Humanoid robot Sophia joins the HKBU Symphony Orchestra to present three original songs

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Symphony Orchestra presented its Annual Gala Concert at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre on 29 April 2026. Themed “Live Music ReIMAGINEd”, the event stood out as one of the most innovative cultural highlights in the city this year.

Under the baton of Professor Johnny M. Poon, Associate Vice-President (Interdisciplinary Research), Dean of the School of Creative Arts and Dr. Hung Hin Shiu Endowed Professor in Music at HKBU, this year’s concert pushed creative boundaries even further. In a world premiere, the humanoid robot Sophia took the stage as a soloist, performing alongside the HKBU Symphony Orchestra to explore a new frontier of musical interaction between human musicians and AI singers.

Another highlight was a performance inspired by the classic Chinese Mainland TV series Journey to the West, which combined dazzling visual effects and live e-sports-style visuals, blending nostalgia with innovation. The concert concluded with the finale featuring the world premiere of Birthday Fantasia, a new commission by alumnus Ronald Fu that celebrated HKBU's 70th anniversary together with the entire audience.

This annual gala concert attracted a wide audience of government officials, members of the Council and the Court at HKBU, alumni, donors, staff, students, and distinguished guests from various sectors of the community, including Miss Rosanna Law Shuk Pui, JP,  Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the HKSAR; Mr. Kevin Liem, Treasurer of the University’s Council and Court and the HKBU Foundation; Professor Alex Wai, JP, President and Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Clement Chen, GBS, JP, former Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU; and Professor Ng Ching Fai, GBS, President Emeritus.

A number of HKBU Foundation members and friends graced the occasion. Among them were Dr. Pamela Chan, BBS, JP; Dr. Chiu Chun Bong, MBE, JP, and Mrs. Luna Chiu; Dr. Eddie Ho; Professor Harrison Ho; Dr. Vincent Ho; Mr. Samuel Lam; Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lau; Mr. Alex Leung; Dr. Mui Kwong Chiu; Mr. John Poon; Ir Professor Paul Poon, MH; Mr. Tyrone Siu; Mr. So Kai Sing and Mrs. Susan So, SBS, BBS; Mr. So Wing Kin and Mrs. Nora So; Ms. Vicky Sung; Ms. Karen Tang; Mr. Tin Wing Sin; Mr. Bryan Tin; Professor James Tsien; Ms. Eileen Tsui, BBS, JP; Mr. Wong Nga Chung; Professor Sunny Wong; Mr. Nick Yuen; and Dr. Emma Zhou. Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation, also attended the event to welcome the guests.