HKPC Academy Organises “Popularisation of AI Education” Seminar Promoting the Application of AI in Education and Nurturing Interdisciplinary “AI + Talent”

(Hong Kong, 22 Nov 2023) The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought revolutionary impacts to education. The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) strives to promote advanced technology and smart campus development. HKPC Academy (the Academy) jointly organised the “AI for Education - Popularisation of AI Education” seminar with The Hong Kong Association for Computer Education (HKACE) previously, exploring the development potential and applications of AI in teaching and learning, as well as showcasing the latest education technology (EdTech) solutions. The event invited Mr Duncan CHIU, Legislative Council Member (Technology & Innovation Constituency) of HKSAR Government, Mr Wai Ming KAM, Principal of HKSKH Bishop Hall Secondary School and Honorary Chairman of HKACE, and Ms Karen FUNG, General Manager, InnoPreneur and FutureSkills of HKPC to officiate and the guest speakers to deliver keynotes speech. They shared the importance of AI education and its contribution to the digital economy development of Hong Kong.

HKPC conducted the “Hong Kong AI Industry Development Study” recently. The survey results showed that over 20% of the AI industry in Hong Kong applies to education and training, making it the third-largest industry in AI development. However, nearly 50% of the surveyed enterprises reported difficulties in recruiting technology talent. This indicates an urgent need to popularise AI education and accelerate the fostering of interdisciplinary “AI + talent”.

Ms Karen FUNG, General Manager, InnoPreneur and FutureSkills of HKPC, said, “HKPC Academy fully supports the measures outlined in the HKSAR Government’s ‘Policy Address 2023’ to promote the popularisation of AI and enlarge the talent pool. We actively collaborate with the Government, education sector and the innovation and technology (I&T) industry, leveraging our experience and expertise in training to promote EdTech. The Academy regularly organises various ‘FutureSkills’ training programmes, workshops and events, such as the ‘Learning & Teaching Expo’ supported by the Education Bureau, ‘STEAM IS Fun - Future City Parent-kid Workshop’ and ‘Robotic Workshop’, etc. We will launch popular AI-related programmes, such as ‘Unlocking Creativity by Using Generative AI’ and ‘Fortifying Your Digital Defenses: A Crack Course to Surviving Cyber Attacks’, students of primary and secondary schools are eligible to enroll in the programme. These initiatives aim to enhance their digital literacy and skills, introduce the hot trends in education and arouse their interest in technology. This helps accelerate the cultivation of interdisciplinary ‘AI + talent’ to embrace the unlimited opportunities brought by Hong Kong's I&T development.”

With the rapid development of AI, the demand for tech talent is also increasing. Prof Yun DAI, Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, said in the keynote speech, “The difficulties in promoting AI education in primary schools lie in the fact that AI is a complex interdisciplinary subject, while the students have limited cognitive abilities. Additionally, AI education goes beyond programming and computational thinking. It integrates knowledge, practical skills, values and attitudes. Furthermore, students generally have a narrow understanding of AI due to public influence.”

The seminar invited education experts to share their insights on the “Popularisation of AI Education”. They all agreed that comprehensive AI education can help individuals and enterprises seize opportunities and nurture future I&T leaders. Mr Wai Ming KAM, Principal of HKSKH Bishop Hall Secondary School and Honorary Chairman of HKACE, stated that AI is developing rapidly and bringing significant impact on all walks of life. AI education should keep pace with the times and provide students with the essential knowledge and skills needed for future workplaces. Mr Ting Hei FONG, Vice Principal of Pope Paul VI College and Co-opted Council Member of HKACE and Mr Wai Tik LO, IT and STEAM Coordinator of The Salvation Army Centaline Charity Fund Queen's Hill School, both agreed AI education helps students to broaden their horizons and develop problem-solving skills, and thus cultivate more innovative students in a long run.

On event day, over 40 education practitioners visited the “Maker Workshops” and “Smart & Secure City Hall” at the HKPC building, enabling them to understand the potential of EdTech and Smart City, as well as injecting more innovative forces into STEAM development.

For more information about HKPC Academy’s training programmes, please visit: https://www.hkpcacademy.org/en/ or email to academy@hkpc.org.

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Ms Karen FUNG, General Manager, InnoPreneur and FutureSkills of HKPC, said, HKPC Academy actively collaborates with the Government, education sector and I&T industry, leveraging our experience and expertise in training to promote EdTech.

HKPC Academy jointly organised the “AI for Education - Popularisation of AI Education” seminar with The Hong Kong Association for Computer Education previously, exploring the development potential and applications of AI in teaching and learning.