Hong Kong's AI Industry Bridges US-China Gap Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Hong Kong serves as a crucial link between the US and China in the AI industry. Trade tensions have impacted tech collaborations, with restrictions on US investments affecting Hong Kong. Nvidia's ban on selling advanced chips to China has led to a search for alternative solutions.
Lawrence Cheung Chi-chong, the Chief Technology Officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), highlighted the significance of Hong Kong's role in fostering technological collaboration in a recent interview.
Cheung expressed concerns about the barriers hindering technological advancements between the US and China, stating, "A lot of times for us, we don’t know whether we should reach out to our Western counterparts to work with them." He emphasised the challenges faced by scientists, particularly in the field of AI, due to the current geopolitical climate.
The escalating trade tensions and tech rivalry between the US and China have placed Hong Kong in a complex position. Last year, Washington announced restrictions on US investments in Chinese companies, impacting Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, warned that such measures could have adverse effects on US businesses and residents, highlighting the significant trade relationship between the US and Hong Kong.
The restrictions imposed by Washington have also affected leading AI processor supplier Nvidia, which has been prohibited from selling its advanced chips to China. This has prompted local tech firms to seek alternative solutions. Additionally, OpenAI blocked developers in mainland China and Hong Kong from accessing its services, further complicating the tech landscape.
Despite these challenges, Cheung underscored Hong Kong's importance as a gateway for international AI companies seeking access to the Chinese market and for mainland enterprises looking to expand globally. The HKPC has been actively promoting the adoption of AI across various local industries, with a focus on developing an AI model called Industrial GPT to benefit small to medium-sized manufacturers in Hong Kong.
The Industrial GPT model, currently in development at the AI Supercomputing Centre at Cyberport, aims to leverage both Chinese and Western computing solutions. Cheung acknowledged the evolving geopolitical situation and its potential impact on the project's development. Meanwhile, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Hong Kong has made strides in medical AI model development by utilising Huawei Technologies' Ascend processors in light of restrictions on Nvidia's high-end chips.
Hong Kong serves as a crucial link between the US and China in the AI industry.
Trade tensions have impacted tech collaborations, with restrictions on US investments affecting Hong Kong.
Nvidia's ban on selling advanced chips to China has led to a search for alternative solutions.
Source: SCMP