The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Ant Digital Technologies today signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish the “PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies Joint Lab on AI and Web3”. This collaboration will drive breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, innovation ecosystem and incubation,as well asa source of innovationand technology. By exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 technologies, the Joint Lab is poisedto be a global innovation hub. Ant Digital Technologies plans to invest up to HKD100 million over the next three years to support the Joint Lab's research work and project incubation.
Witnessed by Mr CHAN Ho Lim, Joseph, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; and Mr Eric Xiandong JING, Chairman of Ant Group, the agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Mr Wenbiao ZHAO, Chief Executive Officer of Ant Digital Technologies.
The Joint Lab will focus on three core domains: trustworthy AI agents, AI-enhanced blockchain security architecture and data privacy verificationtechnologies. Related initiatives will accelerate the developmentof intelligent services and help ensurethe secure circulation of digital assets. To foster the development of innovation ecosystem and incubation, an “AI + Web3 Education Fund Platform,” will be established to fully leverage PolyU's strong research capabilities and Ant Digital Technologies' extensive industry resources, supporting Hong Kong's development into a digital technology talent hub. The Joint Lab will host international technology seminars and innovation competitions, solidifying its position as a world-class academic brand.
Prof. Jin-Guang Tengsaid, “The Joint Lab is a strategic initiative designed tofosterinterdisciplinary convergence of cutting-edge technologies,propellingHong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology hub and a global hub for digital asset innovation. We anticipatethis strong partnership will drive deep integration and breakthrough innovation inAI and Web3 applications, yieldingglobally impactfulsolutionsthat acceleratethe growth of adigital economy in Hong Kong and beyond.”
Mr Wenbiao Zhaosaid, “Harnessing its robust technological expertise and comprehensiveservice scenarios,Ant Digital Technologies will partnerclosely with PolyU to bridgeindustry, academia and research capabilities.This collaboration will accelerate breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies and facilitate their widespreadcommercialimplementation.”
Mr Eric Jingsaid, “Ant Group is optimistic about Hong Kong's future and remains committed to investing in the City. We look forward to this collaboration,which unlocksHong Kong's transformative potential at the intersection of AI and Web3 – accelerating its growth as a global hub for innovation and technology, finance, and trade.”
Reflecting its academic leadershipin AI and Web3 technologies, PolyU was ranked first in CoinDesk'sBest Universities for Blockchain 2022, outperforming240 other universities globally. Building on this excellence, PolyU established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciencesin January 2025, combiningthe expertiseof itsDepartment of Applied Mathematics, Department of Computing, and Department of Data Science and AI. The Universityofferscomprehensiveprogrammes in AI, big data computing, blockchain technology and metaversestudies -all designed to developfuture-ready technologistswith both visionarythinking and practical skills. Thisstrong academic foundation creates an idealplatform for this collaboration.
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As Ant Group'sdigital technology subsidiary, Ant Digital Technologies possesses industry-leading expertise in AI and Web3innovation. The company's pioneering solutions – including its Agentar AI development platform and financial large language model- have achieved widespread adoptionacrossthe financial services sector. In 2024, Ant Digital Technologies participatedin the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Ensemble project, applyingits advanced blockchain technology to facilitatemulti-enterprise tokenisationof renewable energy real-word assets. The company further strengthened its Hong Kong presence this Aprilwhen itwas nameda “Key Enterprise Partner” by the HKSAR Government and established its internationalheadquarters in the City. This extensive industry experience positionsthe Joint Lab to forge industry connections and createvaluablepartnership opportunities.
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