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HKU SPACE AI Newsletter  –  Issue 1

Embracing AI: Innovation, Education, and the Road Ahead

This premiere issue highlights how AI is beginning to shape teaching, learning and daily work across HKU SPACE. Inside, you’ll fin updates on our AI strategy key projects, and practical resources to help you use AI confidently and
responsibly.

  • A message from our Director on the future of AI at HKU SPACE

  • Spotlight on the AI Transformation Team and AI Champion Program

  • HKU SPACE AI Chat rollout, impact, and what’s coming next

  • Training, tools, and resources to build your AI skills

A Message from Our Director

Shaping the Future of AI at HKU SPACE

Artificial intelligence is opening new possibilities for how we teach, learn, and work. In this cover story, our Director shares his vision for how HKU SPACE will embrace AI to enhance the student experience, support staff, and strengthen our role in lifelong education.

  • Strategic directions for AI at HKU SPACE in teaching, learning, and services

  • How AI can support more personalised learning and smarter workflows

  • Upcoming AI initiatives and tools for staff and students

  • Our focus on privacy, academic integrity, and responsible AI use

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SECTION 4 – MEET THE AI TRANSFORMATION TEAM

Behind the Scenes – AI Transformation Team

The AI Transformation Team leads HKU SPACE’s AI journey. Bringing together specialists from across the School, they explore, pilot, and roll out AI solutions while ensuring that every tool is secure, ethical, and aligned with our educational mission.

  • Sets direction and strategy for AI adoption across the School

  • Evaluates and pilots AI tools for teaching, learning, and operations

  • Provides guidance, training, and support for staff and students

  • Collects feedback and data to improve AI services over time

What the team does?

Who’s on the team

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The team includes representatives from IT, e‑Learning, research, and academic units, with roles such as AI strategy lead, AI innovation lead, technical specialists, and digital learning support.

Recent achievements

  • Institution‑wide rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot

  • Development of AI‑powered chatbots and the HKU SPACE AI Chat platform

  • Launch of the AI Hub and AI Champion Program

  • Creation of a secure, cloud‑first environment for AI‑supported work

  • Delivery of multiple AI training sessions for staff and teachers

AI PROJECTS IN FOCUS

Several flagship AI initiatives are already making a difference at HKU SPACE. Here are a few highlights from our current project portfolio.

HKU SPACE AI Chat

Our AI Chat platform provides flexible access to several AI models to support drafting, summarising, and answering questions for staff and students. It is integrated with key systems and designed to make everyday academic and administrative work easier.

M365 Copilot for Productivity

Microsoft 365 Copilot has been rolled out across the School, helping colleagues create documents, prepare meetings, analyse information, and manage email more efficiently, all within familiar Office applications.

AI Champions & AI Hub

The AI Champion Program and AI Hub work together to support local innovation in each unit. Champions share good practices, while the Hub provides a central place for tools, updates, and training resources.

HKU SPACE AI CHAT

Your AI Companion – HKU SPACE AI Chat

HKU SPACE AI Chat is a core part of our digital transformation. It offers guided access to leading AI models so that staff and students can draft, refine, and explore ideas with support from a secure, institution‑approved platform.

Rollout milestones

  • Staff launch – AI Chat made available to all staff, with access to multiple AI models

  • Student launch – Service extended to full‑time students at selected colleges

  • Integration – Connected with key systems to support seamless sign‑in and usage

How it’s helping

  • Drafting emails, reports, lesson outlines, and announcements

  • Summarising documents and meeting notes

  • Generating ideas, examples, and alternative explanations

  • Supporting research, revision, and study planning

Student engagement

Usage data shows strong adoption by students, who increasingly rely on AI Chat for revising content, seeking explanations, and planning assignments, alongside guidance from teachers.

What’s next?

  • Extra tips & examples for various programs and roles

  • Quota/feature refinements from user feedback

  • Ongoing training for effective, responsible use

Empowering Staff – AI Champion Program

The AI Champion Program empowers staff in different units to act as local AI advocates. Champions support colleagues, share good practices, and help integrate AI tools into day‑to‑day teaching, learning, and administrative work.

Program vision & objectives

  • Empower staff – Enable colleagues to experiment with and apply AI tools confidently in their own contexts.

  • Build an AI Champion network – Connect Champions across academic and administrative units for knowledge‑sharing and collaboration.

  • Support long‑term AI transformation – Embed AI into everyday processes in a way that is sustainable, ethical, and aligned with School priorities.

TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING

To help staff and teachers develop practical AI skills, HKU SPACE offers a range of workshops, programmes, and self‑paced resources.

HKU SPACE AI Chat is a core part of our digital transformation. It offers guided access to leading AI models so that staff and students can draft, refine, and explore ideas with support from a secure, institution‑approved platform.

GenAI Workshop Series

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The GenAI Workshop Series supports educators in using generative AI in their teaching. Sessions cover classroom engagement, course and assessment design, immersive technologies, and ethical AI adoption, with both on‑site and online options.

Microsoft ESI Programme

The Microsoft Enterprise Skills Initiative (ESI) provides staff with structured training in AI and digital skills, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI, and certification‑aligned courses. Workshops combine instructor‑led teaching with hands‑on labs and practice.

AI Tools Hub – Your One‑Stop Guide

The AI Tools Hub is a curated directory of recommended AI tools for teaching, learning, productivity, and research. It helps you quickly find safe, approved options that align with HKU SPACE policies.

  • Main tool categories such as Teaching & Learning, Productivity, Multimedia & Design, and Research & Data

  • Clear listings describing what each tool does, typical use cases, and who it is suitable for

  • Notes on privacy, security, and eligibility so you can use AI tools with confidence

Next Issue & Share Your Story

We want the AI Newsletter to reflect your needs and ideas. Tell us how you’re using AI, what has worked well, and what you’d like to see in future issues.

  • How you’re using AI in your work or study

  • Examples of AI tools or workflows that have helped you

  • Topics, questions, or concerns you’d like us to cover

  • Feedback on this issue and suggestions for improvement

Selected stories may be featured in the next issue of the AI Newsletter, with a small thank‑you gift for contributors.

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© 2026 by AI Transformation Team
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