Deepening Industry-Education Integration, Nurturing Young Technology Talent

[Association News] To deepen industry-education integration, broaden the horizons of young technology talent, and support the development of high-calibre innovative talent, the Hong Kong Information and Artificial Intelligence Association (the “Association”) organised a delegation of outstanding university students to visit the headquarters of Insta360, a leading intelligent imaging company, on the afternoon of 14 August. Through a corporate visit, hands-on technology experience, and an exchange session, the activity created a direct bridge between university students and a frontier technology enterprise. It enabled participants to gain first-hand exposure to industry trends, technological developments, and talent needs in intelligent imaging and artificial intelligence (AI), while creating valuable opportunities for internships, career development, and university-industry talent exchange.

Exploring the Industry Frontier: Experiencing AI Innovation in Practice

At the start of the visit, under the guidance of Insta360’s technical team, the delegation observed an indoor flight demonstration of the Antigravity A1 8K 360 drone, gaining first-hand insight into the integration of panoramic imaging and drone-control algorithms. The students then learned about Insta360’s development since its founding in 2015, its global brand presence, and its core technological capabilities. At the interactive product experience area, participants tried a range of products, including 360 cameras, professional VR imaging equipment, AI-powered smartphone gimbals, and intelligent video-conferencing terminals. They also exchanged views on the practical application of computer vision and AI algorithms across different imaging scenarios. Through this immersive experience, the students developed a deeper understanding of the commercial application of AI technologies and innovation practices within technology enterprises.

▲ Figure 1: Students organised by the Association visit Insta360 and experience its 360 drone technology

Advancing University-Industry Engagement: Supporting Talent Development and Career Growth

During the subsequent discussion session, representatives from Insta360 and its Human Resources team shared insights into the company’s development vision, engineering culture, talent development framework, and campus recruitment priorities. They also addressed students’ questions on frontier developments in algorithm R&D, internship opportunities, interdisciplinary capability building, and career progression, providing practical guidance tailored to the students’ interests. Through direct dialogue with industry professionals, participants gained a clearer understanding of the talent needs, role competencies, and career pathways within leading technology companies, offering valuable reference for strengthening their academic preparation, enhancing practical capabilities, and planning future internships and career development.

Connecting Industry, Academia and Research: Empowering the Greater Bay Area’s Next Generation of Innovators

The visit concluded successfully in an engaging and positive atmosphere. Through the company tour, hands-on product experience, and face-to-face exchanges, the students gained an appreciation of Insta360’s “Think bold.” spirit and developed a more comprehensive understanding of how the artificial intelligence and smart hardware value chain operates in practice. By connecting talent development with real-world industry needs, the activity enabled young participants to engage with frontier technologies while gaining a clearer understanding of the industry, professional roles, and their own development directions. It also provided a practical foundation for the Association to further explore effective links between university talent development, technological innovation, and industry practice.

Looking ahead, the Hong Kong Information and Artificial Intelligence Association will continue to serve as a platform connecting universities, research institutions, and technology enterprises. With the development of high-calibre innovative talent as a core focus, the Association will further advance corporate visits, technical exchanges, internship opportunities, and industry-academia-research collaboration, strengthen alignment between talent development and industry needs, and bring together more resources and opportunities to support the professional growth and employment of young technology talent while contributing to innovation across the artificial intelligence sector.