Meet Salman Naqvi: the bright spark in AI and EdTech

Mr Salman Naqvi, a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology (BSc(AI&EdTech)) at the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT), has been selected as one of the EdUHK Rising Stars, an initiative commemorating the University’s 30th anniversary. The student from Pakistan is among the first cohort of international students admitted to an undergraduate programme at FLASS under the faculty’s full entrance scholarships. Launched in the academic year 2023/24, this scholarship provides comprehensive financial coverage for four years.

Born in Pakistan, Mr Naqvi has travelled to fifteen countries and completed his pre-university education in the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, which have nurtured his global perspective. The well-travelled student considered pursuing his undergraduate studies in Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, but ultimately chose EdUHK due to Hong Kong’s strategic location. “The city offers unparalleled access to the latest developments in mainland China. Located at the centre of East Asia, Hong Kong’s role as a financial and trading hub is attractive. Furthermore, its proximity to mainland China provides excellent employment opportunities for AI graduates,” he said.

The Pakistani student emphasised that China is leading in many technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence (AI). “China is at the forefront of AI. If you examine the latest cutting-edge models, be it video, image, text generation, or any other models, and AI leaderboards too, Chinese models consistently rank at the top. The country hosts numerous AI companies engaged in extensive research and development projects. Qwen and DeepSeek, two Large Language Models (LLMs) developed by Chinese firms, are among the best performing models globally. I also observe that mainland Chinese companies are pioneering developments in humanoid robotics,” Mr Naqvi excitedly explained.

Since joining EdUHK in September 2023, the second-year student at MIT has actively explored various resources at the University to enhance his learning experience. Among these is the Multimodal Intelligence Laboratory, where he conducts part-time research. “The lab is filled with innovative AI projects. It’s a place where I’ve witnessed research focused on practical applications of AI to address real-world challenges. These include developing intelligent tutoring systems tailored to individual learning styles and a system that allows users to control a robotic hand by casually speaking to it,” the staunch advocate of AI technology stated.

Mr Naqvi is passionate about learning; beyond classroom lectures and laboratory work on campus, he finds inspiration in workplace experiences. Reflecting on his joy of learning through real-life work situations, he said: “I interned at two start-up companies during the past summer break. At a company established under a business incubation programme within HKSTP, I participated in a research project that developed an LLM capable of generating Cantonese lyrics, significantly enhancing my understanding of LLMs. Additionally, I collaborated on an image-generation system project at another start-up that uses AI to create visual simulations for job seekers based on their own photos, helping them visualise what working in various industries would be like.”

Mr Naqvi expressed gratitude towards MIT’s academic and administrative staff for their support throughout his studies at EdUHK. “Salman's intellectual curiosity was a defining characteristic of his performance in my course last semester. His AI-focused business proposal showcased not only strong technical skills but also a profound understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape,” commented Dr Haoran Cheung Ho-yin, who teaches GEL1024 Technology Entrepreneurship in AI-enhanced Business.

“Moreover, his interests extended far beyond entrepreneurship to encompass history, culture, and even Mandarin, as suggested by his WeChat activity. This broad intellectual engagement, combined with his receptiveness to feedback and his insightful perspective on the relationship between education and technology, made him an exceptional student,” Dr Cheung continued.

While some expressed concerns that the rise of AI may lead to significant job losses, Mr Naqvi remains optimistic that it will enhance rather than diminish people’s quality of life. “During the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, many feared machines would replace human workers; however history demonstrated that industrialisation created new industries and job types, while stimulating economic growth. The AI revolution is expected to bring about similar changes; while certain jobs may be displaced, new employment opportunities are likely to emerge,” he asserted.

A lover of mathematics, physics and computer science, Mr Naqvi enjoys reading books, cooking, travelling, learning, and playing video games during his leisure time. Looking ahead, he is eager to contribute to ongoing research but also to initiate his own projects by age 30. “I envision myself deeply engaged in cutting-edge research within AI and robotics by then while also exploring particle physics, astronomy, and quantum mechanics too. I dream of working on projects in these fields at the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences,” he elaborated. 

He noted that the BSc(AI&EdTech) programme has greatly deepened his understanding of how AI solutions can be applied within educational settings to make genuine impacts on people’s lives. “The entrance scholarship has opened many doors for me and boosted my confidence. My education at EdUHK has been transformative, instilling in me a sense of tenacity, effective communication skills, and a proactive mindset. I firmly believe that with the right attitude and deliberate actions, we possess the power to shape our destinies,” he said.

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