Unleashing the Future: A Resounding Success for HKU Business School’s Inaugural “Connectivity in AI” Programme
The inaugural “Connectivity in AI” programme, designed and delivered by the Undergraduate Student Enrichment Team, was held from March 12 to 14, 2026 and concluded with resounding success. This pioneering three‑day initiative equipped our undergraduates with a clear view of how artificial intelligence is transforming industries and business functions, while helping them prepare for this new era during their university studies.
In an increasingly AI‑driven world, HKU Business School remains committed to forward‑looking programmes that meet students’ evolving needs and connect them directly with leading industry practitioners and cutting‑edge innovation. “Connectivity in AI” exemplified this commitment, offering an eye‑opening experience that highlighted AI’s pervasive influence across today’s business landscape and empowered students to prepare proactively for their future careers.
The programme’s structure provided a holistic and immersive learning journey, blending academic foundations, firm visits, and practical skill‑building:
- Foundational academic perspective
- Dr Chao Ding, BBA(BA) Programme Director, delivered an overview of AI‑enabled business applications, distinguishing AI, machine learning, and deep learning, and illustrating applications across e‑commerce and retail, finance, transportation, and media. This session established a common understanding to support the subsequent firm visits.
- Firm visits: practical opportunities and challenges across industries
Four visits showcased how organisations are adopting AI in practice:- Finance and banking (UBS AG Hong Kong): An exploration of corporate AI strategy and how UBS operates as an AI‑enabled institution, deploying AI at scale to create responsible, sustainable impact for clients, employees, and shareholders.
- Consulting (Capco): Insights into AI‑driven transformation, demonstrating how AI addresses customer‑service pain points and delivers tangible business value. AI augments, rather than replaces, consulting.
- Electronics (Samsung Electronics Hong Kong): Perspectives from senior management on staying ahead in the AI era with human-centered innovation, with a focus on tailored solutions for diverse client needs. and how Samsung’s products support both B2B and B2C contexts, leveraging a seamless multi-device ecosystem to harness the collective power of their technology.
- Start‑up (FirstResume @ HKSTP): The session featured startup leaders who use AI firsthand in their products and operations, sharing real-life insights on how human judgment remains central, with AI serving as an assistance tool. It highlighted the importance of combining AI with interpersonal skills, business acumen, and cross-industry knowledge, underscoring the irreplaceable value of human creativity and decision-making in the AI-driven era.
- Reinforcement of Skill-Building in AI Engagement
Two hands‑on workshops strengthened practical capabilities: - “AI in Banking and Finance” by AmplifyME: A hands-on simulation where students stepped into the role of an investment manager, making real-time decisions on portfolio construction and performance management. The session combined applied market scenarios with structured performance feedback, helping students understand how AI is shaping decision-making, risk analysis, and skills development in modern financial roles.
- “AI and Copilot” by Microsoft Hong Kong: An introduction to M365 Copilot with demonstrations of financial use cases via Copilot Chat, Agent Mode, and Office Agents, and live examples in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word to enhance productivity.
Across these sessions, students engaged directly with industry leaders, gained valuable insights, and built the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The highly positive feedback from participants affirms the programme’s success. We are confident that “Connectivity in AI” has not only broadened our students’ horizons but also equipped them to leverage AI ethically and effectively throughout their studies and future careers.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all partnering organisations and speakers for their invaluable contributions. HKU Business School remains dedicated to nurturing future‑ready leaders capable of navigating—and shaping—the complexities of the global business environment.
