Latest news with #Preface
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong CEOs get crash course in AI to pass on skills to 5,000 students
More than a dozen CEOs and top-level executives in Hong Kong are taking a crash course in AI with the help of a non-profit to equip them with the skills to help 5,000 secondary school students learn the essentials of the technology. The CEO training on Sunday was a key component of the AI-5000 Initiative, a collaborative effort between Project Melo and Preface, a Hong Kong-based education technology company. The project garnered support from 17 top-level executives and leaders, including M+ museum chairman Bernard Chan, Link Reit CEO George Hongchoy, and Randy Lai, the CEO of McDonald's Hong Kong. 'We believe that Hong Kong secondary students absolutely have to focus on AI,' said Kenny Lam Kwok-fung, a co-founder of Project Melo, a local non-profit focused on empowering young people that is co-running the programme. Being held between September this year and March 2026, more than 50 schools are taking part in the programme. The courses will be delivered by Preface staff, students from Project Melo and the 15 participating CEOs. The training programme is being launched amid a wider push by the government to get young people interested in the technology.
South China Morning Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
From smart recycling bins to sustainability apps, here's how tech can help the planet
Technology can be an important tool in our fight to protect the environment. For example, apps can teach people to improve their recycling habits, and artificial intelligence (AI) can track deforestation. However, this role can be complicated. Some forms of technology also add to our planet's problems. For example, training generative AI models like ChatGPT requires a lot of energy and water. A study by KnownHost revealed that ChatGPT alone emits nearly 261,000kg of carbon dioxide every month – this is the same as 260 flights from New York to London. That is why it is wasteful to send unnecessary requests to AI chatbots. As the CEO behind ChatGPT, Sam Altman, noted in a social media post that adding polite phrases like 'please' to queries can cost millions of dollars in extra electricity. This shows a vital lesson: technology's environmental impact depends on how we design and use it. An easy guide to computational and design thinking Student projects use tech for good Hong Kong youth are designing tech to tackle climate challenges through Preface's annual Innovation Challenge. Preface CEO Tommie Lo said: 'We invest in youth because they reimagine solutions with fresh perspectives.' Here are two standout projects from last year's competition that show how small innovations can benefit our planet. 1. A platform for change Boris Lo developed Sustainify to connect youth with educational tools, partnership networks and impact-tracking features. In six months, the app encouraged students to do more than 150 service hours, supported 2,400 users, and raised HK$780,000 for underserved communities. The app has even garnered support from Unesco. This proves that tech can turn passion into action. 'Sustainify's value lies in the youth behind it – their spirit and resolve to drive change,' said Boris, who is now 17. Sustainify is an app connecting young changemakers with educational tools, partnership networks and impact-tracking features. Photo: Handout 2. Smart recycling bin When people put the wrong items in a recycling bin, this contaminates all the other things inside, sending them to landfills. Kingsley Cheng, who is now 13, designed an AI-powered bin that uses a camera to identify materials such as plastic, glass and paper before sorting waste into the correct bins. His product was one of the winners at Preface's 2024 Nomad Awards Tech Competition. Hopefully, this idea will become real in the near future. Kingsley Cheng has created a prototype for a smart recycling bin. Photo: Handout Your invention could change the world Innovation isn't just about scale; it is about intention. By designing tech for the planet, these young minds show how innovation thrives when there are good intentions behind it. At a TEDx Talk event, Ellen Lau, Preface's director, said: 'In a world where 65 per cent of future jobs don't even exist yet, it's important to embrace change and find joy in the process.' Every line of code, every prototype, and every idea can contribute to a greener future. Ellen Lau, Preface's director, speaks at a TEDx Talk event. Photo: Handout Sponsored by At PST, we make technology education accessible and fun for learners of all ages. Our mission is to ignite a passion for technology, empowering them to confidently navigate the digital landscape.
South China Morning Post
10-06-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Tech for a better planet: how student innovations can lead the charge
Climate change, plastic pollution and vanishing wildlife are dominating headlines, leaving many of us wondering: can one person make a difference? The answer is yes – especially when we are armed with creativity and technology. Learn how to use HTML, CSS and JavaScript to build your own website Why tech matters in the climate fight The escalating climate crisis demands bold solutions, and technology serves as a critical weapon in this fight. From apps that optimise recycling habits to AI systems monitoring deforestation, tech offers tools to both understand and mitigate environmental harm. However, its role is complex. While innovations like solar-powered sensors or carbon capture are promising, technology can also contribute to the planet's problems. For example, training generative AI models like ChatGPT requires massive energy and water resources. A study by KnownHost revealed that ChatGPT alone emits nearly 261,000kg of carbon dioxide monthly – equivalent to 260 flights from New York to London. Even small digital habits, such as overloading AI with unnecessary requests, compound energy waste. As OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted in a social media post, adding polite phrases like 'please' to ChatGPT queries costs millions of dollars in extra electricity. This underscores a vital lesson: technology's environmental impact depends on how we design and use it. Student projects inspire action At Preface, students are tackling these challenges head on through an annual Innovation Challenge, where young minds design tech-driven solutions for real-world sustainability issues. Here, we spotlight stand-out projects from last year's competition, demonstrating how even small innovations can create ripple effects for our planet. This is how Preface's young innovators are creating practical, planet-friendly tech. 1. Sustainify: a youth-led sustainability education platform To bridge a gap in youth engagement with sustainability, Boris Lo developed Sustainify, a web app connecting young changemakers with educational tools, partnership networks and impact-tracking features. In six months, the platform mobilised more than 150 service hours, supported 2,400 users and raised HK$780,000 for underserved communities – proving that tech can turn passion into measurable action. 'Sustainify's value lies in the youth behind it – their spirit and resolve to drive change,' said Boris, who is 17. The app has garnered support from Unesco, Carbon Wallet, and Preface CEO Tommie Lo, who emphasised: 'We invest in youth because they reimagine solutions with fresh perspectives.' Boris Lo developed Sustainify, a web app connecting young changemakers with educational tools, partnership networks and impact-tracking features. Photo: Handout 2. Smart recycling bin When people put the wrong items in a recycling bin, this contaminates the other materials inside, sending them to landfills. Kingsley Cheng, who is now 13, designed an AI-powered bin that uses a camera to identify materials such as plastic, glass and paper while precision motors sort waste automatically and ensure proper recycling. Kingsley's product was a winner at Preface's 2024 Nomad Awards Tech Competition and received recognition from judges and speakers in leading industries. Hopefully, this idea will soon become a reality. Kingsley Cheng, who is now 13, designed an AI-powered bin that uses a camera to identify materials such as plastic, glass and paper with precision motors that sort waste automatically and ensure proper recycling. Photo: Handout Your invention could change the world Innovation isn't just about scale; it's about intention. By designing tech that is both powerful and planet conscious, these young minds exemplify how innovation thrives when paired with intention. Whether it's a smart bin, an energy dashboard or an app uniting global youth, their work reminds us that sustainability starts with a single step – or a single click. Ellen Lau, Preface's director, recently spoke at a TEDx Talk event about her journey in empowering students. She highlighted the importance of adapting to change, saying, 'In a world where 65 per cent of future jobs don't even exist yet, it's important to embrace change and find joy in the process.' Every line of code, every prototype and every idea contributes to a greener future. Whether you're improving a smart recycling bin or developing an energy dashboard, your creativity makes a real difference. Ellen Lau, Preface's director, speaks at a TEDx Talk event. Photo: Handout Sponsored by At PST, we make technology education accessible and fun for learners of all ages. Our mission is to ignite a passion for technology, empowering them to confidently navigate the digital landscape.
