NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

The Power of Questions in the Age of AI

One late August afternoon in a packed Jockey Club Hall at the Asia Society, Dr. Ya-Qin Zhang of Tsinghua University and Prof. Helen Meng of The Chinese University of Hong Kong engaged in a thought-provoking conversation on the new wave of AI, the enduring importance of mathematics, and how humanity can navigate a future shaped by increasingly intelligent systems.

While AI is accelerating discoveries across disciplines, Dr. Zhang argued that mathematical prowess is more important than ever. Beyond helping solve complex problems, mathematics may hold the key to understanding AI itself, which remains, in many ways, a black box. He emphasized that future breakthroughs will require not only more powerful machines, but also deeper mathematical insight.

The discussion also explored the implications of AI for education. Rather than treating AI as an answer-generating tool, Dr. Zhang encouraged students to use it as a partner in inquiry: to challenge it, debate with it, and develop their own perspectives.

Prof. Meng observed that the AI revolution is ultimately not just about technology, but about choices, values, and a future that we collectively shape.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Adriel Chan, Chair of Hang Lung Properties, highlighted a belief at the heart of Hang Lung Mathematics Awards: mathematics is not simply about finding the right answers, but the ability to ask the right questions.

Fields Medalist Prof. Ngô Bảo Châu and Future Science Prize laureate Prof. Ngaiming Mok attended this full-house event, together with other mathematics luminaries as well as students, teachers and principals, alongside distinguished leaders from various sectors of the community. Throughout the afternoon, the discussion on mathematics, AI, and education sparked reflection and dialogue across generations.

Click here to revisit the thought-provoking conversation.