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Bridging cultures through emotions and AI

30 Jun 2025

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Dr Kelvin Lee, Associate Head and Associate Professor of Practice of the Department of Interactive Media, guides students in performing 3D facial scans of ethnic minority youths.
An Interactive Media student interviews an ethnic minority youth to learn about their experience in Hong Kong.
HKBU presents a certificate of appreciation to Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College and the charitable organisation TREATS.

Imagine a classroom where students can immerse themselves in diverse cultures rather than simply learn about them from books. In the service-learning project, “An Inclusive World of Emotions”, students gained a deeper understanding about the lives and feelings of ethnic minority youths in Hong Kong through the creation of facial animations.

Experiencing diverse perspectives 

In Hong Kong, where diverse cultures intersect, fostering an inclusive environment is paramount. Recently, a transformative service-learning initiative at HKBU has changed how youths from different cultural backgrounds connect with one another. Dr Kelvin Lee, Associate Head and Associate Professor of Practice of the Department of Interactive Media, led an innovative project supported by the Centre for Innovative Service-Learning and the Whole-person Development Fund under the University Grants Committee. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), the project encouraged students to engage meaningfully with ethnic minority youths, cultivating their empathy as well as cross-cultural understanding in the classroom. 

AI meets humanity 

In collaboration with Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College and the charitable organisation TREATS, the course extended students’ learning beyond the traditional classroom setting. HKBU students first collected information through conversation and 3D facial scans to create characters that present the experiences of ethnic minority youths living in Hong Kong. They then utilised AI tools to create facial animations that can simulate human expressions and emotions, enabling students to step into the shoes of their ethnic minority peers and thereby build deeper connections. 

This project not only enhances students’ technical skills in producing animations, but also deepens their understanding of the daily challenges faced by the ethnic minority community. It also enhances students’ understanding about different cultures through practice as well as their sensitivity to how other people feel. In addition, the project highlighted the role of AI tools in enhancing emotional insights and the importance of cultural sensitivity. 

Promoting cultural inclusion

Integrating AI to depict human emotions allows students to redefine their relationships with one another and with technology. By creating animated monologues that reflect the feelings of ethnic minority youths, students have forged genuine connections and fostered greater mutual understanding, paving way for a more inclusive future. 

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