The five-day 2024 Future Science Prize Week opened in Hong Kong on Wednesday, gathering global scientists to share the latest research advancements and practical applications of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence.
This is the second consecutive year that the event, named after the Future Science Prize, is being held in Hong Kong.
The prize was established in 2016 to honor Chinese and foreign scientists who have made outstanding scientific achievements on the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Focusing on original basic scientific research, each prize offers a reward of $1 million.
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Speaking at Future Science Prize Week’s opening forum that featured AI’s frontier research and applications, Guo Yike, provost of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said the university has focused on developing the AI discipline and integrating it into the core of scientific research, as well as encouraging students to learn more about AI.
HKUST offered a new Extended Major framework (Major+X) from 2020, and students can gain knowledge from their own majors plus innovative application of “X”, including AI, in their major areas.
Liu Qingfeng, chairman of Ifly-tek Co Ltd, a company that focuses on intelligent speech and technology, shared practical applications of AI, including an effective system designed for Hong Kong’s Legislative Council to help transcribe lawmakers’ speeches, and can reduce the time taken to do so to one-third of the original.
Liu said that human-computer collaboration technology has been widely used in different scenarios, including courts. He added that a large model brings new opportunities for general AI, including revolutionizing content production models and accelerating research efforts.
Lawmaker Duncan Chiu, who attended Wednesday’s AI forum, told China Daily that the Future Science Prize Week has gathered top scientists for further discussions on science. The fact that it has been held in Hong Kong in 2023 and 2024 recognizes the city’s status as an international innovation and technology center, Chiu added.
Chiu said he believes the event is crucial for Hong Kong’s scientific advancement as it can provide valuable insights and introduce top scientists to Hong Kong, increasing the likelihood of them establishing projects in the special administrative region.
Furthermore, for local scholars, the opportunity to interact with leading international scientists may facilitate academic breakthroughs, he said.
A science symposium will be held on Friday and Saturday, where dozens of world-renowned scientists will share scientific discoveries on cutting-edge technologies and explore interdisciplinary and innovative academic insights. The fields will include chemistry, life sciences, quantum information, mathematical insights, artificial intelligence and microchips.
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On Sunday, an awards ceremony will be held for the four scientists who won this year’s prize. Zhang Tao and Li Yadong bagged the Physical Science Prize for their seminal contributions to the development and application of single-atom catalysis. Deng Hongkui won the Life Science Prize, while Sun Binyong claimed the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize.
All four laureates are from the Chinese mainland. They will give a public lecture and have a dialogue with young people during the ceremony.
Chiu said that the cross-discipline presentations will offer a valuable learning opportunity for the local science and technology community, scientific researchers, and students. This event may also inspire students to pursue careers in science, he added.
