CUHK chief seeks more funding to develop in NM

Chinese University Vice-Chancellor Dennis Lo is urging the government to boost financial backing for university development in the Northern Metropolis. Lo contends that while the university's ranking and reputation are robust, its scale is insufficient. He believes that the Northern Metropolis could provide the necessary space for expansion.

Currently, the university feels like a boutique establishment, with a commendable reputation and impactful work, but lacking in size. Lo believes the Northern Metropolis could serve as a means to broaden the university's scale. He acknowledges the government's provision of HK$10 billion in loans for universities to construct campuses in the Northern Metropolis.

However, Lo hopes this sum can be augmented, possibly even surpassing the loan amount with grants, to facilitate more predictable future planning. Lo cautioned that the swift advancement of artificial intelligence might be stifling scientific creativity. While AI's capabilities are impressive, they also risk diminishing human originality.

Lo, an "old-fashioned" scientist, expressed concern that this reliance on AI could remove the excitement from scientific pursuits. He lamented that in the past, he would meticulously contemplate ideas, leading to unique findings. In contrast, future reliance on AI tools might homogenize scientific thought, leaving little room for imagination.