HKUST Hosts High-Level Forum on Generative AI Governance and Cultural Co-Creation

As the national 15th Five-Year Plan underscores the importance of implementing AI+ initiatives, Hong Kong is poised to leverage its unique strengths to accelerate the development of innovative technologies and new quality productive forces. Against this backdrop, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)’s Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS), in collaboration with the Media Intelligence Research Center (MIRC), today hosted the "High-level Forum on Generative AI Governance and Cultural Co-Creation". The event brought together over 30 government officials, scholars, and experts from media, business, and cultural sectors to share insights on developing a governance framework and fostering cultural co-creation for GenAI, collectively shaping a new future for governance landscape.

The inauguration ceremony for the MIRC, held during the Forum, marks a significant milestone in HKUST’s pursuit of AI and media innovation. As an interdisciplinary innovative research hub, MIRC is committed to pioneering cutting-edge research and practices by integrating AI and media innovation across fields such as governance, media, culture, education, healthcare, and sustainable development. The Center will provide solid academic and technological support for the advancement of new quality productive forces.

HKUST Provost and Chair Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Prof. GUO Yike and Dean of AIS Prof. QU Huamin, delivered opening remarks to kick off the event. Prof. Guo stated, “GenAI is one of the key research areas that HKUST has prioritized. With the support of the HKSAR Government, we have established the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center, in collaboration with five local universities and one international university, to enhance Hong Kong's GenAI infrastructure. The newly established Media Intelligence Research Center reflects our commitment to building a robust AI framework with strong governance and a focus on fostering a culture of creativity.”

A key step in advancing interdisciplinary research and education, HKUST transformed its Interdisciplinary Programs Office into the AIS in 2023. The AIS has since become a hub for driving interdisciplinary research in emerging fields such as Art Tech and Biodesign. Serving as a prelude to the University's 35th anniversary celebrations and one of its flagship interdisciplinary academic events, the Forum featured three distinguished keynote addresses, innovation forums, and two fireside dialogues.

The keynote speakers include Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Ms. Ada CHUNG Lai-Ling, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data of the HKSAR Government, and Mr. Thomas TSANG Chi-Sham, Acting Director of Intellectual Property of the HKSAR Government, who shared the latest developments in policies and regulatory frameworks for GenAI from a government perspective. Topics covered the GenAI technical and application guideline, personal data protection, and copyright issues related to AI-generated works.

Prof. Sun said, “The National 15th Five-Year Plan has confirmed its support for Hong Kong in building an international I&T center. We are standing at the forefront of a global technological shift, where the urgent need is to balance AI's immense potential with its underlying risks to ensure sustainable and inclusive development. The Government has spared no effort in promoting sound AI governance while fostering the advancement of industry, by introducing Ethical Artificial Intelligence Framework and the Principles of Data Governance, which together ensure that AI systems are not only effective but also responsible. Furthermore, the release of the Hong Kong Generative AI Technical and Application Guideline provides clear, pragmatic and actionable advice to address key risks like data leakage and misinformation. A thriving AI ecosystem counts not only on innovation and technology, but also strong and adaptive governance across both public and private sectors to protect data, uphold standards, and build public trust.”

Additionally, Mr. Henry TANG Ying-Yen, Former Chairman of the Board of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, offered forward-looking view on the culturally adaptive AI for diverse societies. Mr. Tang discussed the potential benefits of AI for the advancements of medicine, climate science, and creative arts, while also raised concerns about the social costs and governance of AI, as well as the transformative impact of AI on job markets.

Mr. Paul LAM Ting-Kwok, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government, delivered his perspectives on the credibility and accountability in the era of GenAI. Mr. Lam said, “Currently, Hong Kong has no bespoke legislation governing AI. To harness the potential benefits this new technology may bring, it is incumbent upon the Government to take the lead in reviewing the relevant law so as to provide a facilitative yet properly controlled legal environment for AI's development.” He said that the Department of Justice will form an interdepartmental working group to co-ordinate the responsible bureaux to review the legislation needed to complement the wider application of AI.

He also pointed out the importance of credibility and accountability in relation to AI, such as copyright, content accuracy, the emergence of “AI-giarism,” and the influence of AI-generated work on children. Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, and Europe are striving to tackle these issues by introducing new laws and guidelines. The Government will engage with all relevant stakeholders to build a legal framework that promotes AI in a way that is reasonably flexible to cater to its fast development and wide application, but without compromising the rule of law.

The fireside dialogues, held in the afternoon, brought together experts from policymaking, industry, and academia to explore two key themes: “Digital Policy and AI: Governance, Innovation, and Industry Practices” and “AI, Culture, and Society: Building Trust and Shared Values”. The discussions centered on how governance, technology, and culture in AI can converge to shape an ethical,  inclusive, and creative AI culture.

New Research Center Leverages Interdisciplinary Strengths to Promote Global AI Development

The inauguration ceremony for MIRC was officiated by Prof. Guo Yike, Prof. Qu Huamin, and Director of MIRC Prof. Céline SONG Yunya. The Centre’s research focuses include human-AI interaction, digital governance and literacy, cultural and creative intelligence, explainable and accountable systems, and affective and cognitive computing. Comprising core faculty from engineering, computer science, business, public policy, humanities and social science, and collaborating closely with affiliates from world-leading universities, MIRC aims to bridge advanced academic research with policy, governance, and real-world applications. This initiative is designed to drive AI innovation, facilitate social progress, and contribute to the high-quality development of Hong Kong and the nation.  

The Forum showcased HKUST's leading research capabilities in AI governance, its robust interdisciplinary collaborative network, and its strengths in policy translation. These efforts further enhance Hong Kong's international influence in global AI governance, position HKUST as a key contributor to building a trustworthy AI ecosystem worldwide and reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a global hub for AI development.