Artificial Intelligence

Three researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) are pioneering diverse technologies for greener, safer, and more efficient transport.

Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning of Lingnan University in Hong Kong has been elected Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE) for the year 2024. The Induction Ceremony of the 11 new Fellows of the HKAE was held on 20 January 2025. Prof Yao has the distinction of being the third Lingnan scholar to receive this honour, following Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science, and Prof Sam Kwong Tak-wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research), Acting Dean of the School of Data Science, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence.

Lingnan University’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS) and the Center of International Innovation for Technology and Science (CIITS), signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement at the InnoBay · Future Industry Forum——Shenzhen-Hong Kong Exchange Session (CIITS) in the Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone yesterday (16 January). Prof Chen Xi, Dean of SIS, and Mr Liu Renchen, Director of the CIITS, signed on behalf of both parties, injecting new momentum into promoting scientific and technological innovation cooperation.

Lingnan University in Hong Kong recently launched its inaugural seminar series “A Personal Perspective on Doing Good Research”. The series commenced with a seminar delivered by Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University, entitled “Doing Research to the Best of and Bigger Than Yourself”. Organised by the School of Graduate Studies (GS), this monthly event will feature presentations from senior university management and leading scholars, offering a platform for academics to share valuable insights and experiences from their personal research. The series aims to encourage productive discussions on best research practices, and offers participants opportunities to engage with leading scholars within the university.

Additional data can help differentiate subtle gestures, hand positions, facial expressions

To discover Hong Kong citizens' awareness and acceptance of gerontechnology, the Lingnan University Institute for Policy Studies’ Jockey Club Gerontechnology and Smart Ageing in Place (GTSA) Project recently held a public opinion survey. The results show that overall awareness of gerontechnology is on an upward trend, but 40% of respondents believe that current government subsidies for the purchase of gerontech products are insufficient, and 90% of respondents would like the government to expand the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme to cover the purchase of gerontech products.

On 12 December, Lingnan University hosted its biennial fundraising event, Kingrich Charitable Foundation presents: Lingnan University Gala Dinner 2024 for around 300 welcome guests. This year the theme was Lingnan’s Transformation into the Digital Era.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are an AI model trained on ‘plant-speak’, how greedy groundwater use is making cities sink, and a lidar system that could find a needle in a very large haystack.

When a quantum computer processes data, it must translate it into understandable quantum data. Algorithms that carry out this ‘quantum compilation’ typically optimize one target at a time. However, a team led by Tohoku University’s Dr. Le Bin Ho has created an algorithm capable of optimizing multiple targets at once, effectively enabling a quantum machine to multitask.

Lingnan University participated for the first time in the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong (AEII) held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5 to 6 December. Lingnan University won a total of three awards, including 1 Gold Medal and 2 Silver Medals, among more than 140 innovative projects from all over Asia.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the genetics behind cat coat color, how AI and rat urine can help a robot fit in, and how plastic damages coral reefs.

At the Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony 2024 today (5 December), Lingnan University conferred two honorary degrees in recognition of outstanding professional achievements and valuable contributions to society. Renowned mathematician Prof Yau Shing-tung received a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, and distinguished structural biologist Prof Nieng Yan received a Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

By identifying the ideal manufacturing conditions, machine learning reduces the need for expensive and time-consuming experimentation.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how to make a mouse from a single-celled organism, stimulating tastebuds in VR and how moving water actually ends up moving the planet.

Researchers have demonstrated room-temperature ferroelectricity in single-element tellurium nanowires, providing a pathway toward ultrahigh-density data storage and neuromorphic computing. Published in Nature Communications, the study introduces a self-gated ferroelectric field-effect transistor (SF-FET) that integrates memory and computing capabilities.

Although crackles have long been regarded as a hallmark finding in physical examinations, this study revealed their unreliability not only among human physicians but also in artificial intelligence systems.

Lingnan University held its 55th Congregation for the Conferment of Degrees today (28 November), presided over by Council Chairman Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai and Deputy Council Chairman Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming. This year the University conferred degrees on 3,068 graduates, of whom 770 were undergraduates, 2,242 masters, 52 doctors, and 124 postgraduate diploma holders. A hundred and twenty graduates were awarded both a Master of Accountancy and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy.

These deep learning tools can help both government and private entities when making investment and policy decisions.

Creating and controlling quantum dots via electrical methods, is likely to lead to new frontiers in the quest to develop stable and efficient qubits. Exploring how zinc oxide can be used in electrically defined quantum dots, researchers have unearthed some surprising phenomenon.

Lingnan University will confer honorary doctoral degrees on two leading professors in recognition of their outstanding achievements and valuable contributions to humanity. They are renowned mathematician Prof Yau Shing-tung and distinguished structural biologist Prof Nieng Yan.

With the rapid development of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), safety issues arising from the related technologies are gradually surfacing and have attracted widespread attention. The School of Data Science of Lingnan University organised the 2024 International Workshop on Risk and Governance of Generative Artificial Intelligence from 25 to 26 November at the Cordis, Hong Kong hotel, where AI experts and scholars from around the world met to explore through case studies in-depth, original solutions to the possible risks of GenAI.

An SUTD researcher has developed a promising automated workflow that leverages a large language model to generate a design structure matrix in less than five minutes.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the rediscovery of a worm after 70 years, how internet use can help reduce depression in seniors, and the first 4-legged bot to finish a marathon.

Trusted, independent data analytics organisation Clarivate has included Lingnan University's Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning, and Prof Sam Kwong Tak-wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research), Acting Dean of the School of Data Science, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence, on their latest list of Highly Cited Researchers 2024. The two scholars’ multiple frequently referenced papers ranking in the top 1 per cent by citations for their fields and publication year over the past decade have made a significant and wide-ranging impact.

A team of eight postgraduates led by Prof Dong Chengzu, Assistant Professor of Teaching of the Division of Artificial Intelligence, School of Data Science at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, won second prize in the zkWASM Hackathon held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 8 to 10 November 2024.

With the global rise in electric vehicles’ popularity, the demand for lithium-ion batteries has surged, leading to a considerable increase in discarded batteries. The issue of how to efficiently use “retired” batteries has become urgent, and to address this Prof Tang Xiaopeng, Assistant Professor of the Science Unit at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, recently published a groundbreaking research paper titled "Lifespan-based Battery Classification towards Second-life Utilisation", which won the Best Paper Award at the prestigious 2024 IEEE 25th China Conference on System Simulation Technology and its Application (CCSSTA). It was one of only four papers out of 278 submissions to receive recognition.

Lingnan University hosted the QS Higher Education Post-Summit: Asia Pacific 2024 today (8 November) on its campus under the theme "Navigating Futures – Empowering Higher Education for Social and Sustainable Impact". This international education conference brought together about 400 leading academics and key stakeholders from universities in Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China, Australia, and Japan to consider the most pressing challenges and transformative opportunities facing higher education in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lingnan University welcomed Ms Wang Yuyan, Deputy Party Secretary, Head of the Organization Department of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee and her delegation on their visit to the Lingnan University campus in Tuen Mun on 4 November. Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science, Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing, Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning), Mr Ernest Chan Chi-man, Vice-President (Administration), Associate Vice-Presidents and the University management met with the guests, and held a seminar, chaired by Prof S. Joe Qin, to explore closer cooperation in research and innovation, and expanding talent cultivation.

Lingnan University co-hosted the QS Higher Education Summit Asia Pacific 2024 from 5 to 7 November at the Macau University of Science and Technology, with the theme “Shifting Landscapes, Collaborative Solutions: Pioneering Innovation in Asia Pacific Higher Education”. The summit marks its 20th anniversary in 2024, and aims to forge valuable partnerships within the higher education sector. Attended by about 1,500 educators, leading thinkers and academics, the three-day summit held dynamic panel discussions on a wide range of pertinent issues, covering key topics such as leveraging the power of AI, fostering lifelong learning ecosystems, and navigating the unfolding higher education landscape.

28 October 2024, Singapore – EDUtech Asia 2024, will be back for its 9th edition from 6 to 7 November. Organised by Terrapinn, EDUtech Asia 2024 will offer a distinguished lineup of education leaders, decision-makers, policy makers, educators, innovators and disruptors to collaborate and reimagine the future of education with the power of tech.