Generative AI takes centre stage at twin Hong Kong tech fairs, as government-backed research centre debuts
- InnoEX and the spring edition of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair bring together 3,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions
- The events feature Hong Kong’s first locally developed AI foundation model, a translation tool for sign language and other innovations
The government-backed Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Centre (HKGAI) made its debut at the twin events, which brought together 3,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions.
One of the projects on display was an AI-generated clip of the famous late Hong Kong singer Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing. Another was a chatbot being tested for tasks such as providing horse-racing information and government services.
The projects are based on the centre’s “independently trained” large language model, which supports both Chinese and English languages, according to the exhibitor.
It is Hong Kong’s first locally developed foundation model, signifying “a breakthrough in AI innovation”, said Guo Yike, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology provost and director of HKGAI.
Nearby at the Smart Hong Kong pavilion, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer showed off a translation tool for hearing-impaired individuals, called Generative Sign Language.