Youthful innovators unleash AI power at AIIT Competition 2024-2025

The Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT) and the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education jointly hosted the grand final of the Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Technology (AIIT) Competition 2024-2025 on 8 March at EdUHK’s Tai Po campus. Ten finalist teams, comprising students from various secondary schools, presented their innovative projects and answered questions from the judging panel during the final event. This year’s event concluded successfully with the announcement of the top three winning teams, alongside those receiving merit awards and special awards.

At the half-day event, ten finalist teams presented their ideas on using AI or innovative technology to promote sustainable development before the judging panel. The three-member team from Youth College (International), consisting of Wong Boonyapat, Kinder Cheng Kin-tat and Ernest Ngai Chi-yeung, took the championship with their AI-based Road Defect Detection Digital Twin System. Tse Shing-ya from St. Paul’s College secured second place with his AI-assisted anti-fraud app. The Stroke Assistant app designed by three students from Heung To Secondary School (Tseung Kwan O) – Wong Yuen-ching, Mak Yan-tung and Li Chi-kong — won the third place.

This year’s event focused on using AI or innovative technology to advance the UN’s agenda for sustainable development. The competition introduced the Best Generative AI Application Award (最佳生成式人工智能應用獎) to encourage the use of generative AI among young students. Over thirty teams from secondary schools submitted entries for the first stage, held between October 2024 and January 2025. These designs utilised mobile apps, IoT technology, artificial intelligence, programming, 3D printing, laser cutting, metalwork, and woodwork to improve educational equity, environmental protection, and people's livelihoods, contributing to a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future. Ten teams were selected for the final round.

Professor Philip Yu Leung-ho, chairman for the organising committee of the AIIT Competition 2024-2025, delivered a concluding remark at the final event. “I am delighted to see our young generation embracing new technologies. Many teams incorporated concepts like AI agents and digital twins into their projects. They keep pace with the times, using Generative AI tools like DeepSeek to enhance their designs,” he said.

Professor Yu emphasised that in addition to innovation, real-world functionality is crucial for successful designs. “It is beneficial if inventors focus on making their designs practical. To improve inventions, students should spend more time understanding users’ needs and experiences. I hope one day, your inventions will become real products that improve people’s lives,” the veteran professor in AI and data science said.

Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS, officiated the opening of the final competition. In his opening remarks, he encouraged young students to use innovative thinking and advanced technology to address societal challenges. Professor Li thanked the Education Bureau (EDB), particularly the Mathematics Education Section of the Curriculum Support Division, the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education, the Hong Kong Joint School Technology Education Association and the Hong Kong Technology Education Association for their support. He especially acknowledged the financial support from the Mr and Mrs Lam Kin Research Fund for Artificial Intelligence in Educational and Financial Technologies for the AIIT Competition 2024-2025.

Dr Alpha Ling Man-ho, Acting Head of the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT), and Ms Miriam Cheung Mei-sin, Curriculum Development Officer (Mathematics) of EDB, attended the final competition alongside other distinguished guests. Ms Elly Heung Yuk-mui from MIT, the vice-chairman of the organising committee, moderated the final event.

Mr Cheung Man-yuen, Chairman of the Hong Kong Joint School Technology Education Association, Dr Liu Tak-ching, Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Technology Education Association, and Dr Ng Tsz-kit, Assistant Professor from the department formed the judging panel. The panel selected the top three teams and decided on the merit awards (優異奬), the Most Creative Award (最具創意獎), the Best Presentation Award (最佳演繹獎), the Best Data Analysis Award (最佳數據分析獎) and the Best Generative AI Application Award (最佳生成式人工智能應用獎).

The department took the opportunity to introduce its undergraduate programmes to attending students and teachers. Dr Kell Cheng Hiu-fai introduced the course content, off-campus learning activities, and admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology (BSc(AI&EdTech)) programme, and the double-degree programme of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology and Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Primary Mathematics) (BSc(AIET) & BEd(PM)).

Ms Ellen Xie Yishan explained the course structure of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology and Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Information and Communication Technology and Primary Science) (BSc(AIET) & BEd(ICT&PSci)) double-degree programme. Dr Singh Manpreet, subject coordinator of the double-degree programme, briefed the audience on career prospects for graduates and activities to enhance their knowledge in the discipline.

Click the following links to understand more about MIT programmes:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology, (BSc (AI&EdTech)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology and Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Primary Mathematics), BSc(AIET) & BEd(PM)
• BSc (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology and BEd (Honours) (Information and Communication Technology and Primary Science), BSc(AIET) & BEd(ICT&PSci)

Results of the final competition: