On September 26, the first day of the world’s largest AI & Web3 investment summit “EDGE Summit” was grandly launched at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.

The EDGE Summit was hosted by Vertex Labs (UK), AGI Society (US) and Luna PR (Dubai), and co-hosted by HKBA (Hong Kong Blockchain Association), SVIEF (Silicon Valley Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum), CBAIA (British-Chinese Artificial Intelligence Association), Blockbeats (Rhythm), TokenInsight, Techub News and Oobit. This global team has attracted pioneering projects from all over the world to gather in Hong Kong. The summit has received strong support from many Hong Kong government agencies, and more than 200 scholars, politicians, investors, entrepreneurs and artists from various countries have attended the event.

Former Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Chung Wai-keung, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony on "Hong Kong Investment and Cross-border Data Policy Sharing".

He mentioned: "Hong Kong is known for its strong investment industry and strategic geographical location, which gives us a good foothold in the field of investment innovation in this digital age. Innovation and technology are policy priorities of the Hong Kong government, and have achieved encouraging results. For example, in 2023, Hong Kong ranked 19th in the Global Smart City Index, an increase of 38 places from the previous ranking. In terms of investment innovation, Hong Kong has been committed to innovation in areas such as investment technology, digital banking, virtual assets and cross-border investment services. We aim to develop the digital economy and take the lead in the development of the third generation of the Internet (WEB3) and artificial intelligence."

At the same time, the "Hong Kong-Shenzhen International Computing Power Center" was unveiled at the summit. The computing power center will integrate Hong Kong's investment advantages, Shenzhen's manufacturing power, and international information and creativity to create a new chapter marking the integration and collaboration of international super computing power. It is expected to Bring more innovation and cooperation opportunities to the global technology community.

Ander Tsui, Chairman of the EDGE Summit, Co-Chairman of the Hong Kong Blockchain Association, and Founder of Vertex Labs, said at the opening ceremony that Web3 is a production relationship and AI is a productivity. AI and web3 conflict in underlying logic. The large amount of resources required by large AI models makes AI very centralized from training to operation, while the prospects of Web3 built on blockchain prioritize decentralization and openness and transparency. This makes it very difficult to combine AI and Web3 at the underlying level, but it is precisely this contradictory logic at the underlying level that allows AI and Web3 to complement each other. They do not seek to become the core of each other's narrative, but can become solutions to each other's pain points and promote their respective development. The two technologies will also bring many new narratives to each other, leaving huge room for imagination.

The economic model design of Web3 can help many AI project parties improve the utilization rate of funds and promote the project to attract new users. The benefits of blockchain itself, such as reducing infrastructure costs, verifying identities, injecting democracy and transparency into the data black box in artificial intelligence, and providing data contribution incentives, can provide new ideas for product design for AI project teams. At the infrastructure layer, the decentralized mechanism of Web3 can solve the risks and problems of current AI from the bottom up, such as privacy protection, data abuse, etc. At the application layer, AI can help the development and popularization of Web3 applications.

Ander has been in the blockchain industry for 10 years and has experienced three bull and bear cycles. He knows that technological development is always accompanied by innovation and risks. In terms of supervision, he suggests that we can be more proactive in formulating rules and bravely face innovation.

At the summit, Desi, the latest generation of humanoid robot in the field of AI, made its debut on stage. She traveled across the ocean from Europe to Asia, where she had never been before, to discuss with us the potential of artificial intelligence and the boundaries of human interaction. Innovative and entrepreneurial Web3 and AI projects from around the world will also showcase their talents on the EDGE Summit DEMO DAY on September 27.

Today's summit includes 3 sub-venues. The Web 3 sub-venue aims to explore the next-generation Web 3 landscape. Topics include how Alpha will be born in the crypto market, account abstraction, new industry and technology directions, etc.

The AI ​​session discussed topics such as the native profit model of generative AI, the pan-entertainment applications of AIGC, and autonomous agents and applications based on large language models.

The Hong Kong Web3 Security and Compliance sub-venue discussed topics such as how artificial intelligence and technology will change compliance in the Web3 era, project security compliance and anti-money laundering, and the paradox of regulation and decentralization.

At the end of the main venue that day, Vertex Labs signed a strategic cooperation agreement with META48 HOLDINGS, TAI Group and WHATSART.

As a leader in the field of Metaverse, Web3 and AI infrastructure, the organizer Vertex Labs envisions a future where AI and Web3 are seamlessly integrated. There, fashion, art and entertainment in our current physical world and Web2 world will be combined with the concept of Metaverse; trendsetters, entrepreneurs and investors will empower each other, and disruptive innovation can emerge from the most cutting-edge discussions, bold cross-border cooperation, and interesting attempts.

The choice of Hong Kong as the venue for this summit is a meaningful move, as it will allow Asia’s gateway to the world to shine again.

Hong Kong is a world-class stage for Web3 and AI conferences and other major events. It not only attracts entrepreneurs, investors and aspirants from around the world, but also serves as a key gateway to the booming Greater Bay Area.

China has been maintaining its position at the forefront of Web3 development, with a large number of outstanding Web3 funds and entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Hong Kong enjoys political stability and a very supportive legal framework. With the strong support of the Hong Kong government, the EDGE Summit will serve as a platform for exchanging and disseminating cutting-edge insights on a global scale, connecting the world and promoting Hong Kong's potential as an incubation center for cutting-edge technologies such as Web3 and artificial intelligence.

Technology, fashion and investment have always been Hong Kong’s business card to the world. Today, when the new technological revolution is shaking human cognition, Hong Kong will continue to lead the world.

Global, trendy, and interesting, EDGE attempts to use technology and capital to support the stage, beautifully integrating art, AI, and Web3, seamlessly linking investment, technology, and fashion to create an unparalleled immersive participation experience.

Welcome to the future.