A spring reception dinner hosted by the United Nations University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) was held on Friday night, during which the institute’s director, Huang Jingbo, highlighted to the Post its continued efforts to create and foster dedicated AI and technology-related programmes for young people.
UNU Macau has been organising a number of programmes for the younger generation over the years, including those being related to technology and AI and modelling, AI governance, social sciences, AI research, and other training programmes, Huang told the Post prior to the reception. She added that they also continue to send talented young people working at the institute to the local community to represent the institute to build more programmes for, and together with them, targeting both Macau and other cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Last year also saw the inaugural edition of the AI and Youth Innovation Competition in Macau, with Huang adding that this created an opportunity for young people from Macau and around the world to present their AI applications and projects on climate.
“Looking forward, we’d like to do more, work with more partners and co-create success. We’re the convener. As part of the UN, we would like to bring all the partners together on the platform to bring more interesting projects, interesting events to young people, not only in Macau, but elsewhere in the Greater Bay Area and in the world”, she said.
Regarding what’s in store for 2026, Huang said that the institute is planning to host another conference in Macau on AI and education with policy outputs, with the event being slated for some time in November and set to bring in researchers, policy makers, and potentially even ministers of education from 40 regions and countries in Asia and Europe.
The institute’s role in, and commitments to, promoting research in the digital technology and sustainable development fields were also highlighted by Huang during the reception and conversations with journalists, as well as collaborations she hopes to have with different sectors of society.
During the reception, which was attended by representatives of the local government, UNU Macau, enterprises, associations, and media, Huang also highlighted successful events held previously, including the “UNU Macau AI Conference” and “AI Education Day” that drew over 800 experts and scholars from more than 30 countries and regions. Other plans for 2026, meanwhile, were also elaborated on by Huang, including an AI conference set to be held in Africa.
* The UNU Institute in Macau is one of the 13 institutes and units of the United Nations University (UNU), according to the institute’s website, adding that it is “a global think tank dedicated to research, training and education on digital technologies for sustainable development”. The institute was set up in Macau in 1992.
UNU Macau Director Huang Jingbo poses after an interview prior to Friday’s reception at the headquarters of United Nations University Institute in Macau, at Casa Silva Mendes on Guia Hill.
Attendees of Friday’s reception pose for a group photo. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
