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South China Morning Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Young innovators rise: build ICT and AI solutions, shine at WTISD-HK 2025, hosted by the Communications Association of Hong Kong
This year's World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD-HK) successfully concluded with a Prize Presentation Ceremony on May 17, 2025. In alignment with the theme, 'Enhance equality in our society with AI in communications', set by the International Telecommunication Union, the Communications Association of Hong Kong (CAHK) has collaborated with schools and the information and communication technology (ICT) sector to inspire students to develop innovative digital solutions addressing social challenges. WTISD-HK 2025 featured two main activities: ICT Open Day and Proposal Competition. Both activities aligned with the theme of WTISD-HK 2025, attracting enthusiastic participation from over 300 Form Four to Six secondary school students as well as those in tertiary education. The Communications Authority has continued to support WTISD-HK as the event sponsor this year. Lending their support as the site sponsors for the ICT Open Day were China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK), Communications Authority, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, HGC Global Communications Limited, Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), HKT Limited, and SmarTone, while Huawei sponsored the prizes given out at the Proposal Competition. The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) Academy served as the venue sponsor for the WTISD-HK 2025 Prize Presentation Ceremony. The welcome speech was from Alex Wong, the chairman of WTISD-HK 2025 and vice-chairman of the Communications Association of Hong Kong. Photo: CAHK About 210 students and teachers from 16 schools took full advantage of the ICT Open Day, forming guided tour groups to visit various organisations and companies. These tours provided students with an exclusive opportunity to participate in workshops and gain valuable insights from industry experts. By interacting with professionals and executives of the site sponsors, students gained deeper insights into how AI applications are advancing communications and benefiting society. The organisers and site sponsors were highly impressed by the students' maturity and insightful perspectives on AI communication technologies. The ICT Open Day has played a vital role in inspiring secondary students to consider future careers in the ICT sector. CAHK extends its gratitude to the site sponsors for their unwavering support in making this event engaging and impactful for all participating students. The Proposal Competition aimed to encourage students to develop innovative solutions that apply AI to telecommunications and communications. Centred around the theme, 'Enhance equality in our society with AI in communications', the competition motivated students to explore AI-driven solutions that promote equality in various aspects – including but not limited to education, social inclusion, economics, gender and race – while fostering a more equitable digital future within Hong Kong communities. A judging panel of six industry executives and ICT experts reviewed the submissions and were highly impressed by their quality. Kingsley Yeung from the Office of the Communications Authority, gave the keynote speech. Photo: CAHK The judges praised the students' thorough research, insightful analysis of AI applications in both domestic and global contexts, and their ability to identify AI's potential for benefiting society. Each proposal demonstrated a deep understanding of AI's role in addressing societal challenges, with many students skilfully utilising presentation tools to enhance their work. The judges commended the students for their exceptional innovation and practical applications, recognising their forward-thinking approaches. The winners of the Proposal Competition together with judges and company sponsors at the Prize Presentation Ceremony for WTISD-HK 2025. Photo: CAHK Spanning March and May, the two main activities organised by CAHK for WTISD-HK 2025 successfully engaged students, harnessing their creativity to develop AI-driven solutions for social challenges while exposing them to the ICT sector. CAHK will actively look after and mentor the next generation of potential ICT professionals. The student winners of the ''Enhance equality in our society with AI in communications'' Proposal Competition 2025. Photo: CAHK The school winners of the ''Enhance equality in our society with AI in communications'' Proposal Competition 2025. Photo: CAHK For more event highlights, please visit CAHK's Facebook page (@wtisd2025), Instagram account (@wtisd2025) or official website ( A special thanks to the event sponsor, prizes sponsor, venue sponsor, ICT Open Day site sponsors and media partner. Photo: CAHK
South China Morning Post
17-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
WTISD 2025 Proposal Competition and ICT Open Day engage students in innovating AI communication solutions for societal equality
For this year's World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) in Hong Kong, the Communications Association of Hong Kong (CAHK) will organise two significant events – the ICT Open Day and Proposal Competition – spanning from February to May. These events are fully supported by the Communications Authority. Both events will reflect the theme of WTISD 2025, which is 'Enhance Equality in Our Society with AI in Communications.' No registration fee is required. The theme for this year's World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is 'Enhance Equality in Our Society with AI in Communications'. Photo: Handout Sign up for the proposal writing contest to win the prize Innovative solutions call for creative minds and fresh perspectives. Today's youth are full of ideas unbridled by conventions. The WTISD Proposal Competition encourages students to develop original solutions centred around the application of telecommunications technology. This year's competition engages them to push the envelope and innovate AI communication solutions that can be utilised to promote equality, including, but not limited to, learning, social, economic, gender, language barriers, uneven educational resources, ageing and race, and to improve communication and an equitable digital future within our communities in Hong Kong. AI-powered pets ease loneliness for China's one-child generation About the theme The Hong Kong government is firmly committed to promoting equal opportunities for all and eliminating all forms of discrimination. Various legislative, administrative, and educational measures promote equal opportunities for people of different genders, family status, sexual orientation, and race, among others. Nevertheless, discrimination is still prevalent in Hong Kong's workplace, according to an advocacy group. For instance, figures from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department show that the gender pay gap in Hong Kong widened to 21 per cent in 2021, compared with 18 per cent in 2011. Only 38 per cent of Hong Kong's women were in management positions, while 62 per cent were men. Hong Kong is a culturally diverse society, and nearly 92 per cent of its population is Chinese. Some ethnic minority communities are often incorrectly associated with poverty, crime, and hygiene issues and suffer from racial discrimination. Insufficient proficiency in the Chinese language limits employment opportunities and tertiary education options among people from ethnic minority groups. Ageism is a highly prevalent form of discrimination in Hong Kong. According to a survey by the Association of the Retired Elderly, 34 per cent of respondents said they did not meet job requirements due to age. Those who are already employed encounter multiple forms of age-related bias at work. The most common types of discrimination include lower pay, being passed up for promotion, and being let go after a restructuring. AI holds the potential to reduce inequality if harnessed for social good. AI-driven innovations in healthcare, education, and agriculture can uplift living standards in developing countries, closing the gap between rich and poor. AI in communications can significantly enhance equality in our society in several ways, including breaking language barriers, promoting accessibility for people with disabilities, and reducing bias by identifying and mitigating biases in communication platforms. AI can provide personalised learning experiences for individual students, empower marginalised communities, and advance new healthcare solutions. By leveraging AI in these ways and more, we can work towards a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Wuhan teacher uses AI to inspire students Proposal requirements The Proposal Competition invites students from Secondary Four to Six and tertiary levels to submit a proposal in: a) written format (500-1,000 words) or b) PowerPoint format (maximum 20 slides and above 400 words) in either English or Chinese. Entrants are encouraged to provide visuals, charts, or diagrams to support their proposals and effectively communicate their ideas. The competition only accepts individual submissions. The proposals need to include the following elements: Identify the target group Highlight current equality needs Innovative solutions Practical implementation Impact assessment Prizes Entries will be evaluated by a six-member panel from the Hong Kong ICT industry based on originality, content, writing quality, and visual presentation. All entrants will receive an eCert. Outstanding and most participating schools will receive trophies. The Champion, First Runner-Up, Second Runner-Up, and 10 outstanding submissions will be selected by the judging panel. All winners will receive Huawei products from Matepad, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and headphones, as prizes at the 2025 WTISD-HK Prize Presentation Ceremony on May 17, 2025. ICT Open Day This flagship event will allow participating students to explore how leading ICT organisations in Hong Kong apply advanced digital technologies to address various issues and why their solutions will ultimately contribute to creating a more equal society. During this Open Day visit to ICT companies led by ICT professionals, students are expected to gain valuable insights from industry experts. Students from Secondary Four to Secondary Six are welcome to attend. The event is free of charge, with free shuttle bus support. Previous participants of the ICT Open Day have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, crediting the event and their interactions with tech company executives for deepening their understanding of the ICT sector. The experience has been instrumental in shaping some of their future careers in the technology sector. Important dates This year's ICT Open Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, with the recruitment period from February 7 to March 21. Please register here. The registration period and entry submission for the Proposal Competition is from February 7 to April 11, 2025. Submit your entry here. For more information on WTISD 2025, visit their website.
