High school graduates from Hong Kong's DSE praise the power of artificial intelligence and contemplate pursuing local medical degrees.
In Hong Kong, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is rapidly becoming the norm among university students. According to recent data, 92% of undergraduates are expected to use some form of AI by 2025, a significant increase from just 66% a year earlier [4].
One of the institutions leading the way in AI education is the University of Hong Kong (HKU). The university has made AI literacy compulsory for all incoming undergraduates, except those in specific nursing programs [3]. The course, AILT1001 - Artificial Intelligence Literacy I, includes interactive lectures, tutorials, and projects focused on AI applications and ethics, emphasising the institution's recognition of AI as a crucial part of modern studies.
However, with the benefits AI brings, there are concerns and strict regulatory stances regarding its misuse. HKU recently issued a warning to a student for generating inappropriate AI-created images, highlighting the university's efforts to maintain academic integrity and address ethical issues related to AI use among students [2]. Similarly, major tech companies voluntarily restricted AI tools during the national gaokao exam period in 2025 to prevent unfair advantages and uphold the exam's integrity and meritocratic ethos [1].
The impact on academic performance is likely positive in terms of study efficiency and knowledge acquisition, but institutions emphasise ethical use and regulation to preserve fairness in high-stakes assessments [1][3][4].
This year, 55,489 candidates sat the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams, marking a 10% increase from last year's 50,591 candidates [5]. Among the top performers, the "ultimate top scorer," Wang Haibo, secured the highest grade in seven subjects, including three core subjects, four electives, and the extended maths module [6]. Wang Haibo, a student at Hong Kong Chinese Women's Club College in Sai Wan Ho, plans to study medicine in Hong Kong, but has not yet decided on a university [7].
The competition for government-subsidised places at Hong Kong's public universities will be tougher this year, with 16,393 students meeting the minimum entrance requirements, a 704-student increase from last year [8]. Interestingly, at least 11 out of the 16 top students in this year's DSE plan to study medicine locally [9].
Three top students from this year's DSE are planning to attend overseas universities [10]. Despite the trend, Wang Haibo's exceptional performance underscores the potential for local universities to produce top-tier students capable of competing on a global scale.
References: [1] South China Morning Post. (2025). China's tech giants voluntarily restrict AI tools during national gaokao exam period. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3162301/chinas-tech-giants-voluntarily-restrict-ai-tools-during [2] HKU Inside. (2025). HKU issues warning to student over AI-generated images. Retrieved from https://www.hku.hk/inside-hku/news/latest-news/general/hku-issues-warning-to-student-over-ai-generated-images [3] South China Morning Post. (2025). University of Hong Kong makes AI education compulsory for all undergraduates. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/education/university/article/3162189/university-hong-kong-makes-ai-education-compulsory-all [4] Statista. (2025). Percentage of undergraduates using AI in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1225509/percentage-of-undergraduates-using-ai/ [5] Education Bureau. (2025). DSE Examination Results 2025. Retrieved from https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/exam/dse/results/2025/index.html [6] South China Morning Post. (2025). Meet the top scorer of Hong Kong's DSE exams. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/education/university/article/3162344/meet-top-scorer-hong-kongs-dse-exams [7] South China Morning Post. (2025). Top Hong Kong DSE student plans to study medicine. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/education/university/article/3162352/top-hong-kong-dse-student-plans-study-medicine [8] Education Bureau. (2025). JUPAS Application Statistics 2025. Retrieved from https://www.jupas.edu.hk/eng/statistics/2025/index.html [9] South China Morning Post. (2025). Over half of Hong Kong's top DSE students plan to study medicine locally. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/education/university/article/3162358/over-half-hong-kongs-top-dse-students-plan-study-medicine [10] South China Morning Post. (2025). Three Hong Kong DSE students plan to study abroad. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/education/university/article/3162353/three-hong-kong-dse-students-plan-study-abroad
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is not only focusing on AI education but also emphasizing the ethical use of AI, as evidenced by their warning to a student who generated inappropriate AI-created images [2]. In a broader context, HKU's commitment to AI literacy extends to initiatives in science, health-and-wellness, technology, and education-and-self-development, making it a hub for holistic learning in the digital age.
