Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Human, Machine, Art, Creativity: International Symposium organised by Hong Kong Baptist University today (August 9):
      
Dr Chen (Chairman of the Council and Court of Hong Kong Baptist University, Dr Clement Chen), Professor Wai (President and Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Alexander Wai), Professor Guo (Vice-President (Research and Development) of Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Guo Yike), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to join you all here at this international symposium themed around Human, Machine, Art and Creativity.
      
     Nowadays, technology is massively applied to all industries. The art and culture sector is no exception. The integration of arts and technology not only expands the reach of arts and its form of presentation, but it also creates new development opportunities for arts practitioners and technology talents.
      
     Both art and technology are the key policy areas of the Government. The National 14th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, as well as an East‑meets‑West centre for international cultural exchange. We believe the development of arts technology (arts tech) in Hong Kong is showing promising prospects.
      
     Leveraging the advanced development in the AI technologies, art creations can be transformed and propelled to the next level, bringing new experiences to audiences and significant socio-economic benefits to the city. I must say, the Hong Kong Baptist University has best demonstrated how AI can be a creative force in performing music, cross-media art and dance at its Symphony Orchestra Annual Gala Concert held last month. The Concert is a remarkable achievement of the pioneering research project entitled Building Platform Technologies for Symbiotic Creativity in Hong Kong, funded by the Theme-based Research Scheme under the Research Grants Council. It truly marks a milestone in the history of arts tech, showing the harmonious collaboration between human and machine.
      
     Indeed, this term of Government attaches great importance to the I&T development of Hong Kong and we encourage every industry sector, including the creative industry, to embrace and adopt technology in their businesses and profession. Various government funds or schemes, including the Innovation and Technology Fund, the Arts and Sport Development Fund, the Film Development Fund and the CreateSmart Initiative, are available to support relevant sectors for implementing projects on integrating technology and arts and promoting arts tech.
      
     Arts and technology, human and machine. They are complementary and mutually reinforcing. I believe Hong Kong's creative industry and I&T industry will be able to take advantage of their synergy and unique strengths, together building Hong Kong into Asia's creative capital, as well as achieving the objectives laid down in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
      
     Before I close, I would like to express my gratitude to the organisers, the Baptist University and the Productivity Council. I am certain that today's Symposium will be a fruitful one. Thank you and have a great day.

Ends/Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:42

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