An Artificial Intelligence (AI) software system jointly designed and developed by Dr Andy Chun at CityU and the MTR Corporation has been honoured by the American Association for Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) with the “Innovative Application of Artificial Intelligence” Award 2005 (IAAI) in the category of “Deployed Applications”. This demonstrates CityU’s excellence in applied research and the University’s commitment to collaboration with industry leaders for the benefit of Hong Kong society.

 

The award-winning “AI Engine”, which has been in daily use since July 2004, is a component of the MTR’s Engineering Works and Traffic Information Management System. The “AI Engine” is an intelligent scheduling software for the efficient allocation and management of all engineering resources for the five existing MTR lines, Airport Express and the new Disneyland Resort Line scheduled to open soon.

 

“Ensuring the safety of engineering works and the consistently optimal usage of the railway system during the short few hours available overnight are the top priorities of the AI scheduling system. With CityU’s expertise in this area, we are pleased to work with them on this state-of-the-art project. MTR Corporation is committed to adopt latest technologies for the provision of a safe, efficient and comfortable mass transit railway system,” commented Ir Richard Keefe, Infrastructure Engineering Manager – Tseung Kwan O Line of MTR Corporation.

 

Dr Andy Chun, Associate Professor in CityU’s Department of Computer Science, is the only person in Greater China to have received this award to date. He is a local expert in applying AI technology to scheduling, and resource and manpower allocation. “I am delighted that we have won this prestigious award which recognizes CityU as one of the world’s leading technology innovators,” he said. “I believe our AI technologies can easily be applied to many different types of organizations in Hong Kong, to help them streamline operations and maximize performance and revenue.”

 

Since 1990, the annual IAAI has been awarded internationally to honour deployed applications with measurable benefits whose value depends on the use of AI technology. Founded in 1979, the AAAI is a nonprofit scientific society devoted to advancing scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behaviour and their embodiment in machines.