About Us

Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab)

AiDLab is the first research platform that focuses on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with design. It was jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Royal College of Art (RCA) in the UK, and is funded by the HKSAR Government under the InnoHK Research Clusters. Located at the Hong Kong Science Park, AiDLab has established a new creative cluster of AI in design and is in a leading position internationally to conduct interdisciplinary research that drives innovation and sustainability, and makes a positive impact on both industry and society. AiDLab brings together a diverse mix of leading researchers and practitioners from its founding institutions to conduct research in three thematic programmes: Ergonomic and Inclusive Design, Innovation in Product and Service Design, and Intelligent Fashion Design and Quality Control.

Introductory Video and Virtual Tour of AiDLab: click here
Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design
From left: Dr. Emma Wakelin, Prof. Naren Barfield, Prof. Paul Anderson
From left: Dr. Jeanne Tan, Prof. Calvin Wong, Dr. Kit-lun Yick
ABOUT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
While boasting a proud history of over 80 years, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is a vibrant and aspiring university with a forward-looking vision and mission. Committed to building a talent pipeline and research strength for advancing the development of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world, PolyU provides the best holistic education to nurture future-ready global citizens and socially responsible leaders; conducts high-impact interdisciplinary research and proactively transfers knowledge to create value and build impact.  We embrace internationalisation and engage the nation for education and research through strategic partnerships and collaborations.

With "Opening Minds. Shaping the Future" as our brand promise, the University is currently offering more than 160 taught programmes in six faculties and two schools, engaging in 3,200 exciting research projects and collaborating with over 660 institutions overseas and in the Chinese mainland on a wide variety of initiatives. We have over 400,000 alumni around the globe and 28,000 students.
ABOUT ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART
The Royal College of Art is the world's leading art and design university. A small, specialist postgraduate institution based in the heart of London, the RCA's approach is founded on the premise that art, design, creative thinking, science, engineering and technology must all collaborate to solve today's global challenges. It excels in world-leading art and design research with real-world impact. Its research is characterised by its roots in creative and innovative practice, by engagement with business, industry, government policy and communities, and by collaboration across disciplines, particularly with researchers in science, engineering, technology and medicine. Its teaching, research and innovation are delivered through four Schools – Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication, and Design – and through four Research Centres – the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, the Intelligent Mobility Design Centre, the Material Science Research Centre, and the Computer Science Research Centre, working alongside the RCA Robotics Lab and the Design Age Institute.
THE ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE OF AI
 
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies has great potential to transform our industry and society, contributing to positive sustainable global economic activity and improving societal welfare and well-being. AI and robotics systems can serve to improve the work environment and quality of life, and create the potential for realising a future society that is human-centred with opportunities for everyone, including vulnerable groups and individuals such as children, the disabled and the elderly.


Along with all the tremendous opportunities that AI will unleash, it will pose a variety of challenges and also has ethical implications. The Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab), as the world's first research platform focusing on AI and design innovations, will take proactive measures at all stages of R&D to ensure that the highest standards of research ethics are adhered to. The AiDLab has taken the following steps:

• Guiding Principles for research involving human subjects (including their personal data) are in place.
• For research involving human subjects, in addition to conforming to applicable laws and regulations and generally accepted scientific principles, a research protocol has been developed and submitted to a research ethics committee for consideration, comment and approval prior to the research.
• Informed consent will be obtained from the research subjects and data subjects for data collection before the start of the research. Consent can be withdrawn fully or partly by the potential subjects at any time and without reprisal.
• In addition to compliance with applicable laws and regulations such as the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap 486) in Hong Kong and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a governance mechanism is in place to ensure ethical collection, sharing, and research use of data, from the drafting of research proposals to the publication and dissemination of results.

These steps do not comprise an exhaustive list of the ethical principles and protocols that we comply with. For more information, please email info@aidlab.hk