Prof. FU Hongbo, Acting Head and Professor in the Division of Arts and Machine Creativity (AMC), spoke on cultivating the next generation of Art Tech talents through innovative interdisciplinary pedagogy at “Stepping into the Digital Intelligence Era: Forum on Art and Technology Talent Development” held in Beijing on April 29, 2026.

Outlining the Division’s four key pillars of Machine Creativity, Machine-assisted Art Practice, Critical Studies, and Art Management, Prof. Fu highlighted AMC’s unique “education–research–practice–industry engagement” model, which is designed to nurture a new wave of creative professionals capable of leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the artistic process. Notably, the postgraduate programs launched by AMC are the first in Hong Kong to focus on the synergistic creativity and innovation between humans and machines. 

Prof. Fu emphasized how AMC bridges the gap between academic research and real-world practice through student-led initiatives and large-scale public events, pointing to the HKUST AI Film Festival (AIFF) as a prime example. The AIFF, launched in 2025, was the first AI film festival in Greater China, receiving submissions from over 700 filmmakers—including award-winning directors, Emmy-nominated storytellers, and both established and emerging producers—representing over 80 countries and regions.

Building on last year’s landmark success, the AIFF returns this year on a much larger scale. The upcoming festival, scheduled for May 16–17, 2026, received over 1,300 submissions from across the globe and introduces new competitive categories, including AI Music, to continue pushing the boundaries of AI-driven creativity.

For more details of the AIFF, please visit the website here.