his pioneering research and contributions to the field.
Outgoing Chairman Ir Prof Sunny Lee congratulated Prof Chan on the appointment and said: "It has been my great privilege to serve on ASTRI's Board as a member and Chairman for nearly 14 years to witness its remarkable growth into a leading R&D centre that delivers tangible impact for industry, the economy and society. I am confident that, with Prof Chan's distinguished expertise, strategic vision and extensive leadership experience, ASTRI will continue to scale new heights, drive impactful innovations and accelerate the translation of research excellence into real-world applications, creating lasting value for Hong Kong and beyond."
Under Ir Prof Lee's stewardship, ASTRI has actively supported national development priorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government's policy agenda. Leveraging Hong Kong's unique role as a super-connector between Chinese Mainland and the world, ASTRI has reinforced its position bridging stakeholders in the global I&T ecosystem.
Six New Board Members Appointed
In addition, the Hong Kong SAR Government has appointed six new members to the ASTRI Board: Prof Chan Shing-chow, Professor & Associate Dean (Masters), Faculty of Engineering, University of Hong Kong; Mr Ricky Chan Wai-chung, Chief Executive Officer, Jing Mei Automotive Limited; Mr Alan Chiu Chi-wai, Managing Partner, ELLALAN; Ms Irene Chow Man-ling, Director, DSL Investments Limited; Mr Hui Chi-wai, Chief Executive Officer (AXM), ASMPT SEMI China (AXM); and Prof Gary Wong Ka-leung, Associate Provost (Quality Assurance and Accountability) and Chair Professor, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong. Their two-year terms will run from 21 October 2026 to 20 October 2028.
ASTRI expresses its heartfelt gratitude to outgoing Board Chairman Ir Prof Sunny Lee and members Dr Felix Chow Bok-hin, Mr Theodore Ma Heng, Dr Alfred Ng Man-cheuk, Ir Dr Samson Tai Kin-hon and Mr Anthony Tong Tat-hay for their dedicated service and invaluable guidance.
Effective from 21 October 2026, the members of ASTRI's Board of Directors are as follows:
Chairman
Members (listed in alphabetical order of surname)
- Prof Chan Shing-chow
- Mr Ricky Chan Wai-chung
- Prof Christopher Chao Yu-hang
- Prof Cheng Shuk-han, MH
- Mr Alan Chiu Chi-wai
- Mr Jason Chiu Tsz-kiu, JP
- Ms Irene Chow Man-ling, JP
- Mr Dennis Ho Chiu-ping
- Mr William Ho Tat
- Mr Hui Chi-wai
- Ir Arthur Lee Kam-hung
- Hon Jack Ng Wun-kit, JP
- Architect So Ching, JP
- Prof Michael Tse Chi-kong
- Prof Martin Wong Ding-fat
- Prof Gary Wong Ka-leung
- Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui, BBS, JP
Official Members
- Mr Kevin Choi, JP, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
- Mr Ivan KB Lee, JP, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology
Photos Download: https://bit.ly/4B1pToO
About ASTRI
Founded in 2000 by the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is the city's largest government-funded R&D centre. Committed to transforming high-impact research into practical innovations, ASTRI drives market-driven, interdisciplinary advancements across sectors, including Smart City, FinTech, Digital Health and Life Sciences, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Advanced Electronics, New Energy and Energy Storage, and Green and ESG Technologies. Following its merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, ASTRI has further strengthened its capabilities, with over 1,500 patents and 2,200 successful cases of technology transfer. Recognised with numerous international awards, ASTRI continues to nurture top I&T talent and foster collaborations among the I&T ecosystem, contributing to Hong Kong's high-value economic development. For more information, please visit: https://www.astri.org
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ASTRI Welcomes Government Appointments of New Board Chairman and Board Members
- Text, image, and video inputs generate audio and enable detailed modification through "Multitrack"
- Special release promotion offers 50% discount on the first month's subscription fee and bonus points
- Conversational AI "Sound Agent" uses natural language processing, allowing intuitive and accurate arrangements
- Desktop application and Unity plugin allow seamless integration with existing workflows
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Create and arrange a variety of sounds for a single scene with VARCO Sound, the multitrack AI sound generator.
Multimodal AI company NC AI announced the official release of its generative AI platform, VARCO Sound, on the 20th. Users can easily generate and edit scene-appropriate audio using text, images, and videos. VARCO Sound is designed to help developers and producers who are unfamiliar with sound design bring their creative ideas to life with high-quality soundtracks.
Users can also access the web version of VARCO Sound by signing up on the official website.
NC AI also announced a promotion for VARCO Sound and the AI 3D generator VARCO 3D, running until Nov. 30 following the release. The offer supports continued creation by making AI-based content generation tools more accessible and is available to both new members and existing members who have been using the free version.
Users who make their first purchase during the promotion can receive a 50% discount on the first month of their subscription. Additional bonus points will also be provided, with higher-tier subscriptions receiving even more points. This offer is available once per account for VARCO Sound and VARCO 3D each.
Events will also be held in the official VARCO Discord community. Users who join through the dedicated links provided in each service announcement can enjoy one month of free access to the VARCO 3D Plus plan or the VARCO Sound Lite plan. The first 100 users to join the community will receive the exclusive "VARCO OG" title. In addition, the top five users who share game assets created with VARCO 3D in the community will be selected to receive service credits and titles. Event periods and participation details are available in the Discord announcements for each service
VARCO Sound is a comprehensive platform that allows users to generate and fine-tune audio tracks for content such as games, videos, and animations. Users can describe the desired audio through text or upload an image or video, and the AI analyzes the input to generate scene-appropriate Foley sounds, sound effects, ambient audio, and more.
The tool's most unique feature is its ability to provide separate tracks for each audio source rather than a single audio file. Users can check each track individually, adjust its volume, or replace specific sound effects to further polish the result and better realize their creative vision.
In addition, the "Variation" feature allows users to build on their existing work. Users can upload an original sample to generate variations while preserving its texture and nuance. This substantially reduces the time required to refine ideas and develop prototypes.
The entire generation and editing process can be conducted through natural language using the conversational AI "Sound Agent." A simple description of the desired outcome is analyzed by the AI agent, which automatically applies the appropriate features, lowering the entry barrier for new users.
Furthermore, VARCO Sound comes with an automatic volume mixer feature that prevents sounds from clashing when multiple tracks are played simultaneously. The AI examines and adjusts the volume balance between different tracks so that no sound is too loud or too quiet.
Currently, the maximum length of an audio file that can be generated is 60 seconds, and NC AI plans to continue improving the tool's performance to support video inputs of up to 120 seconds.
NC AI has also released a desktop application and a Unity plugin that allows the tool to seamlessly integrate into the existing workflows of creators. Assets created through the desktop application can be dragged and dropped into other DAWs for immediate use. A personalized library search feature based on natural language and audio will be added in the future to further streamline each user's workflow.
Moreover, the Unity plugin was selected as a Unity Verified Solution, demonstrating its performance and compatibility. The plugin allows game developers to stay within the Unity engine while creating audio tracks using just text and images and immediately apply them to their projects using the built-in editing tools.
NC AI's CEO Yeonsoo Lee said, "VARCO Sound has evolved into an 'AI platform designed for professional needs' that boosts creators' efficiency without disrupting their existing workflows." Yeonsoo Lee added, "We will establish a new paradigm in the global audio creation ecosystem through continuous technological advancement and seamless integration with a wide range of external platforms."
About NC AI
NC AI leverages over a decade of game AI expertise to develop advanced multimodal and Physical
AI solutions for digital content and industrial sectors. Under its proprietary VARCO brand, the company delivers generative AI tools spanning text, audio, and 3D assets. Under the VAETKI brand, NC AI expanding into Physical AI including Digital Twins, World Models, and Robot Foundation Models (RFM). NC AI applies virtual simulation and reinforcement learning to mission-critical industries like defense and smart manufacturing, seamlessly connecting digital intelligence to physical execution.
NC AI Official Website and Social Media
| Websites Company Website: https://nc-ai.com/
Official LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nc-ai/
Official Blog: https://medium.com/nc-ai
Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/ncai_official/
Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nc_ai/
Official Discord: https://discord.gg/uTBqazNuKr
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Create and arrange a variety of sounds for a single scene with VARCO Sound, the multitrack AI sound generator.
Multimodal AI company NC AI announced the official release of its generative AI platform, VARCO Sound, on the 20th. Users can easily generate and edit scene-appropriate audio using text, images, and videos. VARCO Sound is designed to help developers and producers who are unfamiliar with sound design bring their creative ideas to life with high-quality soundtracks.
Users can also access the web version of VARCO Sound by signing up on the official website.
NC AI also announced a promotion for VARCO Sound and the AI 3D generator VARCO 3D, running until Nov. 30 following the release. The offer supports continued creation by making AI-based content generation tools more accessible and is available to both new members and existing members who have been using the free version.
Users who make their first purchase during the promotion can receive a 50% discount on the first month of their subscription. Additional bonus points will also be provided, with higher-tier subscriptions receiving even more points. This offer is available once per account for VARCO Sound and VARCO 3D each.
Events will also be held in the official VARCO Discord community. Users who join through the dedicated links provided in each service announcement can enjoy one month of free access to the VARCO 3D Plus plan or the VARCO Sound Lite plan. The first 100 users to join the community will receive the exclusive "VARCO OG" title. In addition, the top five users who share game assets created with VARCO 3D in the community will be selected to receive service credits and titles. Event periods and participation details are available in the Discord announcements for each service
VARCO Sound is a comprehensive platform that allows users to generate and fine-tune audio tracks for content such as games, videos, and animations. Users can describe the desired audio through text or upload an image or video, and the AI analyzes the input to generate scene-appropriate Foley sounds, sound effects, ambient audio, and more.
The tool's most unique feature is its ability to provide separate tracks for each audio source rather than a single audio file. Users can check each track individually, adjust its volume, or replace specific sound effects to further polish the result and better realize their creative vision.
In addition, the "Variation" feature allows users to build on their existing work. Users can upload an original sample to generate variations while preserving its texture and nuance. This substantially reduces the time required to refine ideas and develop prototypes.
The entire generation and editing process can be conducted through natural language using the conversational AI "Sound Agent." A simple description of the desired outcome is analyzed by the AI agent, which automatically applies the appropriate features, lowering the entry barrier for new users.
Furthermore, VARCO Sound comes with an automatic volume mixer feature that prevents sounds from clashing when multiple tracks are played simultaneously. The AI examines and adjusts the volume balance between different tracks so that no sound is too loud or too quiet.
Currently, the maximum length of an audio file that can be generated is 60 seconds, and NC AI plans to continue improving the tool's performance to support video inputs of up to 120 seconds.
NC AI has also released a desktop application and a Unity plugin that allows the tool to seamlessly integrate into the existing workflows of creators. Assets created through the desktop application can be dragged and dropped into other DAWs for immediate use. A personalized library search feature based on natural language and audio will be added in the future to further streamline each user's workflow.
Moreover, the Unity plugin was selected as a Unity Verified Solution, demonstrating its performance and compatibility. The plugin allows game developers to stay within the Unity engine while creating audio tracks using just text and images and immediately apply them to their projects using the built-in editing tools.
NC AI's CEO Yeonsoo Lee said, "VARCO Sound has evolved into an 'AI platform designed for professional needs' that boosts creators' efficiency without disrupting their existing workflows." Yeonsoo Lee added, "We will establish a new paradigm in the global audio creation ecosystem through continuous technological advancement and seamless integration with a wide range of external platforms."
About NC AI
NC AI leverages over a decade of game AI expertise to develop advanced multimodal and Physical
AI solutions for digital content and industrial sectors. Under its proprietary VARCO brand, the company delivers generative AI tools spanning text, audio, and 3D assets. Under the VAETKI brand, NC AI expanding into Physical AI including Digital Twins, World Models, and Robot Foundation Models (RFM). NC AI applies virtual simulation and reinforcement learning to mission-critical industries like defense and smart manufacturing, seamlessly connecting digital intelligence to physical execution.
NC AI Official Website and Social Media
| Websites Company Website: https://nc-ai.com/
Official LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nc-ai/
Official Blog: https://medium.com/nc-ai
Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/ncai_official/
Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nc_ai/
Official Discord: https://discord.gg/uTBqazNuKr
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
NC AI Officially Releases VARCO Sound, the Generative AI Sound Production Service
