HKUST and Forum of Young Global Leaders, an Initiative of the World Economic Forum, Launch Immersive AI Dialogue
Featuring an Open Lecture on How Technology Powers Tomorrow's Self-Driving World
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is honored to host the Forum of Young Global Leaders 2025 for a five-day Education Module titled "Our AI Future Is Now." In its third year, this immersive program runs from December 1 to 5 on the HKUST campus and brings together close to 40 world's most promising young leaders and entrepreneurs to explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) across key industries.
The module marks a prelude to HKUST's upcoming 35th anniversary celebrations. It will examine AI's profound impact – from its economic and scientific influence to its biomedical and cultural contributions. Participants will engage in expert-led discussions, interactive demos, and deep dive into topics such as AI-driven art-tech in revolutionizing the creative process.
A featured highlight of the program will be the Open Lecture on December 4 by Dr. Yifan David LI, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hesai Technology – the world's largest manufacturer of LiDAR sensors by revenue and market capitalization. Dr. Li will share groundbreaking insights into AI infrastructure and its revolutionary applications in autonomous vehicles and beyond.
Recognized in Fortune's "40 under 40" and MIT Technology Review's "Innovator 35 under 35," Dr. Li is a leading entrepreneur, scientist, and engineer specializing in AI, autonomous driving, and robotics. Hesai's LiDAR systems are trusted by eight out of the world's top 10 automotive OEMs and hold over 70% of the global market for fully autonomous vehicles. A graduate of Tsinghua University with a PhD in Robotics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Li holds more than 100 patents.
This Open Lecture, "Infrastructure for AI – for both autonomous cars and robots", is free and open to the HKUST community and the public, offering a rare opportunity to learn from one of the most influential pioneers in intelligent sensing and autonomous mobility.
Through curated seminars, fireside chats, and hands-on sessions, the Education Module equips the Young Global Leaders with deeper insights into AI applications while fostering dialogue on the ethical and societal dimensions of technological advancement. The program underscores HKUST's world-class interdisciplinary expertise in AI and reflects the University's commitment to cultivating responsible leaders in this fast-evolving domain.
"Our AI Future Is Now" embodies HKUST's unwavering commitment to advancing AI education and shaping global thought leadership. In partnership with the Young Global Leaders, HKUST aims to inspire innovative, ethical, and human-centered approaches to AI that will benefit societies worldwide.
Please click here to learn more and register for Dr. Li's open lecture."
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, and 19th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2025. Thirteen HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” coming in 17th worldwide and first in Hong Kong. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of the Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of July 2025, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 17 exits (IPO or M&A).
About the Forum of Young Global Leaders
The Forum of Young Global Leaders is the World Economic Forum's programme and community for leaders under 40. It brings the boldest leaders together to develop, connect and turn their influence into tangible impact.
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