Once, science fiction served as a prophecy of the longer term. Today, know-how is reworking these visions into our lived actuality at an unprecedented tempo. As each an extrapolation of scientific frontiers and a realm of creativeness, science fiction regularly expands the boundaries of human understanding, whereas quickly evolving know-how continuously reshapes the type of science fiction itself. In these twin currents of progress, how will science fiction envision the longer term for us?
On October 18, 2025, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) held its Congregation 2025, conferring an honorary doctorate upon Mr. LIU Cixin, the primary Asian author to win the distinguished Hugo Awards. That identical afternoon, Dr. Liu Cixin hosted an enticing dialogue session on the HKUST Lee Shau Kee Library the place he held an in-depth dialogue with Prof. LIU Jianmei, Chair Professor of the Division of Humanities of the School of Humanities and Social Science at HKUST, in addition to attending college, college students, and alumni.
Dr. Liu guided the HKUST group on an exploration of the huge universe inside his seminal work, The Three-Body Problem, delving into the philosophical concepts and worldview that underpin its creation.
When discussing the longer term, Dr. Liu emphasised that human civilization is on a steady upward trajectory. He said that the last word purpose of know-how must be to liberate humanity, to not constrain private progress. “Only when our technological civilization advances and material abundance is greatly enhanced,” he famous, “can individuals truly gain the opportunity to achieve better development and a higher quality of life.”
He additional mirrored on the potential of synthetic intelligence, observing, “Humanity undoubtedly faces inherent limits, both intellectual and physical. Artificial intelligence, however, may have the capacity to transcend these boundaries, disseminating human civilization across the cosmos and realizing dreams that have long eluded us.”
From the sources of inspiration and the enduring appeal of sci-fi narratives to AI’s affect on creativity and visions of the longer term within the massive information period, Dr. Liu’s distinctive insights broadened the mental horizons of the HKUST group. This occasion was greater than a mere data change; it was a spark of creativeness, igniting curiosity and a renewed enthusiasm for exploring the unknown amongst HKUST college students and college.
Experience the Favours and Culture of Hong Kong at Traditional Dai Pai Dong
That night, HKUST Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM and President Prof. Nancy IP hosted a dinner for Dr. Liu Cixin at a standard dai pai dong in Sham Shui Po. They had been joined by Dr. Choi Yuk-Lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government; Dr. John CHAN Cho-Chak, HKUST Pro-Chancellor; and a number of other different buddies from the native cultural and educational sectors. Against the colourful backdrop of the native eatery, they loved genuine Cantonese dishes and conversed on subjects starting from the expansion of Hong Kong’s inventive industries to the nurturing of future expertise.