AI Unlocks the Potential of Cultural and Creative Industries, Reshaping Digital Entertainment and Smart Living Experiences

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 August 2026 - Cyberport's annual flagship event, the "Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026" (DELF 2026), opened today at Cyberport. The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport. 

Themed "The Dreamatic Circus", this year's forum focuses on how innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and immersive technologies, are reshaping the cultural and creative industries, driving their transformation while unlocking new opportunities for the development of new quality productive forces. The three-day forum features four themed experience zones - Digital Entertainment, Culture and Arts, Smart Living and Business, and Robotics and Drones - presenting more than 35 innovative technology showcases, interactive experiences and programmes. Highlights include the immersive interactive art exhibition of Hong Kong original animation IP Another World, dynamic technology experiences by Nikopicto, combat robots by GJS Technology, the intelligent fashion platform developed by Genesis ONE using AI and 3D tools, and other attractions, enabling the public to experience first-hand the new possibilities that frontier technologies bring to entertainment, lifestyle and business applications. The event also includes AI interactive workshops, film screenings, drone performances and various competitions, creating a vibrant and engaging digital entertainment experience for participants.

Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said in his opening remarks, "Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) 2026 explores how agentic AI is transforming the creative industry, positioning AI not as a replacement for human imagination, but as a collaborative partner that helps deliver creators' dreams more boldly. Over the past year, the HKSAR Government has transitioned from AI strategy formulation to active execution, steering Hong Kong towards "industries for AI" and "AI for industries" through "strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach" in AI development. AI is transforming the digital entertainment industry, and DELF has always been about celebrating Hong Kong's creative spirit. With robust computing infrastructure, a supportive policy environment, and a thriving creative community, Hong Kong is well-positioned to lead the AI+ era of digital entertainment."

Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, "Under the theme 'The Dreamatic Circus', this year's forum invites us to explore what becomes possible when human imagination is empowered by technology. AI is expanding what creators can imagine and produce. To better support technology companies and their innovative work, with the recent completion of Cyberport 5, we are thrilled to inject new energy into Hong Kong's I&T industry. Combined with our AI Supercomputing Centre, this advanced infrastructure provides an world-class environment for technology development, industry collaboration and commercialization. DELF is not only about seeing what technology can do today. It is about imagining what we can create together tomorrow. I hope the forum inspires fresh thinking, leads to meaningful collaboration and helps turn more of Hong Kong's creative ideas into innovations with lasting impact."

DELF 2026 brings together more than 60 innovation and technology business leaders, content creators, academics, experts and investors from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas to discuss how artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and other frontier innovations are advancing the cultural and creative industries into a new stage of development and transforming modern smart living experiences. Guest speakers include Ms Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency; Mr Samuel Lo, General Manager, NVIDIA AI Technology Center, Hong Kong and Macau; Mr Leo Tsou, Head of Infrastructure Solutions Group Specialty, Hong Kong, Macau & China South (Greater Bay Area), Dell Technologies; Mr Zhaobo Zhou, Head of Solution Sales, Huawei Cloud Hong Kong; Mr Joe Chang, Regional Director, BytePlus; Ms Monica Zhang, AI Games Program Lead, Tencent Institute of Games; Mr Samuel Lam, CEO, X Social Group; Ms Ankie de Hoon, Board Member, Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur; Dr Jeff Tang, Lecturer, Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Ms Polly Yeung, CEO, Gudo Inc., among other industry experts.

The forum will feature in-depth discussions on key topics such as AI collaboration, IP ecosystem development, the cultural and creative economy, and smart living, focusing on how AI can become an important collaborator for creators and enterprises, facilitate the industrialisation of local creativity and original IP, and expand broader market horizons. A series of keynote speeches and panel discussions will also examine the impact of AI and immersive technologies on film, television, gaming, animation and other cultural and creative sectors. Topics include "Good Game: Building Healthier Entertainment Communities and Creating Lasting Social and Economic Value" and "Boundless Realities, Intelligent Imaging: AI + XR Empowering the Future Film and Television Industry Ecosystem". Speakers include Mr Kun Gao, Director of GGWP Inc.; Prof Mike Fischer, Professor of Interactive Media at the University of Southern California; Mr Jixuan Wang, Director of the Management Office of Xi'an XR Film Industry Base, Deputy General Manager of Xi'an Film Studio, Xiying Group; Dr Tony Wong, Hong Kong Comic Legend; President, Comics and Animation Federation who will explore how AI can promote the development of original IP and create new opportunities for the cultural and creative economy.

On the first day of the forum, Cyberport signed memoranda of understanding respectively withAlibaba Cloud, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts andHong Kong Shue Yan University. Its collaboration with Alibaba Cloud will support start-ups and enhance digital skills through the AI-Builder Program, joint training, technical resources, investment, and exchange opportunities. Together with The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Cyberport will promote art tech, AI innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development, while exploring the establishment of the Cyberport Academy × HKAPA Immersive Studio for the research, development, and showcase of art tech and immersive technology projects. In partnership with Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Cyberport will focus on AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies to encourage tertiary students to participate in project-based initiatives, company visits, internships, and employment opportunities, thereby strengthening innovation and technology talent development.

These strategic partnerships underscore the value of DELF 2026 as a key platform for advancing academiaindustryresearch collaboration, while highlighting Cyberport's pivotal role in connecting crosssector resources and reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a leading regional and international innovation and technology hub. The three Memoranda of Understanding were signed by Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, with representatives from each partner organisation. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, together with delegates from partner institutions, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony.

Following the opening of DELF 2026 today, a diverse range of exciting programmes, experiences and competitions will continue over the next two days, including eVTOL aircraft trial flight demonstrations, accessible gaming esports experiences, and senior esports and experience days, enabling participants of different ages and backgrounds to experience the vibrant world of digital entertainment. Members of the public can also join Cyberport Academy: DELF 2026 - AI Cultural and Creative Micro-Academy to learn creative skills such as art concept design and audio-visual production, and enjoy selected works from the Future Animation: 3rd AI-assisted animation production support scheme and the 2nd HKUST AI Film Festival Selected Projects, experiencing the new possibilities created by the convergence of digital entertainment and creative technology.

To encourage the public to further explore the world of digital entertainment, DELF 2026 has also launched a special "Play to Earn" campaign that combines gamified missions with rewards. Participants can collect stamps by visiting the four themed experience zones and completing designated missions, and redeem prizes along the way. Those who collect all stamps will have the opportunity to win limited-edition merchandise from the Hong Kong original animation IP Another World.

For details of the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026 and the full speaker line-up, please visit: https://delf.cyberport.hk/tc/index.

Please click here to download high-resolution press photos.

Photo 1: Cyberport's annual flagship event, Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026, opens today. Themed "The Dreamatic Circus", this year's forum explores new opportunities for the development of cultural and creative industries brought by AI and immersive technologies.

Photo 2: Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, delivers remarks at the opening ceremony, recognising Hong Kong's unique advantages in developing the digital entertainment and original IP industries, as well as its position as an innovation hub connecting the Chinese Mainland and international markets.

Photo 3: Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, says in his remarks that DELF 2026 not only showcases diverse innovative achievements in AI and immersive technologies, but also promotes industry discussion on the future development trends of original IP development, industry-academia collaboration and technology-enabled cultural creativity.

Photo 4: Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, and Ms Maria Tong, General Manager of Partner Development, APAC North, Alibaba Cloud, sign a memorandum of understanding, witnessed by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Antonio Leong, VP of Hong Kong & Macau Region, International Business, Alibaba Cloud, and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport.

Photo 5: Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, and Prof Anna CY CHAN, Director, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, sign a memorandum of understanding, witnessed by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Dr Terry LAM, Dean of the School of Film and Television, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Prof Andrew LAINE, Dean of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and and Mr Simon Chan Chairman of Cyberport.

Photo 6: Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, and Dr Jason Chow, Vice President (University Administration), Hong Kong Shue Yan University, sign a memorandum of understanding, witnessed by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Prof Catherine Sun, Senior Vice President, Hong Kong Shue Yan University and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport.

Photo 7 to 10: Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry visits the various innovative solutions in the DELF 2026 experience zone.

https://www.cyberport.hk/en