Prof May Chiu, Executive Director of UNICEF HK (Left) and Prof Bennett Yim (Right), Chairman of HKU AcT signed an MoU to empower youth in AI education.
In recognition of the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) to children's presence and future, the Academy for the Talented of the University of Hong Kong (HKU AcT) and Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently to advance the understanding and guide the engagement of AI in youth education.
This partnership is a shared commitment to help young minds thrive in a technology-driven world. The collective actions bring together UNICEF HK's dedication to children's development and HKU AcT's expertise in education and innovation to cultivate a responsible and forward-thinking AI culture.
Professor Ian Holliday, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) of HKU, welcomed the partnership and commitment to nurture innovative thinkers to address global challenges and drive positive change. Professor Holliday expressed, "At HKU, we are fully integrating GenAI into our teaching and learning, enabling our teachers and students to become not only AI literate but also pioneers in exploiting the potential of GenAI for the benefit of humankind."
Mr Leo Kung, Council Member and Chairman of the Information and Technology Committee of UNICEF HK, stated, "UNICEF's 2020 Policy Guidance on AI for Children emphasized that children must be protected yet empowered in interactions with AI technologies. This partnership opens doors for children and youth to harness the transformative power of AI, advancing Hong Kong as a child-friendly city that unleashes potential of our next generation."
Professor Bennett Yim, Chairman of HKU AcT, emphasised the importance of equipping the future generation as well as teachers with AI training to move forward with global footsteps. A partnership with UNICEF HK increases the opportunities for a diverse array of children's learning experiences. "By forging a closer collaboration, we are committed to exemplifying the synergies in youth development and AI education, creating a platform for nurturing the next generation of leaders in a technology-driven world," Professor Yim concluded.
UNICEF HK shares a common vision of HKU's School of Innovation (I-School), a new establishment to provide interdisciplinary courses of innovation that will create impact and address challenges faced by children.
