In an article on the development of low-altitude economy in Hong Kong, the Professor of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) and Division of Integrative Systems & Design (ISD), Prof. LI Mo and his team said that the priority of drone transportation can focus on high-value or emergency scenarios, adding that its costs could be reduced after routes are gradually expanded to cover remote areas and more emergency rescues. (Ming Pao Daily)

The Adjunct Professor of Division of Public Policy (PPOL), Prof. Alicia GARCIA-HERRERO, also Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at Natixis, discusses potential shifts in US President Donald Trump's second-term China policy, focusing on maintaining pressure while prioritizing agreements aligned with US interests. (chosun.com/english)

In an article on the potential for renewed policies and reporting guidelines to help China achieve its carbon neutrality goals by 2030, the Chief Development Strategist of Division of Environment & Sustainability (ENVR) and Institute for the Environment (IENV), Prof. Christine LOH pointed out that coal is still a crucial element of China's energy security, while the country makes significant strides in deploying renewable energy sources. She emphasized that the key challenge lies in determining when China will begin to significantly reduce its coal consumption. Separately, Prof. Loh was among the guests of the 2025 Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Conference at the HK Maritime Museum, which was recently attended by over 200 global and local experts, policymakers, academics, and industry innovators. (Various media)

An article by the Adjunct Professor of Division of Integrative Systems & Design (ISD), Prof. Erwin HUANG, has developed "Prof E," an AI chatbot that is currently being tested at four universities in HK. The trial will also be extended to primary and secondary schools. "Prof E" is trained alongside real professors to offer emotional support and guidance in critical thinking, helping students with their personal and academic development. (HK Economic Journal)

A research team led by the Assistant Professor of Division of Arts and Machine Creativity (AMC) and Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas (EMIA), Prof. XUE Wei, has developed an advanced audio model, The LLaSA-3B, through meticulous fine-tuning of the Llama 3.2 framework, representing a groundbreaking innovation in text-to-speech (TTS) technology. This sophisticated model is designed to deliver ultra-realistic audio output that transcends the boundaries of conventional voice synthesis. The LLaSA-3B is gaining widespread acclaim for its ability to produce lifelike and emotionally nuanced speech in both English and Chinese, setting a new benchmark for TTS applications. (marktechpost.com)

A column article by the Adjunct Professor of Division of Integrative Systems & Design (ISD), Prof. Erwin HUANG, on using AI to address the forgetting curve. (HK Economic Journal)

HKUST has been commissioned by the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to lead the development of the world's first lightweight, high-resolution high-precision carbon dioxide and methane synergistic observatory payload, namely Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO). This project is set to become HK’s first payload to China's Tiangong Space Station aboard the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft for research and application. The Vice-President for Research & Development (VPRDO), Prof. Tim CHENG stated that in the face of complex and interrelated climate challenges, HKUST responds with its research excellence, by integrating research and innovation to drive global emission reduction and promote sustainable development as a tangible goal through a national space mission. The research project is co-led by the Chair Professor of Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CIVL), Prof. SU Hui and the Head and Chair Professor of Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CIVL), Prof. ZHANG Limin, while the Associate Professor of Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas (EMIA), Prof. ZHAI Chengxing is the mission system engineer. (Various media)

An article by the Adjunct Professor of Division of Public Policy (PPOL), Prof. Alicia GARCIA-HERRERO titled "Oxford debate: Is India ready to replace China as the engine of global growth?" (Asia Society)

HKUST launching a pioneering education technology initiative aimed at revolutionizing English education for secondary school students in Hong Kong. With over HK$30 million in funding from the Quality Education Fund (QEF), the initiative will develop an AI-powered English assessment and learning system, offering free access to all secondary school students.

Two articles by the Adjunct Professor of Division of Integrative Systems & Design (ISD), Prof. Erwin HUANG on "enhancing the soft power of universities and building HK into an international education hub" and "four steps to make the most of AI learning". (HK Economic Times and HK Economic Journal)