In 2017, artificial intelligence sparked an unprecedented wave of global attention. This was also the year when AI was officially recognized as a national strategy in China. In July, the State Council issued the "New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan," and by December, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the "Three-Year Action Plan for the Development of a New Generation of Artificial Intelligence Industry (2018–2020)."
For HKUST News, which holds over 70% of the Chinese voice market share, this was a pivotal year. In August, it set a new global record in lung nodule testing with a reading accuracy rate of 94.1%. In November, its flagship product, the AI Robotic Intelligence Assistant, became the first robot to pass the National Qualification Examination.
The Ministry of Science and Technology also announced the first four national AI open innovation platforms in November, relying on the intelligent voice platform developed by Beijing University of Science and Technology. Later that month, it approved the establishment of a national key laboratory for cognitive intelligence at the University of Science and Technology of America.
During the 2017 Fortune Global Forum in Guangzhou, Liu Qingfeng, President of HKUST News, was interviewed by the 21st Century Business Herald. He emphasized that AI would bring two major changes: a shift in human-computer interaction and the replication of human capabilities through machines, allowing people to focus on more valuable tasks.
Liu noted that while some jobs, such as customer service or bank tellers, may be replaced, others—like teaching, creative work, and roles requiring empathy—will remain irreplaceable. He also pointed out that even without AI, labor structures will continue to evolve, much like how the coachman disappeared with the rise of automobiles.
AI, he argued, could improve societal well-being by making healthcare and education more accessible and reducing costs. However, he stressed the need for social safety nets to support those affected by job displacement.
Looking ahead, Liu said that in the next three to five years, the AI industry structure will stabilize, and companies that are open and adaptable will have the best chance to succeed. He also encouraged entrepreneurs to focus on niche markets rather than trying to build massive platforms from the start.
HKUST’s AI assistant recently passed the doctor qualification exam with a score above the passing line, demonstrating its ability to understand medical cases and apply logical reasoning. While AI cannot yet replace doctors entirely, it can act as a powerful tool to assist them, especially in areas like cancer detection.
The company is also committed to an open platform strategy, providing core AI technologies to startups and developers. With over 1.5 billion terminals connected to its platform and 465,000 entrepreneurial teams using its services, HKUST aims to build a sustainable ecosystem where AI empowers both industries and individuals.
As AI continues to evolve, Liu believes the future lies in collaboration—humans and machines working together to solve complex problems and create a better society.
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