SNA encouraged Collaboration of Innovative Technology Ecosystem in The Journey of AI and Robotics: From Research to Market

On 19 August 2022, Friday, Semiconductor Nanotechnology Alliance (SNA) joined hands with Invest Hong Kong and Hong Kong Science Park Corporation (HKSTP) to co-organize the event, The Journey of AI and Robotics: From Research to Market, focusing on AIR@InnoHK and technology commercialisation. AIR@InnoHK is a major initiative by the HKSAR government for artificial intelligence and robotics technologies to develop Hong Kong as the hub for global research collaboration. 14 newly formed research laboratories are established under AI and robotics (AIR) cluster at the HKSTP by collaborating with top-notch research institutions locally and globally to conduct world-class and impactful collaborative research.

SNA exchanged perspectives on how innovative technologies to be created and commercialised by building a healthy ecosystem in Hong Kong. Prof. Tim Cheng, Co-Chair of Technology & Innovation Committee of SNA, Vice-President for Research and Development of HKUST and Center Director of AI Chip Center for Emerging Smart Systems (ACCESS), introduced the Center is putting Hong Kong on the global map of advancing artificial intelligence integrated circuit design technologies and co-design of software and hardware. 4 research themes are joint effort by coordination of multi-disciplinary experts from Stanford University, CHUK, HKU and HKUST. Prof. Cheng presented the Center is combining practitioners with academia to create the application specified AI chip design to overcome the real technical challenges. Furthermore, he shared the tremendous demand from system companies that require ownership of chip in order to keep competitive and differentiate with its rivals therefore he believes it is a great opportunity for the Center to work with the industry to realise ubiquitous AI applications used throughout the society.

Another representative from SNA was James Ieong, Co-Chair of Industry & Entrepreneurship Committee and Founder of Pagoda capital, introduced SNA as a non-profit making organisation with mission of prompting deep tech in Hong Kong and he also highlighted the Microelectronics white-paper published by SNA which contains an overview of Hong Kong microelectronics landscape and some key recommendations to the HKSAR. James pointed out that Hong Kong having an excellent research foundation is well-known but financial capital is essential to boost up from 0 to 1 of venture formation.

Together, SNA, Invest Hong Kong, different research centres and institutions are elevating Hong Kong as a diversified I&T hub, where I&T talents and industry can realize their potential and reveal the competitiveness synergized by collaborative sector effort.