Press Release

HKBU AI x HK OpenCup competition sees young people tackling global sustainable development challenges 

Monday, 27 November 2023

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) successfully concluded the second edition of the “AI x HK OpenCup” competition with the Award Presentation Ceremony held on 25 November. Participants from secondary schools and tertiary institutions showcased their creativity, leveraging AI technologies and collaborative efforts to propose innovative solutions to address pressing challenges facing Hong Kong.

Co-hosted with the Hong Kong Society of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (HKSAIR), the event attracted participation from 94 teams, comprising over 370 students from both Secondary and Tertiary categories this year. Their proposals for tackling the challenges in Hong Kong have to align with the sustainable development goals set forth by the United Nations, including good health and well-being, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, and sustainable cities and communities.

A team composed of students from HKBU and the University of Hong Kong won the champion in the Tertiary Students Category with their project “JOI”. Concerning about the mental health of urban dwellers, they have developed a smart sensor that detects and analyses plant-specific growth needs, ranging from environmental factors to biological information, to promote green environment and help the users to relieve emotions. The sensor also provides emotional support to users by detecting their emotions.

For the Secondary Students Category, a team from Heep Yunn School was crowned the champion with their project “First ‘AI’d Box”. They have developed an AI first aid kit that can identify the type of wounds, offer corresponding treatment instructions, and illuminate to indicate the location of the relevant emergency supplies. Please refer to the attachment for the full list of award recipients.

In his welcome remarks at the ceremony, Professor Martin Wong, Provost of HKBU said: “Innovation is the bedrock of progress, and AI, with its transformative capabilities, serves as a powerful tool.  ‘AI x HK OpenCup’ not only highlighted the innovative potential of our youth but also the critical importance of integrating AI solutions to tackle sustainability challenges. We are incredibly proud of the high-quality ideas put forth by teams.”

“The University remains steadfast in promoting AI innovation for social good. Technology, AI, and Big Data are integral parts of the University’s strategic directions. Through initiatives like the ‘AI x HK OpenCup’, we strive to nurture a culture of innovation and empower young talents to make a positive impact on society,” he added.

The Competition is a stellar showcase of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to addressing global issues through AI technology. Its journey began with an opening-cum-briefing session on 16 September, and culminated in a Final Pitching event where 16 shortlisted teams presented their innovative solutions. The judging panel, consisting of experts from academia and industry, played a crucial role in assessing the projects and selecting the award recipients.

Learn more: https://aihk2023.comp.hkbu.edu.hk/   

Appendix:

The winning teams of the AI x HK OpenCup 2023

Secondary Students Category

Tertiary Students Category