PolyU leverages AI and research strengths to empower the I&T Ecosystem in the Northern Metropolis

Organised by Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited and fully supported by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the "AI+ Innovation Awards & Future Impact Summit 2026” was successfully held on 24 June. The event aimed to promote the realisation of new quality productive forces, explore the development of the Northern Metropolis, and deepen the "Finance+" advantages, while commending outstanding leaders in the innovation and technology (I&T) sector.

Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, served as a guest speaker in the panel discussion titled "Northern Metropolis Engine — Viewing the AI Industry Cluster from the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park". He engaged in an in-depth dialogue with leaders from the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park and Microsoft, a leading global technology company, to jointly analyse the latest developments and future opportunities in Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem.

During the forum, Prof. Chao shared PolyU's core strategies and forward-looking layout under the development blueprints of the Northern Metropolis and the Loop region. He stated that Hong Kong is actively leveraging its advantage as a “Super Connector” to unite Greater Bay Area partners and build a unique tripartite collaboration model of overseas algorithms, mainland data, and Hong Kong compliance.

He added that PolyU's Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) is committed to developing low-cost, high-efficiency, cutting-edge algorithm technologies to accelerate the integration of AI into various industries. Meanwhile, he emphasised the need to accelerate the establishment of the University Town in the Northern Metropolis to create a sustainable I&T talent ecosystem, providing an inexhaustible driving force for the scientific research development of Hong Kong and the Nation.

The event also featured the 'Hong Kong AI+ and I&T Awards,' honouring entrepreneurs and professionals who successfully leveraged AI for business transformation. Categories included I&T leadership, enterprise applications, social impact, and 'new quality productive forces.

Furthermore, to further popularise I&T knowledge, five experts from PolyU participated in a four-episode interview series on Metro Finance's program “AI Evolution”. The series will delve into the latest applications and future trends of AI in four key sectors (Finance, Healthcare, Elderly care, and Education). The program will be broadcast sequentially starting in mid-July, so please stay tuned.

Looking ahead, PolyU will leverage its research strengths to deepen industry-academia-research collaboration with enterprises and institutions in the Northern Metropolis, driving I&T synergy across the Greater Bay Area.