CLASSY Talk Series Explores Music, AI, Fashion and Cultural Change

Launched in 2025, the CLASSY Talk series has been a riveting success, offering engaging discussions on the most pressing and popular topics in Hong Kong. The series features distinguished speakers from diverse sectors and explores themes ranging from the timeless beauty of erhu music to the transformative power of artificial intelligence and the dynamic growth of Hong Kong’s burgeoning creative industries.

The three events of the 2025 series—held on 20 May, 3 June, and 24 June—were examples of multi-sectoral, cross-disciplinary dialogue and intellectual exchange.

A Musical Masterpiece: Wan Pin Chu’s Journey
The inaugural CLASSY Talk in May featured Mr Wan Pin CHU, an internationally acclaimed film composer and erhu virtuoso. Known for his work on films such as The Last Dance and NE ZHA 2, Chu shared his journey of blending traditional erhu music with contemporary compositions.

Held at the Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, the event drew over 120 attendees. Associate Dean Professor CHING May Bo acted as moderator for the lively discussion, during which Chu offered insights into his creative process and the challenges of composing for film. His live erhu performance captivated the audience, while the Q&A session explored multiple topics including the impact of artificial intelligence on music creation.

AI’s Transformative Power
In June, the second CLASSY Talk addressed the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI). Featuring Professor George CHEN, an expert in public policy and technology, alongside Professor Yanto CHANDRA and Professor Eray Arda AKARTUNA, the session explored AI’s impact on creative industries, education and cybercrime prevention.

Chen provided a global perspective on AI trends, while Chandra and Akartuna highlighted practical applications of AI in governance and crime science. The interactive Q&A session tackled critical issues such as AI ethics, offering attendees a multidisciplinary understanding of this transformative technology.

Cultural Evolution: Fashion, Music and Pop Culture
The final talk for 2025, took place in June and was a fascinating exploration of Hong Kong’s cultural and creative evolution. Featuring renowned fashion designer Professor Dorian HO and veteran media professional Mr Brian CHOW, the session delved into the interplay of fashion design, music and pop culture in shaping the city’s creative industries.

The speakers began by exploring how Hong Kong pop star icons from the 1970s to the 2020s have led trends and promoted fashion development. They then discussed the innovative ways in which recent large-scale cultural events have showcased various aspects of pop culture. Finally, both speakers presented impressive videos that combined creativity and AI technology to showcase various cultural elements.

A Platform for Inspiration and Creativity
The CLASSY Talk series has become a hallmark of intellectual and cultural exchange in Hong Kong, bringing together thought leaders, industry experts and interested participants to share insights and foster collaboration.

Professor Alfred Tat-Kei HO, Dean of CLASS, praised the series for its ability to connect diverse ideas and inspire innovation. “CLASSY Talk offers a unique platform for meaningful dialogue, fostering creativity and addressing the pressing issues of our time,” he said. "These discussions are instrumental in shaping the future of our industries and society.”

We would like to thank all participants sincerely for their engagement and their contribution to making the series such a success. Look out for more CLASSY Talks coming up soon—we look forward to seeing everyone again!