Higher Education Know-how
Start Your AI Journey: The Future Prospects and Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming our world, its influence extending from everyday minutiae to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs. No longer a distant technology, AI has become integral to various sectors, from artistic creation and autonomous driving to medical diagnostics and financial technology. The AI field undoubtedly offers unprecedented development opportunities for the younger generation. The following will help you understand AI's development prospects and applications, supporting your career development in this field.
In the coming years, AI is expected to show significant growth in these areas:
1. Autonomous Driving: AI is the core of self-driving technology, processing data from various sensors, making driving decisions, and controlling vehicle movements. Companies such as Tesla, Waymo, Cruise, Zoox, and Apollo have begun piloting autonomous taxis and logistics services in select regions. Research and testing of self-driving vehicles will accelerate and continuously optimise to achieve higher coverage rates. Autonomous vehicles will revolutionise global transportation, improving efficiency and safety.
2. Smart Transportation: AI analyses vast amounts of traffic data to predict traffic flow, optimise signal control, and enhance traffic management efficiency. Many companies, including Alibaba and Huawei, actively participate in smart traffic management by providing AI-based solutions.
3. Medical and Healthcare: AI data analysis is widely used in medical sector, analysing patient data, medical history, and lifestyle habits for early detection of conditions. AI can develop personalised treatment plans, improving therapeutic outcomes whilst reducing side effects. Drug development relies on AI to analyse biological and chemical data, predict drug molecule efficacy and safety, shortening development cycles and reducing costs. Additional medical applications such as AI-assisted diagnosis, telemedicine, and surgical robots will drive revolutionary progress in healthcare, improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, and disease prevention.
4. Financial Technology: AI analyses financial data, transaction patterns, and user behaviour to identify anomalous transactions like credit card fraud, enabling preventive measures and enhancing transaction security. Machine learning algorithms can more accurately assess credit risks based on borrowers' credit history, income, and expenditure, establishing more reasonable loan rates whilst saving assessment time.
5. Smart Manufacturing: AI is crucial for Hong Kong's ‘Industry 4.0’ implementation, driving industrial automation and intelligent upgrading. Product defect detection through image recognition technology enables quality control, improving product quality and reducing defect rates. AI robots assist in complex production tasks like welding, spraying, and assembly, whilst AI analysis of production and equipment data optimises processes and enables predictive maintenance.
As technology advances, AI will penetrate more sectors, creating new opportunities. The demand for AI talent will continue growing in the coming years. To enter the AI field, you should develop these skills:
- Strong Mathematical Foundation: Linear algebra, calculus, probability theory, and statistics are essential for learning AI.
- Programming Skills: Python proficiency is essential, as it is the most commonly used language in AI.
- Machine Learning Algorithms: Understanding common algorithms like linear regression, logistic regression, decision trees, and support vector machines is crucial.
- Deep Learning: Neural networks, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) are the deep learning model that should be learnt are deep learning models that should be studied.
- Practical Experience: Participating in real-world projects builds problem-solving capabilities.
AI intersects with many fields, including computer programming, the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, and languages. If you are interested in AI, you may consider studying related programmes such as computer science, data science, or machine learning. Through systematic learning and practice, you can achieve success in this field and begin your AI journey.
HKCT provides ‘AI’ related programmes:
Higher Diploma in Applied Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and AI Engineering (Year 1 entry) 
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and AI Engineering (Year 3 entry)
This programme is subsidised under the 'Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme'. The Scheme is subject to annual review by the government.
Want to learn more about what jobs you can get with AI?
Read our other article: Your Future in AI: A Guide to Careers and Getting Started
