July 7, 2023

The School of Communication (SCOM) held its first large-scale academic conference the ‘2023 SCOM Conference on Metaverse: Ecosystem, Communication and Technology in Mainland, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong’ from 7 to 8 July 2023. Professor Simon S M Ho, President of the University, opened the event with a keynote address in which he noted that the increasing prominence of spatial computing has been epitomised by virtual reality (VR) and AI-generated content (AIGC), and that these technologies will be the key drivers of future trends. In her welcome remarks, Professor Scarlet Tso, Dean of SCOM, highlighted the School’s dedication to integrating innovative elements related to the metaverse and artificial intelligence (AI) within course offerings. The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Convergent Media and Communication Technology, and the (upcoming) Master of Digital Media program will evolve to stay on top of ever-changing trends in the communications industry and to meet the increasing need for professionals with new skillsets. Distinguished keynote speakers at the conference included Professor Chen, President of Shih Hsin University; Mr George Chen, Managing Director of the Asia Group and World Scholar of Yale University; and Dr Evan Xu, an expert at Tencent Video AI Technology Center.

The conference served as a dynamic academic platform that united distinguished scholars, technology experts, and industry leaders to foster in-depth research and explore the implications of metaverse. The discussions at the conference addressed:

• Macro operating systems and the growth of production and sales in metaverse business communication.
• Communication education and talent development initiatives in the metaverse and AI.
• Technological advancements, virtual avatars, AI algorithms, and content generation techniques (Unreal Engine 5 and Unity) in the metaverse, along with the establishment of metaverse cities and cultural tourism.
• Cultural and creative brand marketing within the metaverse, post-cinema narrative strategies, cutting-edge models in animation and manga production practices, immersive consumption experiences, and innovative market marketing approaches.

Participating guests and scholars at the conference agreed that the foundational support provided by artificial intelligence, blockchain, and mixed-reality technologies will unlock a wealth of possibilities for the future of the metaverse. The insights from discussions at the Conference and forward-thinking perspectives will further enable SCOM to innovate its curriculum design and effectively nurture talent that will be able to meet the evolving needs of the society and the industry.