READ@PolyU: Meet the Author — Chen Qiufan
When Sci‑Fi & Real Life Collide: Imagining AI’s Next Chapter

Here comes the highlight of READ@PolyU campus‑wide reading programme this year.

Join us for an exclusive conversation with award‑winning science fiction author Mr Chen Qiufan, the creator of the stories in AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future, the READ@PolyU Common Book 2026.

In this talk, you’ll go behind the scenes of how these ten futuristic stories were imagined—and what they reveal about AI, society, and the choices we all face.

Time: 14 October 2026 (Wed), 14:30-15:30
Format: Hybrid (Face-to-Face at The Forum, 6/F, Library and Online via Zoom).
Quota: 80 (face-to-face), 200 (online)
Language: English

Register Now!

Event Rundown

• Author talk: Mr Chen will discuss selected stories from AI 2041, sharing his creative process, inspirations, and the real‑world technologies behind the scenes
• Q&A session: Moderated by Prof. Zhang Yu, Associate Professor, Department of Chinese History and Culture
• Book signing: Bring your copy of AI 2041 for a personal autograph from Mr Chen

Ask Mr Chen Qiufan a question on Instagram – and win a book!

Have a question for Mr Chen about AI 2041, AI, or the future? Share it on Instagram and you could see your question answered live — and win a prize.

How to participate:

1. Post a thought‑provoking question related to AI 2041 on your Instagram account.
2. Use the hashtag: #PolyUReads_Chen_Qiufan
3. Email a screenshot of your post to lbread@polyu.edu.hk
4. Submission deadline: 12 October 2026 (Mon)

 

After the deadline, we will send your submitted questions to Mr Chen for selection. If your question is chosen, you will receive another bestselling book by Mr Chen as a prize. During the Q&A, Mr Chen will answer the Instagram questions first, before taking questions from the live and Zoom audience.

About the Author

Mr Chen Qiufan (aka Stanley Chan) is one of China’s most influential contemporary science fiction writers and a leading voice on technology and the future. Born in 1981 in Guangdong, he has published dozens of stories and novels that blend speculative imagination with sharp realism. His debut novel, Waste Tide, has been translated into multiple languages and won international acclaim, while his 2021 book AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future (co‑authored with Kai‑Fu Lee) became a global bestseller. Chen serves as President of the World Chinese Science Fiction Association and has held fellowships at Yale University and the Berggruen Institute.

The Library is excited to announce the launch of our new high-performance AI computing facilities. These resources provide a dedicated environment for everyone—from beginners to advanced users—to explore, develop, and implement AI technologies.

Whether you are learning to use AI, developing custom AI applications, or completing AI coursework, the AI workstations and notebooks are fully equipped to support your needs:

Ready-to-Use Environments: Pre-installed with Python, Jupyter Notebook, for coding and data cleaning tasks.

Advanced Capabilities: Pre-installed LLM and API endpoint, making it easy to incorporate LLM functionalities into your applications and workflows.

High-End Hardware: Optimised for AI development and research.

Please click here for detailed information on available software and hardware specifications.

The AI notebooks are available for walk-in use at i-Space (4/F, North Wing) inside the Digital Visualisation Room.

Step into the future of AI innovation today!

BCC Research delivers comprehensive market intelligence and forecasting across the life sciences, digital world, materials, energy & sustainability, and artificial intelligence technology.

With five-year projections, market share analysis, and detailed competitive profiling, it helps researchers understand evolving global market dynamics and stay ahead of critical technology changes.

Key content covers:

Life Sciences: Medical & Surgical Devices, Cell Biology, Pharmaceuticals, and health maintenance

Digital World: Instrumentation & Sensors, Safety and Security, Engineering, Photonics, and Information Technology

Materials: Advanced Materials, Plastics, Chemicals, Semiconductor and Nanotechnology, and Environment

Energy & Sustainability: Water, Membranes and Separations, Fuel Cell and Battery, Food, Energy, Manufacturing and Environment

Artificial Intelligence Technology: Artificial Technology & AI Sentiment Index

Expiry date: 31 December 2026