The Second Hong Kong AI and Frontier Technology Forum
AI reshaping technology ecosystems and empowering life sciences
The Second Hong Kong AI and Frontier Technology Forum was held on 10 October 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. As the opening forum of the second cohort of the HKU Advanced Technology Fellowship Programme, the event brought together academic, industry, government, and investment leaders to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping technology ecosystems and supporting innovation in life sciences.
The Forum focused on two major themes: AI reshaping technology ecosystems, and AI empowering life sciences. It also extended the programme’s role as a platform linking academic research, industrial practice, and technology-driven enterprise development.
AI Reshaping Technology Ecosystems
The morning session focused on how AI is reshaping technology ecosystems and connecting academic knowledge with enterprise practice. Prof Yi Ma opened the Forum by outlining the role of ATFP in supporting science-enterprise integration in the AI era.
AI Empowering Life Sciences
The afternoon sessions focused on the application of AI in life sciences, biotechnology, medical technology, and clinical development.
Prof Yi Ma noted that AI is accelerating changes in life sciences, from drug development to clinical diagnosis, and that a key challenge lies in connecting scientific research with industrial application.
Ms Lillian Cheong, JP, shared the HKSAR Government’s policy direction and support for artificial intelligence, research translation, infrastructure, and innovation development.
Ms Cheung-ling Cheng, SBS, JP, highlighted the role of AI in global technological change and encouraged entrepreneurs to address real-world problems through technology and innovation.
Keynote Highlights
Prof Chak Sing Lau discussed biotechnological advances that can accelerate clinical trial development, including innovation platforms, disease modelling, data-driven research, and cross-boundary collaboration in the Greater Bay Area.
Roundtable: From Technology to Value
The morning roundtable brought together academic and industry representatives to discuss Hong Kong’s role as a connector between scientific research, industrial development, capital markets, and regional innovation networks.
The afternoon roundtable examined how AI is reshaping the industrial application and capital logic of life sciences. Speakers shared perspectives from medical technology, cell therapy, digital health, intelligent hardware, product development, and clinical implementation.
The discussion reflected a shared focus on moving from scientific concepts to practical solutions, and on building stronger connections between research, industry, capital, and real-world health needs.
Continuing the ATFP Journey
The Forum was both a launch event for the second cohort and a continuation of ATFP’s wider mission to connect science and enterprise, talent and capital, Hong Kong and global innovation ecosystems.
More details about the HKU ATPF Programme: https://datascience.hku.hk/atf/
Photo Album
Programme Snapshot
| Opening Ceremony |
Keynote Speeches
| From New Engineering Education to New Quality Productive Forces 2.0: Integration of New Engineering Education + Cultivation of Innovative Talent + Product/Enterprise Iteration and Institutional Mechanism | |
| Technology-driven architecture innovations in AI era | |
| AI-Driven Research on Metabolism and Aging | |
| From WISE to the BEST—Roadmap to Eternal Life | |
| Biotechnological Advances that Accelerate Clinical Trial Development |
Routable Discussions
| The AI ecosystem code of Hong Kong’s science and technology innovation hub: scientific research transformation, Bay Area collaboration and global connectivity | |
| From Technology to Value — How AI is Reshaping the Industrial Application and Capital Logic of Life Sciences |
