Opening the event, Tom Standage, deputy editor, The Economist said: “Technology has a very welcome spot in a world that is currently beset by uncertainty and conflict. From AI to medicine to electrical vehicles to solar power, the pace of progress is defying expectations. It’s a cause for optimism when it comes to technology’s ability to change things for the better. A lot of people worry it’s going to take jobs, or somehow turn evil, or wipe out humanity. But I’m not gloomy about Artificial Intelligence (AI)…it reduces the difference of quality between the best and the rest. AI has the intriguing opportunity to reduce inequality instead of increasing it. Technological progress is driving positive change. Technological innovations have the ability to transform lives and to foster social and economic development, to improve healthcare and to hasten the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
In an opening ministerial keynote address, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said: “As we enter a new era of technological revolution and industrial transformation, with AI in particular charting the way, Hong Kong is striving to become an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub…The future is all about AI. The trend of AI technology including generative AI has brought gigantic opportunities as well as challenges worldwide. No doubt, AI technology can enhance work productivity and enterprise efficiency with limitless potential for application.
The second of discussions examined the opportunities provided by AI. Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist, activist, futurologist, and popular-science writer said: “Now is the time to look at quantum computing… to understand your potential and the issues in the market. If you miss the boat, you’re out.”
Technology for Change Asia featured an expert speaker lineup, including:
- Dong Sun, Secretary for innovation, technology and industry, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- Michio Kaku, Theoretical physicist, activist, futurologist, and popular-science writer
- Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia
- Alexis Crowell, Chief technology officer and vice-president, Asia-Pacific and Japan, Intel
- Fan Ho, Executive director and general manager, Asia-Pacific solutions and services group, Lenovo
- Olivier Klein, Chief technologist, Asia-Pacific and Japan, Amazon Web Services
- Idan Zalzberg, Chief technology officer, Agoda
- Andy Wong, Head of innovation and technology, InvestHK
- Jung-Woo Ha, Head of AI innovation, NAVER Cloud
- Daniel Koo, Vice-president, digital, Shangri-La Group
- Ricky Leung, Executive director, engineering and technology, Airport Authority Hong Kong
- Ashish Jain, Director of group applications, AIA Group
- Brad Jones, Chief executive, PayMe HSBC
- Ben Falk, Director, global chief technology office, EY
- Byron Wong, Managing director and head of technology, Asia Private Bank and J.P. Morgan Online International, J.P. Morgan
- Aldric Chau, General manager, digital, Cathay
- Amitabh Sarkar, Vice-president and head of Asia-Pacific, Tata Communications
- Ricky Leung, Executive director, engineering and technology, Airport Authority Hong Kong
- and many more
Taking place in Hong Kong with a commitment to return for another two years, Economist Impact’s 4th annual Technology for Change Asia united over 450 solutions-oriented leaders to explore the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, Web3, DeFi and crypto, and the future of work in applying technology for impact.
The event is sponsored by Ernst & Young and TATA Communications, and is supported by Brand Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Tourism Board, InvestHK and StartmeupHK. Live translation into Cantonese and Putonghua is offered by KUDO.
