Anchored by Prefaceand Peterson Group to Scale the Initiative
50 stakeholders,including CEOs, partners, school principals, ambassadors and students, cametogether to celebrate the transformative impact of AI 5000 on Hong Kong’syouth.
HONG KONG — Melo Foundation, in collaboration with anchor partners Peterson Group and Preface, convened atPreface HQ to unveil the impact findings of AI 5000, the city’s firstCEO-driven, at-scale AI initiative. This program has effectively bridged the gap between the corporate needs and education framework, equipping 3,863students across 23 schools with the essential skillsets to lead the AI revolution.
With the commitment of 20 leading CEOs and social leaders, 30 university students, AI 5000 mobilised over 300 pro-bono hours of support from leaders who volunteered their time. Before engaging with students, they also participated in an AI “crash course” to better understand the curriculum.The program delivered 8 hours of hands-on training per student, focusing on AI literacy, ethics and practical AI application.
Bridging the Disparity in Access
The program’s core mission targets the disparity in educational resources across the city. By bringing leaders from global brands directly into secondary schools, AI 5000 has empowered Hong Kong’s youth from diverse backgrounds with real-world industry insights and technical literacy.
Key Impact Highlights from the AI 5000 programme:
The success of the program is exemplified by students from SAHK Ko Fook Lu Memorial School, who showcased an AI-driven web app prototype built using Poe and Google Gemini, illustrating how AI empowers students with diverse abilities to learn, create, and innovate.
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Insights from the Frontlines: The AI in Education Panel
The event featured a deep-dive panel discussion on the evolving intersection of leadership and education.
ChristineIp, Vice Chairman, UOB Greater China, said the initiative embodies a meaningful transfer of industry wisdom: “We see our role as building the bridge. CEOs contribute not only knowledge, but also networks and professional insight that help translate classroom learning into real‑world, career‑ready skills.”
Principal Liza Lam of St. Stephen’sGirls’ College emphasized that technology must serve the student’s internal drive:"While AI tools provide the 'how,' the students' own motivation remains the 'why.' The success of this curriculum lies in how it empowers students to take ownership of their own learning journey."
Ellen Lau, Director at Preface, addressed the necessity of an adaptive mindset: "In a world where technology updates daily, curiosity is the only skill that doesn't expire. We are teaching students to be 'problem-finders' who use AI to build solutions, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve in this AI era."
Building on the movement's momentum, Kenny Lam, Co-founder of Project Melo, andTony Yeung, CEO of Peterson Group, outlined the next phase of growth. The initiative will now expand into three strategic verticals: School AI Enablement for teachers, Workforce Ecosystems for SMEs, and Cross-Generational Engagement for families. Melo Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring no youth is left behind in the AI economy, providing every student with the ladder they need for upward social mobility.
List of Supporting CEOs:
Future Readiness: Scaling from Schools to Society
Event Photo Download: https://bit.ly/4b8dwLI
About Melo Foundation / Project Melo
Melo Foundation is a non-profit charitable organisation (#91/20155) that empowers youth for social impact by addressing disparities in access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities. The foundation believes in equipping young people with "inner confidence and resilience" by providing access, exposure, and the "right stage"to grow. Our social enterprise arm - Project Melo fosters a two-way mentorship network between youth and leading CEOs, facilitating collaborative impact projects. To date, Project Melo has engaged over 1,000 university students and65 CEOs, and worked on over 23 social projects. Learn more: https://www.melo.org
About Preface
Preface is a global tech-enabling company providing fast, validated technology content and learning solutions. Our mission is to empower corporates and individuals to navigate rapidly evolving technology for success in a fast-changing world. With offices in Hong Kong, London, Singapore and Tokyo, Preface creates market-driven learning experiences through decentralised content development and delivery. Learn more: https://www.preface.ai/
About Peterson Group
Peterson Group is a family office with areal estate focus. Over the years theGroup has transformed into a family enterprise managing a diverse real estate portfolio across major regions and asset types, alongside a family office investing in a multi-asset-class strategy. Our vision is to create a sustainable model for generations to come with a focus on the sustainability of the family, business and community. Learn more: https://www.petersonhk.com
Media Contact
Stephanie Yau
Melo Foundation
Tel: (852) 6340 2256
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