HKU Bets on Humanities as AI Boom Sparks Cuts Elsewhere

The president of Hong Kong's oldest university has pledged to increase funding for humanities studies. He calls them a crucial source of creativity, even as other global institutions reduce such courses amid the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Professor Xiang Zhang of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) made the commitment on Wednesday. He spoke as the head of HKU's medical faculty announced a major policy shift. The medical school will abandon its goal for 75% of its student intake to be science stream graduates. Instead, it will actively recruit more students from humanities backgrounds. This move signals a distinct strategy. While many universities are prioritizing science and technology funding due to AI's rise, HKU is reinforcing its support for the arts and humanities. Professor Zhang emphasized the value of these fields. He stated that humanities programmes foster the imagination and creative thinking essential for future innovation.