Hong Kong Forum of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Promotes Development of Smart Industries in Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area
HONG
KONG SAR - Media
OutReach - 22 March 2021 - The Hong Kong Productivity Council
(HKPC), with the funding support of the Innovation and Technology Fund of the
HKSAR Government, joined hands with the Hong Kong Society of Artificial Intelligence
and Robotics to organise the Hong Kong Forum of Artificial Intelligence and
Robotics (HKFAIR 2021) on 20 March. Through the presentations and panel
discussion with the participation from experts, local enterprises can grasp the
latest applications and development trends of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
robotics technology to help establish the relevant technology development
roadmap and smart industries in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The
opening ceremony of HKFAIR 2021 was officiated by Mr Paul
Chan, Financial Secretary,
and Mr Alfred Sit, Secretary for Innovation and Technology.
The online opening ceremony of HKFAIR 2021 was officiated by, Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary (upper left), Mr Alfred Sit, Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government (upper right), Professor Yang Qiang, President of HKSAIR (lower right) as well as Mr Willy Lin, Chairman of HKPC (lower left).
HKFAIR 2021 brought
together leading experts in AI and information technology from Mainland China
and Hong Kong, featuring six academy fellows including Professor Tan Tieniu, Member of the
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice Minister of the Liaison Office of the
Central People's Government in the HKSAR, who along with 18 experts and
representatives from world renowned companies shared on the latest development
and innovative applications of AI technology covering different sectors.
In the
panel discussion, all speakers highlighted that "data is the foundation for
AI technology". The epidemic has expedited digital transformation of
enterprises, with more data being collected to support AI technology for precise
personalised services to enhance customer experience and facilitate business
expansion. Also for 'Industry 4.0', innovative technology, as a critical
component of the smart factory, can significantly improve production process to
bring about breakthrough for smart manufacturing. As the GBA opens up its
market to more industries, Hong Kong enterprises are expected to possess large
amount of data and application scenarios in the future, realising and
facilitating the development of AI and robotics while generating vast
opportunities.
Mr Willy
Lin, Chairman of HKPC, said in his welcoming address, "HKPC strives to help Hong
Kong businesses to achieve digital transformation with diversified R&D
services, enabling enterprises to accelerate reindustrialisation with 'Industry
4.0' and 'Enterprise 4.0' so as to overcome adversity and can plan for the future.
AI and robotics technology is one of the areas in the National Key Technologies
Research and Development Program. Hong Kong not only possesses internationally-recognised
R&D results but also plays the unique role as the 'super connector' in the development
of GBA. All these will certainly expedite technology and industry upgrading.
HKPC is also active in collaborating with local and overseas R&D
organisations to promote the wider relevant applications in Hong Kong and GBA
for the development of smart industries to create new impetus for the economy."
At the
opening ceremony, Professor Yang Qiang, President of HKSAIR,
said, "There is no need to explain the importance of AI and robotics technology
as we are at the centre of the technology revolution era. HKSAIR aims to
promote the successful local application of AI and robotics industry and serve
as the bridge and catalyst between the academia and industry, and between Mainland
China and Hong Kong development. We hope to leverage the forum to foster closer
cooperation among distinguished professors and outstanding entrepreneurs in
Hong Kong and GBA, conjuring up a local AI and robotics development roadmap to
sow the seeds of prosperous development and contribute towards the synergy of
government planning, scientific research, product development and industrial
manufacturing."
One of the highlights of the forum was the
summary presentation of the "Hong Kong AI and Robotics Technology and Economic
Development Research Report". Compiled by HKPC and HKSAIR through thorough industry interviews and surveys,
the report analyses the research and application level of AI and robotics in
Hong Kong to assist business planning. The full report will be released in the
second quarter of this year, with five accompanying webinars to elaborate on
the report content in the realms of smart city, intelligent manufacturing,
smart health, smart education and FinTech for enterprises to seize on the
trends and look ahead. Those interested to learn more can visit the HKFAIR 2021
website: bit.ly/HKFAIR-2021 for more details and enrol.
HKPC is committed to
strengthening the technology application of AI and robotics among local
enterprises. Apart from organising seminars, it is also collaborating with the
internationally-renowned RWTH Aachen Campus on a number of AI and
robotics-related R&D projects to promote advanced manufacturing based on
the relevant technology for the continuous and long-term development of Hong
Kong. In addition, HKPC is offering relevant technology courses for the
industries through the "Reindustrialisation and Technology Training Programme".
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong
Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by
statute in 1967, to promote productivity excellence through integrated advanced
technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises.
HKPC is the champion and expert in facilitating Hong Kong's reindustrialisation
empowered by i4.0 and e4.0 – focusing on R&D, IoT, big data
analytics, AI and Robotic technology development, digital manufacturing,
etc., to help enterprises and industries upgrade their business performance,
lower operating costs, increase productivity and enhance competitiveness.
The Council is
a trusted partner with comprehensive innovative solutions for Hong Kong
industries and enterprises, enabling them to achieve resources and productivity
utilisation, effectiveness and cost reduction, and enhanced competitiveness in
both local and international marketplace. It offers SMEs and startups immediate
and timely assistance in coping with the ever-changing business environment,
accompanying them on their innovation and transformation journey.
In addition,
HKPC partners and collaborates with local industries and enterprises to develop
applied technology solutions for value creation. It also benefits a variety of
sectors through product innovation and technology transfer, with
commercialisation of multiple market-driven patents and technologies, bringing
enormous opportunities abound for licensing and technology transfer, both
locally and internationally.
For more information, please visit HKPC's
website: www.hkpc.org.