HKUST and WeChat Establish Joint Lab on Artificial Intelligence Technology

Abstract

[evdate 2015-11-26] 

Home > About HKUST > Media Relations > Press Releases > HKUST and WeChat Establish Joint Lab on Artificial Intelligence Technology HKUST and WeChat Establish Joint Lab on Artificial Intelligence Technology 01-12-2015

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) celebrated the opening of the WeChat-HKUST Joint Laboratory on Artificial Intelligence Technology (WHAT LAB) on 26 November. The Joint Laboratory is dedicated to foster artificial intelligence and big data research to improve people’s living and advance the frontiers of knowledge, marking a milestone in the collaboration of WeChat and the higher education sector.

WHAT LAB, located in HKUST, will be led by Prof Qiang Yang, New Bright Professor of Engineering, Chair Professor and Head of Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Research areas of WHAT LAB include intelligent robotic systems, natural language processing, data mining, speech recognition and understanding. The Lab will bring together top researchers in the development of innovative artificial intelligence application with the database of WeChat.

Mr Harvey Zhou, General Manager of Technical Architecture of WeChat and his team attended the ceremony. “WeChat currently has 650 million monthly active users and tens of thousands of official accounts. We are looking for a research powerhouse to support its research in artificial intelligence and data mining,” said the WeChat team. “This collaboration not only demonstrates WeChat’s continuous support to the innovative efforts of the higher education sector, but also provides a platform for WeChat and HKUST to turn theories into reality. The talents from both sides will work together in the hope to realize the vision of a smart and intelligent human life.”

The WeChat team added, “We are committed to create a dynamic internet ecosystem, and our investment in artificial intelligence reflects the vision we have for our future.

“We are excited to establish the Joint Lab which combines one of the most important internet platforms in the world with one of the world’s best research universities,” said Prof Tony F Chan, President of HKUST. “Asia is in a good position to make major contributions to AI and big data as there is a large user base. Big data research is also aligned with HKUST’s strategic direction.”

“WeChat is one of the most important mobile platform companies in the world. The Joint Lab on Artificial Intelligence will not only strengthen WeChat’s ability to provide services intelligently, but also enable HKUST to become a top player in AI research and practice worldwide,” said Prof Qiang Yang.

Prof Yang’s main research area focuses on machine learning, data mining and artificial intelligence. He set up the Huawei Noah’s Ark Lab which conducts state-of-the-art research in big data and artificial intelligence in 2012. Prof Yang is a fellow of IEEE and AAAI. He is on the editorial board of several international journals ie IEEE Intelligent Systems. He has also co-chaired in several international conferences

Officiating guests at the plaque unveiling ceremony: (1st to 3rd from left) The WeChat team and (from 5th from right) HKUST President Prof Tony F CHAN; Prof Joseph LEE, Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies; Dr Eden WOON, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement; Prof Tongxi YU, Acting Dean of Engineering; and Prof Qiang YANG, New Bright Professor of Engineering, Chair Professor and Head of Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Officiating guests at the plaque unveiling ceremony: (1st to 3rd from left) The WeChat team and (from 5th from right) HKUST President Prof Tony F CHAN; Prof Joseph LEE, Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies; Dr Eden WOON, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement; Prof Tongxi YU, Acting Dean of Engineering; and Prof Qiang YANG, New Bright Professor of Engineering, Chair Professor and Head of Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sherry No Tel: 2358 6317 Email: sherryno@ust.hk

Ella Au Yeung Tel: 2358 6306 Email: ellaauyeung@ust.hk

UST Explore the Site Map

About HKUST About the Campus Awards Governance HKUST at a Glance HKUST Directory Jobs in HKUST Media Relations Organization Chart Publications & Multimedia Rankings Senior Administration Strategic Plan Administration Campus Services Office Center for the Arts Court, Council and Senate Secretariat Development and Alumni Office Facilities Management Office Finance Office Health, Safety and Environment Office Human Resources Office Information Systems Office Information Technology Services Center Office of Academic Quality and Undergraduate Studies Office of Planning and Institutional Research Office of Postgraduate Studies Office of the Dean of Students Office of the Executive Vice-President and Provost Office of the President Office of the Vice-President for Administration and Business Office of the Vice-President for Institutional Advancement Office of the Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies Public Affairs Office Publishing Technology Center Purchasing Office Student Affairs Office Research Central Research Facilities Entrepreneurship Center Knowledge Transfer Mainland China Research Platforms Office of the Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies Open Research, Innovation and Collaboration Network Research @HKUST Research Centers and Institutes Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Life@HKUST A Good Story to Tell Aesthetics & Culture Campus Communal Space Campus Services Career Services Community Engagement Counseling & Wellness First Year Success Global Learning Experience Library Living Learning Communities myPortal Recreational Facilities Scholarships, Financial Aid and Insurance Sports & Wellness Student Activities Student Amenities Student Housing Student Life Summer Programs Sustainability Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program University Calendar Academics Continuing and Professional Education HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study Library Office of the Executive Vice-President and Provost Postgraduate Studies Programs & Courses Schools & Programs Offices Teaching & Learning Undergraduate Studies University Calendar Admissions Postgraduate PG Visiting (Course-based) PG Visiting (Research) Scholarships, Financial Aid and Insurance Student Exchange Summer Programs Undergraduate UG Visiting Global Connections A Truly International University A Close-knit Alumni Network Contribution at Highest Academics Level Global Learning Opportunities Global Partnerships Mainland China Connections International and Mainland China Students – PG International and Mainland China Students – UG Student Exchange Research Collaborations with Mainland China

X Library myPortal Giving Jobs@HKUST Contact Us Youtube Facebook RSS Accessibility Privacy Policy