Citi promotes responsible AI through youth innovation programme

Citi Hong Kong is investing in artificial intelligence (AI) education to develop future talent while promoting responsible technology use through hands-on social innovation projects led by secondary school students.

Citi Hong Kong hosted an AI Day for finalists of the SEED Foundation's IdeaPOP! 2026 social innovation competition, bringing together bank employees and technology entrepreneurs to help secondary school students develop AI-powered solutions to social challenges.

The programme focused on responsible AI, human-centred design and prototype development, with Citi mentors sharing how the bank applies AI to improve productivity and business processes. Students also received guidance from AI entrepreneurs on turning ideas into practical applications.

The initiative forms part of Citi's broader community engagement efforts to promote digital skills and responsible AI adoption among young people. Since its launch in 2022, the SEED Foundation's IdeaPOP! programme has engaged more than 3,000 students, who have developed over 750 technology-based solutions addressing local social needs.

Citi Hong Kong hosted an AI Day for the winners and finalists of the SEED Foundation IdeaPOP! 2026 social innovation competition earlier this month. The full-day event brought together Citi AI mentors and AI entrepreneurs to guide students on turning their ideas into real-world social solutions.

Aveline San, CEO and head of banking at Citi Hong Kong said the AI Day was designed to help students translate innovative ideas into real-world applications, with a strong focus on human-centered design and the responsible use of AI, bringing their purpose-driven ideas one step closer to real-world impact.

With the help of Citi AI mentors and David Kwan, founder and CEO of AI advisory platform JobsTaylor, student teams from six secondary schools worked on concept testing, building app prototypes and applying AI to enhance user experience. The Citi mentors also shared their own experience in using AI to raise productivity and address business pain points at work.

Vicky Kong, head of wealth for Asia North and Australia at Citi, who served as a judge at the pitch competition final commended the students for their creativity, energy and passion for driving positive change. She encouraged them to stay curious, embrace feedback and build on their ideas beyond the competition as they continue their innovation journey.

In a fireside chat moderated by Sarah O, head of digital growth and cards and unsecured lending sales at Citi Hong Kong, the students also had the opportunity to learn from  Miles Wen, co-founder and CEO of Fano Labs who shared his entrepreneurial journey, experience in navigating the startup ecosystem, as well as advice on dealing with challenges and setbacks.

Organised by the SEED Foundation, the IdeaPOP! programme has engaged over 3,000 students in Hong Kong since its inception in 2022. Participants have developed more than 750 technology-based solutions aimed at addressing local societal needs.

Re-disseminated by Wealth and Society