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CUHK and Corvinus University of Budapest co-host CogInfoCom 2026

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), through its CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute (SZRI) and the InnoHK Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence (CPII), co-hosted the 17th Cognitive Infocommunications Conference (CogInfoCom 2026) alongside Corvinus University of Budapest (CUB) on 12-15 October 2026 at Hong Kong Science Park. Marking the first time this premier international conference has been held in China since its inception in 2010, the event convened global leaders from academia and industry to explore the frontier convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), cognitive science and information and communications technology (ICT).

Building an international academic and innovation bridge

The opening ceremony brought together distinguished academic and research leaders from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas. Officiating guests included Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung, CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Alumni / Community Engagement & Institutional Advancement); General Chairs of the conference Professor Yam Yeung (Director of SZRI), Professor Helen Meng Mei-ling (Director of CPII) and Professor Péter Baranyi (CUB); Dr Lin Huangquan, Director of the Office for Greater Bay Area Developments at CUHK; Professor Vincenzo Loia of the University of Salerno; Dr Huang Dongyan, Chief Scientist of Shenzhen Joylift AI Co., Ltd; Professor Yan Nan of Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor András Hajdu and Professor Attila Gilányi of University of Debrecen (UD); and Professor Ádám Csapó of CUB. The event was also attended by renowned international scholars, research partners and representatives of supporting units.

Group photo of officiating guests (from left): Professor Attila Gilányi, Professor András Hajdu, Professor Vincenzo Loia, Professor Helen Meng, Professor Yam Yeung, Professor Anthony Chan, Professor Péter Baranyi, Dr Lin Huangquan, Dr Huang Dongyan, Professor Yan Nan and Professor Ádám Csapó

Delivering his remarks, Professor Chan stated that guided by CUHK 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, the University actively promotes interdisciplinary and international collaboration across Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the global scientific community, committing to translating academic excellence into tangible societal impact. He highlighted that CUHK’s long-standing engagement in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) through platforms such as SZRI, which connects world-class research with regional industrial capabilities. Co-hosting this international conference with CUB builds an enduring bridge for international academia and innovation.

Professor Yam added that the conference was being held in China for the first time, taking place in the GBA. By gathering top experts in cognitive infocommunications and AI, the conference strengthens industry-academia-research synergy across Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the world, advocating for human-centric AI technology that generates long-term global benefits.

Professor Baranyi highlighted the uniquely collaborative and friendly atmosphere that has long distinguished the conference series, while affirming the fruitful research achievements of participating scholars. He emphasised that AI is moving from virtual space to the physical world via robotics and intelligent carriers, bridging the gap between digital and physical realms to forge entirely new lifestyle paradigms and cognitive modes.

Driving next-generation cognitive systems and embodied AI

The hybrid conference focused on interdisciplinary research in the fields of ICT and cognitive science. Discussions centred on how cognitive processes co-evolve with ICT devices, explored technological approaches to transcend physical brain limitations to achieve cognitive augmentation, and promoted the efficient integration of natural and artificial cognitive systems.

The event featured keynote addresses by Professor Meng, Professor Loia and Professor Zeng Yi, as well as invited talks by Dr Huang and Professor Yan, alongside presentations by various experts and scholars. Beyond academic sessions, it also included special showcases such as “AI Transformation Exhibition” and “AI NEXT Exhibition”, displaying cutting-edge research and practical applications in artificial cognitive capabilities, machine learning and deep learning, human-AI interaction, cognitive data visualisation, social cognitive ICT, and embodied and generative cognitive systems.

Strengthening the Sino-Hungarian strategic alliance

The successful convening of CogInfoCom 2026 built on the bilateral strategic cooperation agreements signed by SZRI and CPII with CUB in 2025 and 2026, respectively, establishing an “Academic and Innovation Matrix” (AIM) platform and launching bilateral joint research projects funded by the Hungarian National Research Grant. Building on this strong strategic foundation, all parties continue to strengthen the Sino-Hungarian alliance through industry-academia-research collaboration.

About the International Conference on Cognitive Infocommunications

Since its inception in 2010, the International Conference on Cognitive Infocommunications has successfully convened 16 editions. Possessing a rich academic heritage, it attracts widespread participation from global scholars in cognitive science, AI and related fields. Having previously hosted in countries such as Hungary, Italy, Finland, Japan and Austria, the conference was held in China for the first time this year.

Group photo of international researchers and participants at CogInfoCom 2026 at Hong Kong Science Park