InnoHK is amajor initiative of the Hong Kong Government to develop the city as a hub for global research and innovation. In October 2021, it was formally announced that HKU has been awarded nine InnoHK research laboratories, themost among local universities – six Health@InnoHK labs on healthcare technologies and three AIR@InnoHK labs on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The labs will collectively receivemore than HK$3 billion in funding over five years. Creating New Materials for Renewable Energy: Hong Kong Quantum AI Lab Realising Precision Medicine and Improving Global Health: Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Using big data and machine learning, computational science and experimental research, this centre will develop software tools that can predict the precise properties of materials used in organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) and solid-state lithium-ion batteries, which can readily be extended to solar cells, fuel cells, related catalysts and other chemical research. The results will help widen the use of renewable energy and create new-generation materials for OLED. The centre’s director is Professor Chen Guanhua in the Department of Chemistry, who is collaborating with the California Institute of Technology. Advanced AI applications will be used to realise precision medicine and greater global health. Under the directorship of the Dean of Medicine, Professor Gabriel Leung, Helen and Francis Zimmern Professor in Population Health, this centre will work with massive unique data resources and focus on the mitigation of vaccine hesitancy; next-generation immune-based technologies to detect infectious disease epidemics and understand their dynamics; global influenza monitoring and prediction; pathogen discovery; and AI-driven disease treatment outcome prediction, among other outcomes. Collaborators include the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University College London and the University of Sydney. HKU TAKES A LEAD IN Professor Chen Guanhua Department of Chemistry Professor Gabriel Leung Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine Director Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer AI and Robots that Take Garment Industry to New Heights: Centre for Transformative Garment Production AI and robotics-based solutions will be applied to enhance the operations and output of the garment sector, such as enhanced sewing capabilities, fabric handling and manufacturing; shorter product development cycles; improved efficiency; and better worker safety. A platform will be established for exchanges between industry, universities and society to ensure the research is impactful. The centre is directed by Professor Norman C Tien, Taikoo Professor of Engineering, who is collaborating with Tohoku University. Professor Norman C Tien Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Managing Director OUR AIR@INNOHK LABS INNOHK Learn more about InnoHK@HKU Research and Innovation HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2021 24 | 25
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