Public Lectures on AI and STEAM Education at Hong Kong Science Museum This November

Research Grants Council to present public lecture on "AI: Enhancing Digital Trust and Physical Wellness"

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

Pursuant to the Government's initiative to bolster STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education at the primary and secondary school levels, as well as to step up efforts in identifying and nurturing local STEAM talent, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will organise a series of public lectures in November. Various topics including artificial intelligence (AI) and universe exploration will be covered. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.

The lecture titled "AI: Enhancing Digital Trust and Physical Wellness" will be held on November 21 (Saturday). The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese. Details are as follows:

Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Venue: Lecture Hall, 1/F, Hong Kong Science Museum

Live broadcast: Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hkscm) or

YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/hksciencemuseum)of the Hong Kong Science Museum

Session 1: "Building Digital Trust via Societal AI: Automated Fact-Checking against Misinformation"

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In today's digital world, the rapid spread of both human- and AI-generated misinformation poses a serious threat to public trust and societal stability. This lecture, presented by Associate Professor in the Department of Interactive Media, School of Communication, and Director of the AI and Social Good Lab at the AI Media Centre, Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Li Yupeng, explores how Societal AI can address this challenge through advanced, scalable automated fact-checking systems. The lecture will also discuss how practical approaches to verifying information have evolved effectively and reliably through the integration of AI technologies with computational social science research and societal insights.

Session 2: "Enhancing the Teaching and Learning of Sport and Physical Education through the Application of Artificial Intelligence"

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While information technology and AI are widely adopted in mainstream academic subjects in schools, their application in sport and physical education is relatively scarce. This lecture, presented by Chair Professor of Physical Education and Sports Science and Head of the Department of Health and Physical Education at the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Amy Ha, will introduce some emerging AI tools used for the assessment of the quality (i.e. sports skill proficiency) and quantity (i.e. fitness performance) of physical activities. The lecture will also discuss how these tools may transform physical education classrooms, and how they could promote children's healthy and active lifestyles.

The RGC has been regularly organising public lectures since 2009, featuring various distinguished scholars as speakers. These lectures aim to promote research knowledge from Hong Kong's tertiary institutions and raise public awareness of the significance and value of local research work.

For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). Additionally, members of the public can register for the RGC's email subscription service atwww.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribeto receive regular updates.

Source: AI-found images

Government to introduce Centre for Medical Products Regulation Bill into LegCo

The Centre for Medical Products Regulation Bill was gazetted today (November 13) to establish the statutory status of the Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) and rationalise the regulatory framework for Chinese and Western medicines as well as that for medical devices in the future.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "The establishment of the CMPR marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's regulatory reform of medical products. The Government will comprehensively and proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, fully leveraging Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of the strong support of the motherland and connection to the world under the 'one country, two systems' principle. We will establish a proactive mechanism for the evaluation and approval of medical products, enabling advanced products to be introduced into Hong Kong more quickly for the benefit of patients and developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.

"We will continue to deepen collaboration with regulatory authorities around the world and pursue recognition from international authorities. Our long-term goal is to develop the CMPR into an internationally recognised regulatory authority for medical products."

The major proposals under the Bill include: (1) establishing the CMPR as a body corporate to represent Hong Kong, China in international regulatory affairs concerning medical products and establish formal, long-term working relationships with leading regulatory authorities worldwide; (2) building on the existing legislation to transfer the relevant regulatory powers and functions concerning Chinese and Western medicines, currently vested in the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong, the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong and their committees and those of medical devices after legislation in the future, to the Director of Health, with a view to unifying the regulatory framework; and (3) enhancing the relevant supporting mechanisms and making necessary technical amendments.

Professor Lo emphasised, "The Government is committed to providing a world-class and modern regulatory environment to accelerate the clinical application of innovative medical products while ensuring their safety, quality and efficacy, making good drugs and medical devices available for use in Hong Kong. We will also support the emerging biomedicine industry in the research and development of innovative medical products, facilitating their introduction into Hong Kong and expansion into international markets."

The Government consulted the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Health Services on relevant legislative proposals in April this year and has maintained communication with the Chinese and Western medicine sectors and other stakeholders to listen to their views.

The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for the First Reading on November 25.

Source: AI-found images