In a recent interview with Ta Kung Pao, Professor Cao Jiannong, Director of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things, spoke with The Honourable Duncan Chiu, Member of the University Court of PolyU. Professor Cao shared his insights on the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence (AI), and discussed its impact on the job market and the importance of practical considerations in AI education.

Professor Cao believed it is inevitable for certain job types to be replaced by AI in the future, but emphasised that AI will encourage the creation of more valuable job roles. “The development of AI will help humans move away from repetitive tasks, allowing us to learn how to use AI creatively and lead a more human-centric path,” he explained. “We should view AI as a tool, not a goal.”

To prepare for the AI era, Professor Cao believed that AI will become a compulsory subject for students in the near future. He stressed the importance of not only teaching concepts but also practical skills. He suggested setting up introductory AI robotic labs in secondary schools where students can interact with robots, as this hands-on approach will help them learn how to work with AI effectively. He also thought that schools can leverage AI to enhance education. “AI can foster new perspectives among students and achieve high efficiency and high outcomes in education,” he noted.

Discussing the current challenges in Hong Kong’s AI sector, Professor Cao pointed out that the issue is not about conducting research or publishing papers but rather how to apply academic findings in practice and achieve commercial success. He also highlighted the importance of government measures to attract and retain talent in the AI field.

As one of the first generations to study computing, Professor Cao shared his journey of becoming a scientist. After studying in Nanjing, the USA, and Australia, he chose to advance his career in Hong Kong due to his cultural ties. “Hong Kong has the perfect blend of a Western academic atmosphere and Chinese culture,” he said. "Looking back, I still believe I made the right decision.”

Professor Cao Jiannong currently holds several significant positions at PolyU, including Dean of the Graduate School and Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing. He is also the Director of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things and the University Research Facility in Big Data Analytics. Additionally, he has been appointed the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science.

Watch the interviews:

Ta Kung Pao (first part)

Ta Kung Pao (second part)