In a rapidly evolving world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and job markets, initiatives like the "AI Creativity Competition: Prompt Your Future Career" launched by Manulife Hong Kong in collaboration with Preface are essential for preparing the next generation for the challenges of tomorrow. This innovative competition seeks to empower students across Hong Kong, Macau, and other Greater Bay Area cities by encouraging them to explore diverse career paths through the lens of AI technology.
The Need for Future-Focused Learning
The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2030, approximately 170 million new roles will emerge globally, with an estimated 65% of today’s primary school students entering careers that currently do not exist. This transitional landscape underscores the urgent need for students to acquire technological knowledge, creative problem-solving skills, and adaptability. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various sectors, it is crucial for young minds to not only understand but also creatively engage with these technologies.
The competition promotes a proactive exploration of career possibilities, urging participants to envision emerging professions or redefine established roles using AI tools. This is a significant shift from traditional career exploration, inspiring students to reconsider what future jobs may demand in terms of skills and creativity.
Competition Structure and Evaluation
The AI Creativity Competition is designed for primary and secondary students aged 6 to 18, offering a platform for them to present their innovative thoughts in a structured format. The competition invites students to submit three components: an AI-generated image, a short story (100-300 words in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, or English), and a presentation video or animation lasting no longer than one minute.
Judging will involve a panel that includes representatives from Manulife, Preface, and other industry leaders, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of submissions. For the first time, an "AI Judge" will offer supplementary feedback on entries, enhancing the traditional judging process with AI insights.
Three major awards, namely the "Future Career Visionary Award," "AI Creativity Excellence Award," and "Community Favourite Award," will recognize standout participants from various age groups. With a total prize pool exceeding HKD 15,000, students have ample motivation to engage fully in this opportunity.
Training Workshops and Support
To further enhance the educational value of the competition, the first 100 registrants will gain complimentary access to AI training workshops. These sessions will cover key AI applications, including text and image generation tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, and others. Age-appropriate learning experiences will be tailored for primary and secondary school students, ensuring that each participant can grasp the concepts effectively.
The workshops aim to bolster students’ creative thinking, application capabilities, and overall technological fluency in an era where AI is integral to various professions. Manulife’s AI team will support the workshops, providing expertise and guidance, while Preface instructors will lead the sessions.
Empowering Families and Future Generations
This initiative is more than just an educational competition; it is a call to action for families to engage collaboratively in planning for the future. By encouraging students to explore potential career landscapes, Manulife and Preface are fostering a sense of responsibility and agency among young learners. As they envision their futures, students also gain the skills to confront challenges head-on.
Celia Ling, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau, emphasized the importance of this competition: "This allows primary and secondary students to explore the latest applications of AI technology while inspiring them to connect with future opportunities." Tommie Lo, Founder and CEO of Preface, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of empowering young people through technology.
Conclusion
As society transitions further into an AI-dominated landscape, initiatives like the Manulife and Preface AI Creativity Competition are vital for equipping students with the skills they need for the future. By fostering creativity, innovation, and collaboration, this competition is not only preparing students for their future careers but also enabling them to engage meaningfully with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Through careful planning, innovative educational strategies, and engagement with technological advancements, both Manulife and Preface are taking significant steps toward empowering the next generation. As the application period for the competition continues until the end of December 2025, students, parents, and educators in Hong Kong, Macau, and the Greater Bay Area are encouraged to participate and help shape a future where imagination and technology drive progress.
For those interested, further details are available on the official competition website: AI Creativity Competition: Prompt Your Future Career. This initiative serves as a profound example of how collaborative efforts between educational entities and industry leaders can redefine how we view career preparation in a rapidly changing world.
