Human-centered technology

Qin visited universities in the US and Europe and attended several international forums earlier this year. He found that many international institutions still lack the conditions to implement data reforms and comprehensive AI tools usage on their campuses.

Lingnan is well positioned to embrace digitization due to Hong Kong's rapid development in higher education and the relatively unhindered access to resources enjoyed by the city's eight public universities. Furthermore, Lingnan's smaller size - around 6,000 students and 1,000 staff - allows for swift transformation.

Another significant initiative in the university's digital reform process is the setting up of the School of Data Science in May to cover disciplines like AI, programming, machine learning and data science. The new school is the university's sixth faculty, joining the existing departments of arts, business, social sciences, interdisciplinary studies, and the Graduate School.

What sets Lingnan's Data School apart from those of other universities is that it actively helps other colleges at the university to promote traditional disciplines, Qin explains. For example, the Master of Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics program seamlessly integrates data analytics skills with traditional business disciplines. Additionally, the Master of Science in Smart City Technologies and Applications program empowers traditional sectors, such as transport and energy, by incorporating smart city technologies.

Another aspect that makes Lingnan's Data School distinctive is its focus on human-centered technology, integrating data science and AI into humanities fields, including philosophy, society and public policy.

Qin envisions a future where technology seamlessly integrates with other humanities disciplines. For example, students studying Chinese literature can restore images from various dynasties in the digital world; those studying Western culture can leverage AI to create a digital Roman Empire; arts students can explore new avenues of self-expression by employing AI; while philosophy students can delve into the intricate relationship between humans and AI beyond human-to-human interactions.

The development of AI may render certain professions with repetitive skills obsolete, but it does not threaten the humanities, says Qin. Technology can enable humanities subjects to accomplish previously unattainable tasks, enhancing learning experiences and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Furthermore, as people are freed from repetitive work, they will have more time to engage with classic humanities and develop their personality and higher-level thinking.

On the other hand, the humanities can provide valuable insights and guidelines for technology, setting ethical and moral standards in the digital world.

Arts and sciences, or humanities and technology, can mutually reinforce and enhance each other. This is the trend of the times and underscores Lingnan's commitment to liberal arts education in the digital age, says Qin.

Contact the writer at oasishu@chinadailyhk.com