A new research center and academic alliance dedicated to advancing generative artificial intelligence (AI) have been launched in Hengqin, marking a significant step toward establishing the area as a major innovation hub within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The IDEA Hengqin-Macao Centre for Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence officially opened on April 17 in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The launch event also saw the formation of the Generative AI Academic Alliance, a collaborative platform that brings together industry leaders, academic researchers, and government representatives to accelerate the application of cutting-edge AI technologies.

Backed by the Greater Bay Area Institute of Digital Economy (IDEA) in partnership with the cooperation zone's statistics bureau, the new initiative aims to transform Hengqin into a powerhouse of digital innovation. With a focus on emerging fields such as human-machine interaction, digital twins, and multi-modal intelligent content creation, the center will serve as both a research hub and a bridge to industrial application.

Officials state that the initiative will support the digital transformation of enterprises and promote the development of Macao-branded industries through AI-driven solutions. Leveraging Hengqin’s policy advantages and geographic proximity to Macao, the center is expected to play a strategic role in regional economic development and cross-border technological cooperation.

The event featured keynote speeches from experts on the frontiers of generative AI (AIGC) and its role in business transformation. A round-table discussion followed, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI across academia, industry, and real-world applications.