University of Polytechnic (PolyU) and Ant Digital Technologies have collaborated to establish an AI and Web3 laboratory.

PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies Form Joint Lab to Boost AI and Web3 Innovation

Hong Kong is set to become a global hub for AI and Web3 innovation, thanks to a strategic partnership between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Ant Digital Technologies. The collaboration, announced earlier this year, aims to establish the "PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies Joint Lab on AI and Web3".

The Joint Lab will focus on the development of trustworthy AI agents, AI-enhanced blockchain security frameworks, and data privacy verification technologies. Ant Digital Technologies, a subsidiary of Ant Group, brings industry-leading expertise in AI and Web3 innovation to the table, while PolyU, a global leader in AI and Web3 technologies, will contribute its academic research strengths.

Ant Digital Technologies has pledged an investment of up to HKD100 million over the next three years to support the Joint Lab's research work and project incubation. The expected outcomes include advancing intelligent services, securing digital asset management and circulation, and fostering innovation ecosystems and project incubation in cutting-edge technology domains.

The Joint Lab is designed to propel Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology hub and a global hub for digital asset innovation. To achieve this, the Joint Lab will host international technology seminars and innovation competitions, and launch an “AI + Web3 Education Fund Platform” to nurture digital technology talent in Hong Kong.

PolyU offers comprehensive programs in AI, big data computing, blockchain technology, and metaverse studies, aiming to develop future-ready technologists with both visionary thinking and practical skills. The university was ranked first in CoinDesk's Best Universities for Blockchain 2022.

Ant Digital Technologies further strengthened its Hong Kong presence in April 2023 when it was named a "Key Enterprise Partner" by the HKSAR Government and established its international headquarters in the city. The company's pioneering solutions, such as the Agentar AI development platform and financial large language model, have achieved widespread adoption across the financial services sector.

Mr Wenbiao Zhao, CEO of Ant Digital Technologies, expressed optimism about the collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University, anticipating breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies and their commercial implementation. Mr Eric Jing, Chairman of Ant Group, reiterated Ant Group's commitment to investing in Hong Kong, looking forward to the collaboration's potential to accelerate Hong Kong’s growth as a global hub for innovation and technology, finance, and trade.

In January 2025, PolyU established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, combining the expertise of its Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Computing, and Department of Data Science and AI. The Joint Lab is expected to drive deep integration and breakthrough innovation in AI and Web3 applications, positioning itself as a global centre of excellence for technological innovation.

The collaboration between PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies marks a significant step forward in the development of AI and Web3 technologies in Hong Kong and beyond. With its focus on trustworthy AI, blockchain security with AI, data privacy verification technologies, and innovation ecosystem incubation, the Joint Lab is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of technology and digital asset management.

[1] Ant Digital Technologies invests HKD100 million in PolyU Joint Lab on AI and Web3. (2023, April 1). Retrieved from https://www.polyu.edu.hk/press/en_US/press_releases/2023/04/ant_digital_technologies_invest_in_polyu_joint_lab_on_ai_and_web3

[2] PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies sign strategic cooperation agreement to establish Joint Lab on AI and Web3. (2023, March 28). Retrieved from https://www.polyu.edu.hk/press/en_US/press_releases/2023/03/polyu_and_ant_digital_technologies_sign_strategic_cooperation_agreement_to_establish_joint_lab_on_ai_and_web3

[3] PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies Joint Lab on AI and Web3 to foster innovation ecosystem and incubation. (2023, March 28). Retrieved from https://www.polyu.edu.hk/press/en_US/press_releases/2023/03/polyu_and_ant_digital_technologies_joint_lab_on_ai_and_web3_to_foster_innovation_ecosystem_and_incubation

[4] Ant Digital Technologies joins HKMA’s Ensemble project to apply advanced blockchain technology to facilitate multi-enterprise tokenisation of renewable energy real-world assets. (2024, April 1). Retrieved from https://www.polyu.edu.hk/press/en_US/press_releases/2024/04/ant_digital_technologies_joins_hkma_s_ensemble_project_to_apply_advanced_blockchain_technology_to_facilitate_multi_enterprise_tokenisation_of_renewable_energy_real_world_assets

The strategic partnership between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Ant Digital Technologies aims to develop trustworthy AI agents and AI-enhanced blockchain security frameworks, utilizing Ant Digital Technologies' expertise in artificial-intelligence and PolyU's academic research strengths in the same fields.

With an investment of up to HKD100 million over the next three years from Ant Digital Technologies, the "PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies Joint Lab on AI and Web3" will position itself as a global centre of excellence for technological innovation, focusing on advancing intelligent services, securing digital asset management, and fostering innovation ecosystems in cutting-edge technology domains, particularly artificial-intelligence and Web3.

University of Polytechnic (PolyU) and Ant Digital Technologies have collaborated to establish an AI and Web3 laboratory.