AI Learning Becoming an Independent Subject: Tseung Kwan O: Considering All Aspects of Development

Members of the Legislative Council are concerned about whether the authorities will follow the example of mainland China and include the study of artificial intelligence-related knowledge in formal courses. Secretary for Education Cai Ruolin said that currently, Hong Kong’s junior high school curriculum involves learning elements involving artificial intelligence, and the elective ICT courses (Information and Communications Technology) in high school curricula also cover related knowledge. As for whether it will consider setting up independent subjects, the authorities will consider various aspects. Development in this area was discussed at the Curriculum Development Council. Election Committee member Wong Kam-fai asked during the oral question session of the Legislative Council whether the Education Bureau would consider adding elements of teaching the use of mainland applications when designing the content of innovative technology courses. Cai Ruolian responded that the current information technology-related courses in middle schools already involve the use of mainland applications and platforms such as WeChat and Baidu, and the authorities will not require schools to use relevant programs. Deng Fei, a member of the Election Committee, is concerned that artificial intelligence has had a huge impact on technological development in recent years. There are already elective subjects in the mainland that specifically teach artificial intelligence knowledge. He asked whether the authorities had plans to add similar subjects to the local curriculum. Chua Ruolin pointed out that Hong Kong’s junior high schools have special units to teach the development of artificial intelligence in relevant subjects, and high schools also have elective subjects covering related content. As for whether it is necessary to add relevant elective subjects as technology develops and keep pace with the times, she said the authorities will consider various factors. , including student needs, etc., and then discussed by the Curriculum Development Council. Source: Hong Kong Economic Journal