HKUST Launches Center for Technology and Business Ecosystem to Guide Businesses Through Technology Shifts | Center for Technology and  Business Ecosystem

2025-05-30

The School of Business and Management of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST Business School) has launched today the Center for Technology and Business Ecosystem (the Center), supporting businesses to adapt to technological shifts and thrive in the evolving business environment.

The Center focuses its research on how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, are reshaping business ecosystems, strategies, and industry landscapes. Drawing on the practices of technology firms in China, the Center aims to advance the study of business ecosystems and illuminate the impact of technological disruptions on industries and ecosystem evolution through theoretical frameworks, strategic insights, and case studies. Beyond research, the Center is committed to fostering exchanges between academia, industry, and policymakers within its focus areas.

Prof. HUI Kai-Lung, Center Director and Acting Dean of HKUST Business School, said “As disruptive technologies continue to reshape business ecosystems and strategies, success in the AI age depends on fostering symbiotic relationships between ecosystem players. Focussing on the evolution of technology and business ecosystems, the Center aims to decode the collaborative dynamics in the AI era, from product design and organizational structure to platform governance. By analyzing these forces, we hope to enable businesses to strategically position themselves for long-term success in a tech-driven era.”

The Center’s establishment has been made possible through the generous donation of Dr. HU Yu, Co-founder of iFLYTEK and Advisory Committee member of the Center. Dr Hu said, "AI, robotics, and digital ecosystems are fundamentally reshaping the way businesses compete, collaborate, and create value. As industries evolve at an unprecedented pace, the need to bridge theory with practice and discovery with deployment has never been greater. Bringing together the brightest minds from academia and industry, the new research center is set to offer valuable perspectives that help shape the future of business in an era defined by disruptive technologies."

At the seminar marking the Center’s launch, experts from academia and diverse sectors shared insights on innovation and industry transformation, with keynote addresses delivered by Dr. SI Xiao, Tencent Group Vice President and Director of Tencent Research Institute; and Prof. XU Wenwei, Adjunct Professor at HKUST and former Executive Director of Huawei Group. Dr. MENG Zhaoli, Associate Director of the Center, presented the Center’s inaugural report, exploring paradigm shifts in business ecosystems and the dynamics of innovation, strategic collaboration, and value creation in the AI era.

The seminar also saw insightful exchanges on trending topics relating to technology and the business ecosystem. Moderated by Ms. ZHAO Gening, Deputy General Manager of Harvard Business Review Chinese Edition, the panel discussion featured eminent speakers, including Prof. WEN Weijia, Dean of the Function Hub, HKUST (GZ), Chair Professor of HKUST, Participating Faculty Member of the Center; Mr. HAO Yanshan, Partner of Lingfeng Capital; Mr. CAI Xiongshan, Vice President of Kuaishou and Executive Director of Kuaishou Research Institute, and Mr. XUE Zizhao, Vice President of Investment and Financing at MiniMax.

Prof. Hui Kai-Lung, Acting Dean of HKUST Business School and Director of the Center, gives opening remarks at the ceremony.

Ms. Tracy Liu, CTBE Advisory Committee Member, Founder Mingzhu Training Program, and President of HKUST Alumni Association Shanghai Chapter, delivered a speech on behalf of the donor Dr. HU Yu.

Dr. Si Xiao, Tencent Group Vice President and Director of Tencent Research Institute, gives a keynote speech.

Prof. Xu Wenwei, former Executive Director of Huawei Group and Adjunct Professor at HKUST, gives a keynote speech.

Dr. Meng Zhaoli, Associate Director of the Center, presents the Center’s inaugural report.

Prof. Hui Kai-Lung, Acting Dean of HKUST Business School and Director of the Center (third left); Dr. Meng Zhaoli, Associate Director of the Center (fourth right); Ms Tracy LIU, Founder of the Mingzhu Training Program, President of the HKUST Alumni Association Shanghai Chapter, Member of the Center’s Advisory Committee (second left); GUO kaitian, Senior Vice President of Tencent, Member of the Center’s Advisory Committee (third right); Prof. Web Weijia, Dean of the Function Hub, HKUST (GZ), Chair Professor of HKUST, Participating Faculty Member of the Center (first left); Prof. YANG Jinglei, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, General Director of HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, General Director of HKUST Shenzhen - Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Participating Faculty Member of the Center (second right); Prof. LI Yikun, Associate Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Associate Director of Center of Integrated Micro Systems, Participating Faculty Member of the Center (first right) unveil the plaque of the Center for Technology and Business Ecosystem.

Moderated by Ms. Zhao Gening, Deputy General Manager of Harvard Business Review Chinese Edition (first left), the panel discussion featured eminent speakers, including Prof. Wen Weijia, Dean of the Function Hub, HKUST (GZ), Chair Professor of HKUST, Participating Faculty Member of the Center (second left); Mr. Hao Yanshan, Partner of Lingfeng Capital (center); Mr. Cai Xiongshan, Vice President of Kuaishou and Executive Director of Kuaishou Research Institute (second right), and Mr. Xue Zizhao, Vice President of Investment and Financing at MiniMax (first right).