[Hong Kong. 2025.7.29] — The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and tech giant Ant Digital Technologies have officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish the "PolyU-Ant Digital AI + Web3 Joint Lab." This three-year collaboration, supported by an investment of up to HK$100 million from Ant Digital, aims to make Hong Kong a new global center for integrated AI and Web3 innovation.
（Source: PolyU Official Website)
Hong Kong: From a Financial Hub to a Web3 Innovation Powerhouse
For a long time, Hong Kong has been known for its robust legal system and international financial markets. In recent years, the Hong Kong SAR Government has taken a forward-looking approach by actively embracing the digital economy and the Web3 wave. A series of supportive policies and regulatory frameworks have created fertile ground for emerging technologies like cryptocurrencies and blockchain.
This powerful partnership between PolyU and Ant Digital is another key example of Hong Kong’s ongoing transformation. PolyU, a top-ranked university in blockchain research (ranking first globally in CoinDesk's 2022 blockchain university rankings), provides a solid academic foundation. Ant Digital, as a leader in AI and blockchain technologies, brings extensive industry experience and a mature application ecosystem, which will be crucial for translating research into practical applications.
Core Focus: Three Technical Pillars to Drive Future Innovation
The joint lab's strength lies in its ability to perfectly blend deep academic research with real-world industry needs. The collaboration will focus on three core technical areas, which are not only at the cutting edge of technology but also fundamental to the secure and efficient operation of the future digital economy:
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Trustworthy AI Agents: Research will focus on building highly reliable, transparent, and secure AI systems. These "agents" will provide services in critical sectors like finance and healthcare, where their trustworthiness is paramount. This area will ensure AI decision-making processes are traceable and explainable, building greater user trust.
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AI-Enhanced Blockchain Security: This involves using AI technology to monitor and analyze blockchain networks in real-time to proactively detect potential security vulnerabilities and fraudulent activities. This will significantly enhance the defensive capabilities of blockchain systems, providing a higher level of security for digital asset transactions and management.
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Data Privacy Verification Technologies: In an age of increasing data sharing, it's crucial to ensure personal data remains private and secure. Research in this area will explore how to verify the authenticity and validity of data without revealing the original content, offering crucial technical support for decentralized applications and privacy-preserving computing.
This research will accelerate the emergence of intelligent digital services and fundamentally enhance the security of digital assets, which is vital for Hong Kong's rapidly developing digital finance ecosystem.
Profound Impact on Hong Kong's Future
This collaboration's significance goes far beyond a single technology project. It brings multiple benefits to Hong Kong's future development:
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Cementing its Status as an International I&T Hub: By attracting top-tier global talent and technology, the joint lab will significantly raise Hong Kong's profile in the global innovation landscape, helping it evolve from a financial hub into an innovation center with powerful tech-creation capabilities.
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Cultivating Future Digital Talent: Through the establishment of an "AI+Web3 Education Fund Platform," the joint lab will offer Hong Kong's young people world-class education and practical opportunities. This will train a new generation of talent with interdisciplinary knowledge and innovative skills, filling critical gaps in the industry.
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Driving Industrial Upgrades: The project's research outcomes will directly empower Hong Kong's finance, trade, and business sectors, accelerating the digital transformation of traditional industries. For example, trustworthy AI can be used for smart contract auditing, while blockchain security can safeguard digital financial transactions, ensuring the healthy development of Hong Kong's digital economy.
This collaboration is not just a powerful alliance between two institutions; it's a significant milestone for the Hong Kong SAR Government, academia, and industry working together to steer Hong Kong toward a digital future.
