Alibaba and SenseTime partner for Hong Kong AI accelerator

Alibaba Group, SenseTime, and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp. (HKSTP) have partnered to create a new accelerator program to support Hong Kong’s AI startups, Alizila reports.

The HKAI Lab program will select startups to provide with up to $100,000 in funding from the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, as well as access to deep-learning resources from SenseTime, and cloud and other technologies from Alababa and its DAMO Academy. The 6-month program will accept about 10 startups into each of two yearly cohorts, also providing them with office space, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

“Alibaba sees AI as a fundamental technology that will make a difference to society,” said Joe Tsai, executive vice chairman of Alibaba Group. “We envision the Hong Kong AI Lab to be an open platform where researchers, start-ups and industry participants can collaborate and build a culture of innovation.”

Alibaba’s AI technology is embedded in millions of consumer electronic devices.

SenseTime Founder Xiao’ou Tang said the partnership’s goals include developing the city as a technological center, and promoting partnerships between Hong Kong and mainland China.

HKSTP is a public corporation established by Hong Kong’s government to support the island’s technology sector.

SenseTime raised $600 million in a recent funding round led by Alibaba, which became the company’s biggest backer in late 2017.

Article Topics

Alibaba Group  |  artificial intelligence  |  China  |  SenseTime  |  startup