ýÿFollowing is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Human, Machine, Art, Creativity: International Symposium organised by Hong Kong Baptist University today (August 9):

Dr Clement Chen (Chairman of the Council and Court of Hong Kong Baptist University), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     It gives me great pleasure to kick off the Human, Machine, Art, Creativity: International Symposium.

     Without human imagination and creativity, machines can only be senseless tools doing mundane chores. But with our imagination, we can give life to machines, turning them into our partners in the path towards greater development.

     Hong Kong Baptist University, with its commitment in discovering and nurturing new technologies and big ideas, is a leading force in comprehensive research and development for arts technology. The pioneering and innovative project Building Platform Technologies for Symbiotic Creativity in Hong Kong is funded by the Research Grants Council. It is one of China's biggest artificial intelligence (AI) technology research projects. It seeks to radically advance human and AI interaction and contribute to the sustainability of our arts ecosystem.

     Not long ago, the outcome of the research project came into the limelight at the Hong Kong Baptist University Symphony Orchestra Annual Gala Concert. The innovative concert programme featured an amazing crossover of human creativity and AI, making the debut of a human-machine collaborative performance.

     I congratulate Hong Kong Baptist University on their foresight in organising this international symposium with the participation of world-renowned academics and experts in the field. The exploration of an integration between AI and arts is in line with the HKSAR Government's policy objectives to promote the development of arts and culture, and innovation and technology (I&T). It also echoes the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which supports Hong Kong's positioning as an international I&T hub and an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

     As President Xi Jinping underlined in his important speech on July 1, the Central Government fully supports Hong Kong in its effort to maintain its distinctive status and edges, so as to expand and facilitate its exchanges with the world. With the unwavering support from our motherland, together with the concerted efforts of our community, I am confident that Hong Kong will continue to achieve breakthroughs in such budding areas as arts tech and bring new opportunities to the industries and, ultimately, to humanity.

     My thanks go to the many local and international academics and experts, for your continuing support to the development of arts and culture and I&T in Hong Kong. My thanks also go to Hong Kong Baptist University for initiating such a meaningful, intellectual exchange. Together, we shall seize the opportunities ahead, and start a new chapter for Hong Kong.

     I wish this symposium every success. Thank you.

Ends/Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Issued at HKT 10:57

NNNN