This week’s top news, stories and opinion from Hong Kong. The 2023 BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize was recently given out at an award ceremony. This prize aims to encourage scientists and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong to remain innovators by building on their strengths, serving the country and making contributions towards world peace. Over 200 applications from all around the world were received this year for this prize covering five fields such as artificial intelligence/robotics; life/health sciences; new materials/energy sources/advanced manufacturing techniques/fintech technologies/fintech/.

At an award ceremony this week, winners were revealed, with first place receiving HK$25 million and runners-up receiving scholarships of HK$8,000, HK$4,000 and HK$2,000 respectively. Winners in each field were determined by an independent panel of judges based on achievements across different subjects such as language learning, arts and sciences research; BOCHK also provided support to its finalists to further their research efforts.

Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Eric Chan Kwok-ki attended and applauded winners’ achievements, noting they were “living proof” of its motto: “Where youth thrives, nation thrives”. He encouraged winners to use their knowledge and skills to aid others and inspire the next generation. Dr Gabriel Leung, executive director for charities and community services of HKJC also spoke at the ceremony; he noted it was part of their responsibility to empower both young people and community at large through these awards.

Hong Kong students have been selected to represent their city at the International Competition for Young Innovators. Competitors will compete from around the globe in areas including software development and artificial intelligence; winners will have an opportunity to showcase their innovations while networking with leading companies within their fields of interest.

Mark Six boasted an estimated jackpot of around HK$100 million in this week’s draw held on Saturday evening. There may not be winners of first prizes in second or third divisions; as a result, their total value may exceed that of normal 1st-division payout of HK$8 million payout.

John Tse Wing-ling, associate professor from City University of Hong Kong’s Department of Applied Social Studies, cautioned against massive payouts that might encourage pathological gambling and trigger young people into beginning this form of entertainment. Tse suggested that responsible betting organizations shouldn’t advertise such large prize pools to give hope to gamblers; rather they should instead promote responsible betting by informing people about risks associated with addiction to gambling and promote responsible behavior among gambling enthusiasts – in turn it’s also important for media not to fan these flames further.