"DeepSeek Powers CityU’s AI Revolution: Transforming Education and Cultivating Hong Kong’s Next-Gen Talent"

DeepSeek has sparked global attention, with Hong Kong’s education sector reaping significant benefits. City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has integrated DeepSeek into its CityUHK Chatbot system for faculty and students, and introduced “AI classmates” to assist learning in classrooms. In an interview with Sing Tao Daily, Professor Kimman Cheung, CityU’s Associate Vice-President (Digital Learning), stated that as the world enters a critical phase of AI application, CityU is actively transitioning to AI-driven teaching to cultivate versatile talent with both business acumen and AI expertise. He noted that with an influx of highly educated returning talent, Hong Kong is rapidly becoming a key hub for AI talent development and research innovation in Asia.

“AI Classmates” in Group Learning

CityU encourages students to leverage AI for learning, with its self-developed CityUHK Chatbot platform incorporating DeepSeek technology, enabling students to access the AI learning system anytime via mobile or web. Cheung explained that students can learn at their own pace, using AI to preview materials and raise initial questions before class, or resolve doubts and engage in simulated exercises afterward, effectively providing a 24/7 personal tutor. Additionally, CityU has introduced “AI classmates” in group discussions, where each group is assigned an AI assistant to offer alternative perspectives when discussions stall. Cheung noted, “Students can discuss with the ‘AI classmate’ first, process ideas, and then engage in deeper discussions with peers, boosting classroom participation by alleviating fears of asking ‘simple’ questions.”

Faculty also benefit from AI, which handles repetitive tasks like grading basic assignments to assess student progress, summarizing lecture notes, identifying key concepts, and designing practice questions tailored to course objectives and student progress. This allows professors to focus on high-quality teaching and research. Moreover, AI collects and analyzes student questions to identify common areas of confusion, enabling teachers to adjust content accordingly.

Simulated Labs Enhance “Clinical Experience”

CityU has developed simulated lab systems for professional courses. Cheung emphasized, “AI doesn’t replace teachers but amplifies their impact, enabling inspirational learning, accommodating diverse student levels, and achieving truly student-centered, personalized education.”

DeepSeek has fueled a new tech wave, becoming a growth driver for Hong Kong’s economy. Prior to DeepSeek’s emergence, CityU established the Hong Kong Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in October last year, collaborating with academia and industry to advance AI research. Cheung highlighted that CityU leverages its academic resources to build platforms attracting world-class professors to train AI talent in Hong Kong.

New Master’s Program in Business AI

Last month, CityU launched a Master’s program in Business Artificial Intelligence to train interdisciplinary professionals with AI and business expertise. Through its “Business Generative AI Lab,” the program offers cutting-edge AI hardware and software, diverse research opportunities, and internships, providing students with access to real-world business data and case studies to drive local innovation and cultivate smart business talent. Cheung believes Hong Kong should focus on integrating AI with business rather than developing large-scale AI models, leveraging its dual perspective on mainland China and international markets to identify culturally nuanced AI applications and capitalize on its wealth of business case studies.

CityU Professor Predicts Talent Return to Hong Kong

Amid the AI boom, many enterprises face talent shortages, but Cheung believes Hong Kong is experiencing a talent return. He shared an anecdote about meeting a former doctoral graduate at the airport, who had returned to Hong Kong from Pakistan for its abundant opportunities. “We train many international students, some of whom left but are now returning due to Hong Kong’s policies, funding schemes, and government support for innovation,” he said.

Rising Student Quality

Cheung observed a significant improvement in student quality, citing examples like a top-three Tsinghua University graduate who earned a perfect-score master’s in the U.S. and will pursue a PhD at CityU, and another Cornell master’s graduate choosing CityU for further studies. He noted that such trends were rare previously, as top students typically stayed abroad, but Hong Kong’s robust job market and research opportunities are now attracting high-caliber talent.