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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have joined hands to establish the CUHK Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Research Institute in promoting development and innovation breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and related interdisciplinary areas. The inauguration ceremony was held today (27 September) on CUHK campus while guests in Shanghai participated through a video conference.

The officiating guests included Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Professor Tang Xiao-ou, Director of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Mr. Alfred Sit Wing-hang, JP, Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, Mr. Zhang Quan, Director of the Science and Technology Committee of Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr. Liu Zhi-ming, General Manager of Beijing-Hong Kong Exchange of Personnel Centre, Dr. Chen Heng, Director of the Department of Education, Science and Technology of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR, and Professor Alan K.L. Chan, Provost of CUHK. Professors Chan Wai-yee and Sham Mai-har, Pro-Vice-Chancellors of CUHK together with relevant academic members of the University and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory attended the ceremony on site and online.

Professor Tuan remarked, “The Institute will focus on the major needs of the country and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, comprising key issues in the field of AI and related disciplines, jointly creating a world-class interdisciplinary innovation platform. Riding on their unique advantages and complementary strengths, both parties will embark on establishing an open and efficient mechanism to deliver a far-reaching impact not only in original theories and innovative technologies of AI, but also multidisciplinary research and emerging industry applications.  The Institute will provide opportunities for cooperation between CUHK and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, as well as with scholars from all over the world, to give full play to the scientific research capabilities of all parties, and to promote the applications of AI research.”

Mr. Sit said, “Artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in driving the country’s upgrade and transformation of industries and smart city development. The National 14th Five-year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong’s development into an international Innovation and Technology hub. Fully complementing the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the HKSAR Government will continue to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness in innovation and technology. Over the years, we have been supporting different scientific research projects through the Innovation and Technology Fund, including projects on artificial intelligence, as well as local start-up development. SenseTime is the best illustration of a home-grown unicorn start-up. I have every confidence that collaborative project between CUHK and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory can bring R&D collaboration between the two places to the next level, contributing to the artificial intelligence development in our country as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”

Professor Tang said, “As a new national research institution in AI centred in Shanghai, our vision is to build a world-class AI laboratory, with pioneering contributions on original theories and key technologies. By strategically collaborating with top universities at home and abroad, we are establishing a network of innovation centres in Beijing, Hangzhou and other major cities. The joint launch of the CUHK Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Research Institute today signified a seminal base of Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We will work closely with CUHK to play a part of National 14th Five-year Plan blueprint and Hong Kong’s striving for an international innovation and technology hub, and contribute to an innovative future enabled by AI for all.”

CUHK and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory signed an agreement this year to carry out a full range of strategic cooperation in AI, including the recruitment of research talent, joint training of young people, innovation ecology in combining research, education and knowledge transfer, and sharing of achievements. The Institute will not only develop basic and advanced education programmes in AI, but also enhance the research collaboration and facilitate the establishment of joint platforms to meet the needs of expert training and advance the development of academic research and biotechnology. The launch of the Institute will strengthen the ties between CUHK and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory towards a long and sustainable collaboration to further explore new research areas and innovative projects.

CUHK always strives to advance the development of AI research and its applications, which is also one of the key research areas of the CUHK Strategic Plan 2021-2025.  Based on the University’s world-leading research excellence, CUHK has identified its research priorities to focus on interdisciplinary research to reach the next level of excellence and breakthrough and fulfil societal needs on a national and global scale. Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory is a national research unit engaging in strategic, original and forward-looking scientific and technological research in AI, aiming at achieving breakthroughs in foundational theories and core technologies. From their joint effort in establishing the CUHK Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, CUHK and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will collaborate to foster scientific research to target cutting‑edge fields and help Hong Kong develop into an international innovation and technology hub as laid down in the National 14th Five-year Plan.