The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Ant Digital Technologies will jointly establish an AI and Web3 laboratory.
The joint lab will focus on three core domains – trustworthy AI agents, AI-enhanced blockchain security architecture, and data privacy verification technologies, according to a news release by the PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies.
Christopher Chao Yu-hang, vice-president (research and innovation) of PolyU, and Zhao Wenbiao, CEO of Ant Digital Technologies, on Thursday signed an agreement to set up “PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies Joint Lab on AI and Web3”.
Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Joseph Chan Ho-lim, PolyU President Teng Jin-Guang, and Chairman of Ant Group Eric Jing Xiandong witnessed the agreement signing.
Ant Digital Technologies plans to invest up to HK$100 million over the next three years to support the joint lab’s research work and project incubation.
To foster the development of an innovation ecosystem and incubation, an “AI + Web3 Education Fund Platform” will be established to fully leverage PolyU’s strong research capabilities and Ant Digital Technologies’ extensive industry resources, supporting Hong Kong’s development into a digital technology talent hub, said the news release.
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The joint laboratory is a strategic initiative designed to foster interdisciplinary convergence of cutting-edge technologies, propelling Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub and a global hub for digital asset innovation, said Teng.
“We anticipate this strong partnership will drive deep integration and breakthrough innovation in AI and Web3 applications, yielding globally impactful solutions that accelerate the growth of a digital economy in Hong Kong and beyond.”
Zhao said harnessing its robust technological expertise and comprehensive service scenarios, Ant Digital Technologies will partner closely with PolyU to bridge industry, academia and research capabilities.
“This collaboration will accelerate breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies and facilitate their widespread commercial implementation,” he added.
Ant Group is optimistic about Hong Kong’s future and remains committed to investing in the city, said Jing.
“We look forward to this collaboration, which unlocks Hong Kong’s transformative potential at the intersection of AI and Web3 – accelerating its growth as a global hub for innovation and technology, finance, and trade,” added Jing.
PolyU was ranked first in CoinDesk’s Best Universities for Blockchain 2022, outperforming 240 other universities globally.
As Ant Group’s digital technology subsidiary, Ant Digital Technologies possesses industry-leading expertise in AI and Web3 innovation, said the group.
