Harvard and Cambridge Join Hong Kong Summit on Humanities in AI Era
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit, organized by the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship, will be held on October 27 and 28 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Presidents or senior management from more than 50 universities worldwide, including Harvard and Cambridge, are set to attend the event. The forum aims to spark debate on the role of humanities programmes in an era increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence (AI). Lawmaker and law professor Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, founding president of the association, emphasized that universities should reconsider their approach to AI development, highlighting the importance of humanities in technology design .
Key Points
- Summit dates: October 27-28, 2026, at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai
- More than 50 universities attending, including Harvard and Cambridge
- Presidents or senior management from each institution expected to participate
- Ten local university heads will each moderate panel discussions on education, workforce future, and AI
- Five government ministers from different bureaus confirmed to attend the summit
- Association founding president Priscilla Leung Mei-fun raised concerns about universities blindly developing AI
- Some AI companies have begun hiring philosophy graduates to set ethical guidance for technology use
- One student from each participating university will have their trip subsidized
- Forum described as window for outsiders to learn more about Hong Kong
Why It Matters
The summit arrives at a critical juncture as AI reshapes industries and labour markets globally, prompting institutions to re-examine the balance between technological advancement and humanistic education. The Hong Kong forum provides a platform for Western and Asian universities to exchange perspectives on embedding ethics and humanities into AI development, which could influence future curriculum design and policy-making . By bringing together over 50 universities, the event positions Hong Kong as a hub for global academic dialogue on technology's role in society.
The summit arrives at a critical juncture as AI reshapes industries and labour markets globally, prompting institutions to re-examine the balance between technological advancement and humanistic education. The Hong Kong forum provides a platform for Western and Asian universities to exchange perspectives on embedding ethics and humanities into AI development, which could influence future curriculum design and policy-making . By bringing together over 50 universities, the event positions Hong Kong as a hub for global academic dialogue on technology's role in society.