Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai Spoke on Technological Drivers of China’s Economic Growth at HKU Business School Edward K Y Chen Distinguished Lecture 2025

The HKU Business School hosted a fireside chat with Joe Tsai, Co-Founder and Chairman of Alibaba Group, on Technological Drivers of China's Economic Growth in the Next 10 Years on 5 November 2025. As part of the Edward K Y Chen Distinguished Lecture Series, the session explored how innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping business and driving long-term economic growth for China. The lecture brought together close to 1,000 attendees at HKU Loke Yew Hall.

During the exchange moderated by Professor Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President of The University of Hong Kong and Associate Dean of HKU Business School, Mr. Tsai shared that the true measure of AI's success lies not in the sophistication of its models, but in their adoption and scale of use. The broader the application of AI, the greater the benefits to society. He emphasised that open source is essential to this progress, as it enables people across industries and walks of life to harness AI in ways that best meet their own needs-so that everyone can be a beneficiary of this transformative technology.

Mr. Tsai also underscored China's strengths in energy infrastructure, cost-efficient data centre construction, and a deep pool of STEM talent as key factors underpinning the country's strong foundation for AI innovation. He encouraged students to prepare for the AI era by developing skills in coding to master computational logic, in data science to extract meaningful insights from data, and in psychology to design human-centered systems.

Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of HKU Business School, said, "The Edward K Y Chen Distinguished Lecture Series embodies our enduring mission to educate and inspire future leaders, just as Professor Chen devoted his life to nurturing generations of talent. Mr. Tsai's insights remind us that embracing change and the constant reinvention of ourselves and our approaches are essential to thriving in today's dynamic world. Together, we carry forward this legacy of leadership and innovation, empowering our students and faculty to lead with resilience and vision."

Professor Edward K Y Chen, after whom the lecture series is named, concluded, "This session exemplifies the spirit of meaningful dialogue between academia and business. Beyond Mr. Tsai's valuable insights into innovation and growth, a key lesson we take away is the importance of thinking beyond mere economic success to consider public benefit. Mr. Tsai's investments in sports illustrate how business can bridge cultures and foster community, while e-commerce not only drives the economy but also creates broad societal value. This holistic approach embodies the legacy of leadership and responsibility that we aspire to uphold."

About the Edward K Y Chen Distinguished Lecture Series

Established in 2007, the Edward K Y Chen Distinguished Lecture Series is an annual event presented by HKU Business School that honours the legacy of Professor Edward K Y Chen, a distinguished scholar and mentor. The series brings leading global figures to share visionary insights on the future of business, innovation, and society. Rooted in a tradition of respect for mentorship and academic excellence, it aspires to inspire continuous reinvention and leadership in a rapidly evolving world, fostering dialogue that bridges theory and practice for the benefit of current and future generations of business leaders.

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