HKUST Co-Organizes National AI Creativity Competition to Unlock Youth Potential in Technological Innovation

The Center for Technology and Business Ecosystem (CTBE) of the School of Business and Management at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST Business School), HKUST Shanghai Alumni Chapter, and Tencent Research Institute have successfully concluded the “NOVA: National AI Creativity Competition”. This year’s competition has attracted 81 teams of university students and senior secondary students from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, who deftly leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to develop innovative solutions across three tracks: social impact, creative arts, and business efficiency.

As a flagship event marking HKUST’s 35th anniversary, the competition supports national and HKSAR Government efforts to advance AI innovation and nurture top-tier talent. By encouraging students to harness their creativity and develop practical AI applications, the competition empowers the next generation to tackle real-world challenges, build robust digital competencies, and explore the limitless possibilities of technology for the future.

A total of 81 teams entered the competition, including 47 from Hong Kong and 34 from the Chinese Mainland. Following a rigorous judging process, 20 finalist teams, evenly split between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, advanced to the grand finals, where they showcased their innovative projects and participated in a live Q&A session with the judging panel.

In the Hong Kong edition, the championship was awarded to WalkWithU from HKUST for developing an AI-powered smart insole system that helps predict fall risks among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. HAXEGON from The University of Hong Kong secured first runner-up with an AI-driven solution designed to make farming more accessible and efficient. Third place went to Maipal from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for creating an AI-enabled wellness companion grounded in the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

Held at Tencent Seafront Towers in Shenzhen, the Chinese Mainland division championship was awarded to SIGNOVA from Zhengzhou University of Light Industry for its barrier-free interactive system designed to support individuals with hearing impairments. Two teams shared the first runner-up honors: Carbon Reduction Group, comprising students from HKUST(GZ) and Wuhan University of Science and Technology, for its AI-powered approach to transforming carbon advisory services; and Vision Guide, a joint team from Zhengzhou University of Light Industry and Huanghe Jiaotong University, for developing a multimodal AI assistant that enhances accessibility for people with visual impairments.

Prof. HUI Kai-lung, Associate Provost (Academic Development) of HKUST and Director of CTBE, said, “In alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, five national departments, including the Ministry of Education, have launched the ‘AI+ Education’ Action Plan to integrate AI literacy across all stages of education and broader public learning. This momentum is further bolstered by this year’s Policy Address, which introduced the ‘AI for All’ Inclusive Program—an initiative set to deliver over 200 training courses and activities by the first quarter of 2028 to accelerate talent development and enhance digital literacy. Against this backdrop, the hosting of this national AI creativity competition is exceptionally timely. It provides an important platform for deepening students’ understanding of AI while promoting its responsible and ethical application. It was particularly encouraging to see students applying AI to address real-world societal needs, tackling pressing challenges in healthcare, accessibility, sustainable development, and everyday life. The competition exemplifies the qualities that the new generation of AI talent should possess: young minds who do not view AI merely as a shortcut to convenience, but as a powerful tool for creating social value and enhancing human well-being.”

Prof. MENG Zhaoli, Associate Director of CTBE, said, “The creativity and sense of mission demonstrated by the participants far exceeded our expectations. Their projects vividly illustrated that the younger generation does not merely apply AI to address real-world challenges, but is engaging in interdisciplinary thinking to forge new frontiers. What is particularly encouraging is how these young innovators seamlessly combined technical expertise with a deep understanding of real-world needs, embodying a distinctive, human-centered vision that closely links technological innovation with social value.”

Ms. Tracy LIU, President of HKUST Shanghai Alumni Chapter, Founder of Mingzhu Training Program, and Advisor to CTBE, noted, “Through this competition, we hope to create more opportunities for young people to explore new ideas, engage with new technologies, and connect with peers from different backgrounds.”

Mr. WANG Peng, Senior Expert at Tencent Research Institute, added, “What I look forward to even more is seeing the ideas from these participating teams continue to evolve after the competition, ultimately transforming into products and services that benefits society at large.”

Ms. LAM Hiu-ying, representative of the champion team of the Hong Kong edition, WalkWithU, said, “The most dangerous moment in dementia care is often not the fall itself, but the ‘silent signals’ that are overlooked before it happens. We wish to break this silence. By leveraging privacy-preserving Edge AI, we help families spot risks earlier, act sooner, and keep their loved ones safer at home.”

Ms. LI Nuoxi, representative of the champion team of the Chinese Mainland edition, SIGNOVA, expressed, “For us, innovation is about more than just technological breakthroughs; it is about responding to real-world needs and solving practical problems. This award is more than just recognition—it has profoundly strengthened our commitment to exploring the social value of AI.”

The competition underscores HKUST’s steadfast commitment to nurturing future-ready leaders and advancing responsible AI innovation through experiential learning. By empowering young minds to turn creative ideas into practical solutions, the initiative helps cultivate a new generation of innovators fully equipped to drive social value in an AI-driven world.