EduAsiaNews, Hongkong – A group of academics in Hong Kong has developed a regional artificial intelligence (AI) model called HKGAI-V1, designed to address local needs while strengthening technological sovereignty in Asia. The model has been built with Hong Kong’s multilingual context in mind—Cantonese, Mandarin, and English—making it more relevant for supporting various strategic sectors.
In their latest scientific publication, the research team explained that the model integrates a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) approach, enabling the system to combine generative capabilities with more verified knowledge databases. “This approach is essential to improve accuracy while preserving local context in every AI-generated response,” said Director of the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center, Prof. Yike Guo.
The development of HKGAI-V1 focuses not only on technical aspects but also on AI governance grounded in local values. The model is designed for broad application across the public sector, legal services, and education, with the aim of strengthening a more independent and trustworthy digital ecosystem. “We want to ensure that the AI technology we develop is not only advanced but also aligned with the social and cultural needs of Hong Kong society,” Prof. Yike Guo added.
This initiative reflects a growing trend across Asia toward AI sovereignty, where countries and regions are striving to develop artificial intelligence systems that are not entirely dependent on global technologies. Initiatives such as HKGAI-V1 are considered crucial in building an inclusive, secure, and globally competitive AI ecosystem. (**)
