PolyU is at the forefront of innovation and interdisciplinary research, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). Professor Yang Hongxia, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Professor in the Department of Computing, and Executive Director of the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI), has recently received significant recognition for her impactful contributions. She was named in CoinDesk’s “Top 50 Women in Web3 & AI”, highlighting her role in shaping the future of crypto and AI.

This inaugural list celebrates 50 influential women globally who are driving advancements in these cutting-edge fields. Professor Yang’s inclusion is a testament to her groundbreaking work in AI development, especially her efforts to integrate advanced technology into practical applications across various industries, including healthcare and finance. With over 15 years of experience, she specialises in large-scale machine learning, data mining, and deep learning, having developed ten significant algorithmic systems that enhance enterprise operations.

In addition to her recognition by CoinDesk, Professor Yang has also led a research team that made the 2025 SAIL Award Top 30 List for their project “Enhancing Edge-Based Foundation Models for Advanced Reasoning”. The SAIL Award is a prestigious global accolade that honours transformative AI projects with real-world impact and societal significance, further underscoring PolyU’s leadership in AI research.

Professor Yang is a strong advocate for decentralised AI and promotes the “Model-over-Models” approach, which constructs a foundational model from stackable, domain-specific models. This innovative solution, known as InfiFusion, aims to empower industries with advanced AI capabilities. Currently, her team is working on foundational models in cutting-edge fields like healthcare, manufacturing, energy, and finance.

Focused on merging statistical innovation with healthcare and actuarial science, Professor Yang has been invited to host a high-level course titled “AI and Statistics” at the prestigious Croucher Advanced Study Institutes. She stated, “By integrating statistical principles with the capabilities of generative AI, we aim to develop more robust models that can generate realistic data, improve predictive accuracy, and provide deeper insights into complex datasets.”

These accolades reflect both Professor Yang’s achievements and PolyU’s commitment to driving transformative research in AI.