Core Insights - The establishment of the Von Neumann Research Institute at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) reflects a growing trend among universities to create AI-related research institutes, with at least nine notable institutions in China having done so in the past year [1][4][6] - The research institute will focus on five key areas: embodied intelligence, generative AI, advanced supercomputing, AI-driven healthcare reform, and the development of intelligent robotics [2][4] - The institute aims to train over 100 PhD students and enhance collaboration between academia and industry [2][4] Summary by Sections Establishment of AI Institutes - HKUST's Von Neumann Research Institute is the latest addition to a wave of AI institutes established by universities, with at least nine notable institutions launching AI-related programs since April 2023 [1][4] - Other universities, including Tsinghua University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, have also established AI institutes focusing on various aspects of artificial intelligence [4][6] Research Focus and Goals - The Von Neumann Research Institute will concentrate on integrating technologies such as embodied intelligence and generative AI, aiming for breakthroughs in key areas like multi-modal AI systems and trustworthy AI [2][4] - HKUST's goal is to accelerate the transformation of research outcomes into practical applications, particularly in critical fields [2][4] Industry Collaboration and Startup Ecosystem - The close relationship between academic research and the AI industry has led to the emergence of numerous startups, with many founders being university professors [6][9] - HKUST has a history of fostering startups, having incubated over 1,800 companies, including four unicorns, benefiting from its proximity to the Greater Bay Area [9] Characteristics of Hong Kong's AI Ecosystem - Hong Kong's research ecosystem is characterized by a decentralized approach, with many small but specialized companies emerging rather than large-scale projects [8] - The region's unique position allows for collaboration with nearby cities, enhancing the potential for startup growth [9]

百图生科技术副总裁张晓明（图片来源：受访者提供） 新药研发是人类发展中极具风险和复杂度、耗时最漫长的技术研究领域之ー。 今年1月，英国《自然》杂志子刊《自然医学》（Nature Medicine）发表的一篇论文显示，平均而言， 新药的研发投入约26亿美元，可能需要耗时12-15年，但不幸的是，即使在临床试验阶段，新药的成功 率也低于10%。 上述论文认为，新药研发复杂的原因在于，传统药物研发依赖于药物开发人员的经验和反复试验，尤其 寻找潜在候选药物需要探索的化学空间之大，而且监管要求非常严格，满足安全性、有效性和质量标准 可能是一项耗时且成本高昂的工作。因此，为了克服这些挑战，科学家们一直在积极探索新技术和新方 法，以改进药物开发流程。 如今，AI 技术的出现，尤其是大模型在内的生成式AI技术，融入药物开发流程——靶点识别、药物发 现、临床研究等，有望重塑传统药物研发模式，从而有效提升药物研发效率。 最新数据显示，目前全球已经有3800家企业、4900家投资机构入局AI生物领域，相比四年前笔者发表 的《AI何以成"药神"》深度文章中提到入局的300家企业、880家投资机构，分别增长了1166.7%、 456. ...

AI代理的概念及其在金融领域的发展 －应用于财富管理的潜力－ 作者：野村资本市场研究所 坂上 聖奈 要点 1. 随着大型语言模型在自然语言处理领域取得显著突破，AI代理受到了广发关注。例如，摩根 士丹利在2025年至2027年中长期经营计划中指出，AI代理的潜力是其技术战略的一个重点领域。 2. 简而言之，AI代理就是一种能够自主决策的AI模型。本文以穆迪和Coinbase为例，介绍AI代 理的应用。尽管两家公司根据其业务战略对AI代理的应用采取了不同的方式，但在增强AI自主性方 面却有着共通之处。 3. 穆迪将AI代理视为强化现有服务的工具，通过数据驱动的决策效率来提升客户体验。另一方 面，Coinbase则将AI代理定位为区块链交易的手段，旨在通过交易的自动化和自主化来提升客户体 验，甚至改变经济活动的性质。 4. 随着客户需求的多样化、依赖特定人员的业务流程优化、以及降低人力和成本等因素的驱使 下，金融机构对AI代理的需求在不断扩大。在财富管理业务中，AI代理的应用也被认为是一个重要 的候选方向。具体包括：（1）为客户提供最佳投资建议以实现特定的财务目标；（2）提升托管服 务水平；（3）扩大数字资产交易 ...

以生成式AI为代表的新技术浪潮日新月异，正带来一场深刻的技术、商业与社会变革，推动人类社会从信息社会向智能社会转变。全世界热切期待AI到 来的同时，也非常关心人工智能将带来哪些新机遇、新挑战。 为此，我们发起了一项《AI & Society 百人百问》研讨，广泛邀请AI技术大咖、AI独角兽创始人、AI投资人，以及社会学家、心理学家、国际关系专家、 科幻作家等，用多元视角，深入研讨人工智能技术引发的广泛影响，发掘AI时代的共识和非共识，共同推动人工智能始终朝着"助人发展，与人为善"的方 向可持续发展。 本期，我们非常荣幸地于4月16日邀请虞晶怡老师，为我们开启一次AI的思想远航。 精华要点： 6.感知优先的颠覆性技术路线：感知能解决的问题绝不依赖复杂认知。感知是最直接、成本最低的方案。" 7.空间智能发展的理论困境：三维表达方式千变万化，远未达成共识。如果表达不统一，采集再多数据也难奏效。 8.传感器技术的革命性突破：我认为今后的感知系统将发生巨变——能同时观测物体正反面的全新成像系统。 9.重新定义机器人设计：具身智能追求的不是精准，而是鲁棒和安全。这涉及全新的数学度量标准。 10.泡沫不可避免，OpenAI ...

作者：Alex Singla、Alexander Sukharevsky、Lareina Yee、Michael Chui、Bryce Hall 总体来看，在已部署AI的企业中，相对多数（38%）的受访者预计，未来三年生成式AI对企业员工规模 影响不大。从行业层面看，仅金融服务行业的受访者更倾向于认为，员工规模会缩减。调查还显示，无 论是C级高管、高级经理，还是中级经理，对于生成式AI对员工规模影响的预期都大致相同。然而，若 将分析型AI与生成式AI的综合影响纳入考量，C级高管相较中层管理者更倾向于预期员工数量将有所增 加。 从业务职能层面看，受访者普遍认为，生成式AI将在客户服务、现场服务等服务运营部门，以及供应 链与库存管理等领域，造成员工数量减少（见图1）。相比之下，在IT和产品开发职能中，更多受访者 认为员工数量将会因此增加。 AI使用率持续攀升 2024年，AI使用率持续增长【1】。最新调查显示，78%的受访者称所在企业已在至少一个业务职能中 部署AI，显著高于2024年初的72%以及一年前的55%（见图2）。其中，IT、市场营销和销售是使用AI 最多的职能部门，其次为服务运营。过去半年，AI使用增 ...

Core Viewpoint - CloudWalk Technology, one of the "AI Four Little Dragons," reported a significant decline in performance for 2024, with revenue dropping to 398 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 36.69%, marking the lowest revenue point in seven years [1][2] Financial Performance - The company recorded a net profit of -722 million yuan, with losses expanding compared to the previous year, marking eight consecutive years of losses [1][2] - Revenue projections made during the company's IPO in 2022 were significantly overestimated, with actual revenues from 2022 to 2024 being 526 million yuan, 628 million yuan, and 398 million yuan respectively, resulting in a negative compound annual growth rate [2][3] - The company's gross margin fell by 16.39 percentage points to 35.81% in 2024, while its peers like SenseTime maintained a gross margin of 42.90% [3] Workforce and R&D - CloudWalk underwent significant layoffs in 2024, reducing its workforce from 801 to 453 employees, a decrease of 43%, with R&D personnel decreasing by 51% [5][6] - The company’s R&D expenses fell by 18.27% to 472 million yuan, yet the R&D expense ratio increased to 118.72% due to declining revenue [5][6] - The departure of key technical personnel, including a core technology staff member, raises concerns about the company's ability to maintain its technological edge [5][6] Strategic Challenges - The company is facing challenges in keeping pace with technological advancements, particularly in the development of large models, which has hindered its competitive position against major players like Baidu and Alibaba [3][4] - CloudWalk's cash flow from operating activities has been negative for three consecutive years, totaling nearly 1.2 billion yuan in cash outflows [3][4] Industry Context - The struggles faced by CloudWalk are not isolated, as other members of the "AI Four Little Dragons" are also experiencing similar issues, including prolonged losses and workforce reductions [6]

Core Insights - The Asia-Pacific private equity (PE) market is showing signs of recovery after a period of adjustment and downturn, with increased transaction activity and confidence among investors regarding the medium to long-term outlook [1][2] Group 1: Market Trends - The Bain report projects an 11% growth in the Asia-Pacific PE market transaction volume to $176 billion in 2024, with the average deal size increasing by 22% to $13.3 million [1] - The number of active PE firms in India and Japan is expected to rise by 29% and 14% respectively in 2024 compared to 2023 [1] - The Greater China region remains the largest market in the Asia-Pacific for PE transactions, with a 7% increase in total investment volume to $47 billion in 2024 [1] Group 2: Strategic Shifts - The Chinese private equity market is transitioning from traditional growth-oriented investments to controlling investments due to economic slowdown, increased number of portfolio companies, and founders' preference for professional management [2] - Domestic funds are increasingly exploring cross-border and platform investments, leveraging local market understanding and supply chain advantages [3] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - The rise of the Chinese M&A market is expected to revitalize the PE/VC industry by unlocking existing assets and providing exit channels [5] - New large funds are being established, such as CVC's sixth Asia-Pacific fund, which raised $6.8 billion, a 50% increase from the previous fund, focusing on high-quality companies in core consumer and service sectors [4] Group 4: Operational Enhancements - Investment firms are enhancing their operational capabilities to drive value creation in portfolio companies, adapting to a shift from growth-oriented to operationally-focused investment strategies [5][7] - The integration of digital capabilities and AI tools is accelerating within the private equity sector, with firms aiming to improve post-investment management efficiency and overall operational capabilities [6] Group 5: Regulatory and Compliance Developments - The regulatory environment is evolving, with increased focus on compliance management among financial institutions, which is expected to support the healthy development of the Chinese private equity market [6][7]

小天才和小镇做题家，在AI赛道都有光明的未来。 撰文｜ 张晶 编辑｜ 薇薇子 封面来源｜ IC photo 上桌！留给00后的红利 双非院校，文科，即便是硕士学历，在如今的就业市场上也很难找到一份合适的工作。 好在毕业前，00后毕业生雪柳已经有三段大厂AI业务的实习经历——深度参与了大厂头部AI产品从0 到1 的过程，其中有一款AI产品上线时的用户手册都是她亲自撰写的。 投出的600多份简历，大多连初筛都过不了，但这三段实习经历犹如决定性筹码，让她收到了跟AI相 关岗位的面试机会。 最终，雪柳拿到了2家AI公司的offer。 即将从复旦大学金融系硕士毕业的博誉在这波AI热潮下，也顺利拿到了上海一家大厂AI业务线的 offer，年薪数十万，这个年包在同期毕业生里极具竞争力。 尽管在他刚入学的2022年，学校还流传着毕业即年薪百万的传说。当然，2年过去了，这样的就业神 话早已破灭。 "作为金融系的学生，我们都很焦虑。"这两年，金融业进入下坡阶段，招聘机会越来越少，找工作的 时候，博誉尝试从金融学转型，寻找一些前景明朗、起薪稍高一些的行业。 一次偶然的机会，他进入一家AI＋金融的创业公司实习，从此开始搭上AI这条线 ...

出席研究院开幕礼的主礼嘉宾包括香港特别行政区财政司司长陈茂波、匈牙利驻香港总领事柯泰安 (Dr. Pál Kertész) 及香港投资管理有限公司(港投公司)行政总裁陈家齐，以及科大校董会主席沈向洋教授、校 长叶玉如教授及首席副校长郭毅可教授等。其中，贾教授团队研发的AI机械人Vonnex更参与揭幕仪 式，展现了其流畅的操作及多模态感知系统，更能同时处理视觉、触觉及声音等信息，彰显机械人技术 的潜能。 为响应香港特别行政区政府全力发展人工智能(AI)为关键产业的策略，香港科技大学(科大)今日正式成 立冯诺依曼研究院(Von Neumann Institute)，整合具身智能、生成式AI及先进超级运算等技术，推动跨学 科协作，促进新质生产力，以迎接AI世代。 冯诺依曼研究院由计算机视觉与AI领域知名专家、科大计算机科学及工程学系讲座教授兼独角兽企业 思谋集团创始人贾佳亚教授领导，并以「计算机之父」约翰·冯·诺依曼命名。约翰·冯·诺依曼为著名的计 算机科学家，其开创的「冯诺依曼架构」对当今的AI算法影响深远。凭借科大在AI领域的坚实基础及 贾教授广泛的产业网络，研究院将致力于构建完整的AI生态系统，加强产学研合作 ...

特朗普的关税政策推动了iPhone升级 凤凰网科技讯 北京时间5月9日，据《商业内幕》报道，华尔街分析师原本预计苹果的生成式AI会催生 一波iPhone换机潮，然而事实证明，推动老用户升级的并不是苹果问题百出的AI，而似乎是特朗普的关 税政策。 消费者情报研究伙伴公司(CIRP)对于苹果的研究已有十多年，每个季度都会对500名近期购买苹果硬件 的用户进行调查，并从中分析出新的趋势。 老用户加快升级 CIRP指出，对于关税引发iPhone涨价的担忧可能促使老用户升级他们的手机。2025年第一季度，这一担 忧推动了iPhone购买量的大幅增长。 有趣的是，这场关税恐慌并没有激发所有用户群体的全面换机潮。根据CIRP的研究，那些原本就每隔 一到两年就换机的用户，并未明显改变他们的购机模式。真正做出改变的是所谓的"拖延型用户"，也就 是那些一直坚持使用老旧设备的消费者。对他们来说，此次iPhone的更换与其说是为了追赶AI创新，不 如说是出于现实考虑：在价格进一步上涨前，及时更换一部快撑不住的旧手机。 实用就行 对大多数人来说，iPhone现在已经是一种"实用性工具"。他们并不在乎那些花哨的新功能，只希望它尽 可能地 ...