WTISD 2025 Proposal Competition and ICT Open Day engage students in innovating AI communication solutions for societal equality

Innovative solutions call for creative minds and fresh perspectives. Today’s youth are full of ideas unbridled by conventions. The WTISD Proposal Competition encourages students to develop original solutions centred around the application of telecommunications technology.

This year’s competition engages them to push the envelope and innovate AI communication solutions that can be utilised to promote equality, including, but not limited to, learning, social, economic, gender, language barriers, uneven educational resources, ageing and race, and to improve communication and an equitable digital future within our communities in Hong Kong.

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The Hong Kong government is firmly committed to promoting equal opportunities for all and eliminating all forms of discrimination. Various legislative, administrative, and educational measures promote equal opportunities for people of different genders, family status, sexual orientation, and race, among others.

Nevertheless, discrimination is still prevalent in Hong Kong’s workplace, according to an advocacy group. For instance, figures from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department show that the gender pay gap in Hong Kong widened to 21 per cent in 2021, compared with 18 per cent in 2011. Only 38 per cent of Hong Kong’s women were in management positions, while 62 per cent were men.

Hong Kong is a culturally diverse society, and nearly 92 per cent of its population is Chinese. Some ethnic minority communities are often incorrectly associated with poverty, crime, and hygiene issues and suffer from racial discrimination. Insufficient proficiency in the Chinese language limits employment opportunities and tertiary education options among people from ethnic minority groups.

Ageism is a highly prevalent form of discrimination in Hong Kong. According to a survey by the Association of the Retired Elderly, 34 per cent of respondents said they did not meet job requirements due to age. Those who are already employed encounter multiple forms of age-related bias at work. The most common types of discrimination include lower pay, being passed up for promotion, and being let go after a restructuring.

AI holds the potential to reduce inequality if harnessed for social good. AI-driven innovations in healthcare, education, and agriculture can uplift living standards in developing countries, closing the gap between rich and poor. AI in communications can significantly enhance equality in our society in several ways, including breaking language barriers, promoting accessibility for people with disabilities, and reducing bias by identifying and mitigating biases in communication platforms.

AI can provide personalised learning experiences for individual students, empower marginalised communities, and advance new healthcare solutions. By leveraging AI in these ways and more, we can work towards a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

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The Proposal Competition invites students from Secondary Four to Six and tertiary levels to submit a proposal in: a) written format (500-1,000 words) or b) PowerPoint format (maximum 20 slides and above 400 words) in either English or Chinese.

Entrants are encouraged to provide visuals, charts, or diagrams to support their proposals and effectively communicate their ideas. The competition only accepts individual submissions. The proposals need to include the following elements:

• Identify the target group

• Highlight current equality needs

• Innovative solutions

• Practical implementation

• Impact assessment

Entries will be evaluated by a six-member panel from the Hong Kong ICT industry based on originality, content, writing quality, and visual presentation.

All entrants will receive an eCert. Outstanding and most participating schools will receive trophies. The Champion, First Runner-Up, Second Runner-Up, and 10 outstanding submissions will be selected by the judging panel. All winners will receive Huawei products from Matepad, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and headphones, as prizes at the 2025 WTISD-HK Prize Presentation Ceremony on May 17, 2025.

This flagship event will allow participating students to explore how leading ICT organisations in Hong Kong apply advanced digital technologies to address various issues and why their solutions will ultimately contribute to creating a more equal society.

During this Open Day visit to ICT companies led by ICT professionals, students are expected to gain valuable insights from industry experts. Students from Secondary Four to Secondary Six are welcome to attend. The event is free of charge, with free shuttle bus support.

Previous participants of the ICT Open Day have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, crediting the event and their interactions with tech company executives for deepening their understanding of the ICT sector. The experience has been instrumental in shaping some of their future careers in the technology sector.

This year’s ICT Open Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, with the recruitment period from February 7 to March 21. Please register here.

The registration period and entry submission for the Proposal Competition is from February 7 to April 11, 2025. Submit your entry here.

For more information on WTISD 2025, visit their website.