Digital Domain Drives Industry-Academia-Research Collaborations, Partnering with Professors from Higher Education Institutions

Accelerating Creative Workflow Innovation while Fostering Talent Development and Upgrading Technology

HONG KONG,July 2, 2025/PRNewswire/ -- Since establishing its R&D Center at Hong Kong Science Park in 2024,Digital Domain Holdings Limited(Digital Domain, Stock code: 547) has been actively supportingHong Kong'sinnovation and technology development to enhance industry revolution through implementing Industry-Academia-Research collaborations. Digital Domain has now reached a consensus to partner with educators from several higher education institutions, including TheUniversity of Hong Kong(HKU), CityUniversity of Hong Kong(CityUHK), and Hong Kong Design Institute. By leveraging partnerships across the industry, academia, and research, Digital Domain is accelerating the innovation of creation. With its expertise in virtual humans, visual effects, and visualization, Digital Domain is dedicated to nurturing talent, while driving innovation in emerging technologies and exploring future business opportunities.

Empowering a New Era of Education with AI: Advancing Virtual Human Technology in Educational Scenarios.

Amidst the transformative wave spurred by AI, it is essential to integrate innovative technology and accelerate the development of new, high-quality productive forces to supportHong Kong'sinnovation and technology development. AI-driven virtual teachers, immersive learning experiences, and real-time interactive technologies are empowering education to embrace the next era of intelligence and personalization.

Digital Domain recently participated in a program led by Prof.Cecilia K.Y. Chan, Professor in the Faculty of Education and the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) at HKU. She also serves as the Chair of the UGC AI Community of Practice (AI CoP), a program under the University Grants Committee (UGC) and the Hong Kong Teaching Excellence Alliance (HKTEA). Digital Domain fully supports its project of"Voices Beyond the Physical: A Framework for Using Virtual Humans to Advance Equity and Inclusion in Schools,"by providing virtual human technology development, infrastructure, and creative support to promote AI education, inclusive learning, and research on teaching methods in line with ESG principles.

This collaboration marks the expansion of virtual humans from entertainment to education. Prof.Cecilia K.Y.Chanremarked:"We aim to build a cross-disciplinary system for innovative technology by connecting technology research experts, educators, and industry resources to redefine teaching through cutting-edge technologies. Together with Digital Domain, we believe AI can transform education, foster empathy, and promote social inclusion. By focusing on virtual human technology, this initiative aims to introduce a new ESG-aligned teaching model across schools inHong KongandSoutheast Asiato empower the next generation."

Leveraging Virtual Humans for Talent development and advancing AI Technology Advancement

Generative AI and AI-driven virtual human technologies are significantly transforming the educational landscape. Digital Domain is actively enhancing its strategic partnerships with professors from higher education institutions inHong Kong. Recently, the company inaugurated an elite training program in collaboration with Prof.Jianping Wangfrom the College of Computing at CityUHK. This program offers students internship opportunities, including participating in virtual human development, training generative AI models, and collaborating with Digital Domain's experts to deepen AI application capabilities.

Upon completing the internship, participants will have the opportunity to continue their involvement in  various projects at Digital Domain, which include advancements in virtual human technology and applications developed by both local and international institutions. This program establishes a comprehensive ecosystem for talent development that effectively bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. It offers valuable opportunities for individuals who aspire to explore and engage in research on AI technology.

Prof.Jianping Wangsaid:"CityUHK is committed to nurturing the next generation of innovation and technology talent. With over 30 years of experience in virtual human technologies, especially in real-time interactive solutions, Digital Domain brings deep expertise to this partnership. We hope to inspire students to push the boundaries of knowledge through innovative technologies, cultivate key talent capable of advancing cutting-edge AI, and accelerate transformation in education, society, and beyond. This partnership marks an important milestone in shaping the future of innovation and technology."

Combining Innovation, Creativity and Education to Empower Future TalentThrough Hands-OnIn-Depth Practical Experience

Digital Domain is committed to advancing industry-academia-research partnerships through diverse approaches. The company is set to launch an internship program with Mr. LamWai Keung, Head of Department of Digital Media at Hong Kong Design Institute, where outstanding students will be selected to participate in hands-on projects at Digital Domain'sShanghaistudio. With expertise in art tech, visual effects, and animation production, these selected interns will work alongside professional artists and engineers at Digital Domain. This includes assisting the team in project testing, leveraging AI tools to unleash creativity, and supporting aiding in the design and execution of related projects, thereby gaining frontline experience and enhancing practical skills.

Mr. Lam Wai Keung, stated:"At this pivotal stage where AI technology is reshaping smart living around the world, it is critical to cultivate talent equipped with both technological skills and creativity. We are committed to creating a learning environment that is rich in creativity, energy, and cutting-edge technology. We are pleased that Digital Domain is providing our students with a practical platform through this internship program. This opportunity not only enables them to gain professional knowledge and skills, but also unlocks their creative potential in technology, helping to drive innovation in the future of digital content development."

Beyond its collaboration with educators from higher education institutions inHong Kong, Digital Domain has expanded its efforts to Mainland China by establishing industry–academia–research bases. Together, we have created mutual visits and training programs aimed at nurturing future talent and strengthening collaboration between industry, academia, and research. Recently, Digital Domain has also partnered with Anhui Institute of Information Technology to launch a video creation training camp, focused on cultivating talents and providing employment opportunities through a series of activities.

Mr.William Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Domain, stated:"The integration of industry, academia, and research constitutes a vital pathway for nurturing creative talents and developing future technology leaders. In the current rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, AI-powered education has emerged as a prominent trend. Digital Domain is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of innovative talent and advancing interdisciplinary expertise. Our objective is to expedite the intelligent evolution and efficiency of creative workflows, explore new possibilities, and persist in driving innovation and technological advancement."

About Digital Domain

Digital Domain is a pioneer in creating transportive experiences. After more than three decades of evolution, the company has transitioned from itsHollywoodorigins to achieve global expansion in areas such as Visual Effects (VFX), AI Virtual Humans, and Visualization technologies. Digital Domain boasts a rich legacy, having contributed to hundreds of films and television series, thousands of commercials, game graphics, and experimental immersive experiences. Some of its most notable accomplishments include winning Academy Awards for"Best Visual Effects"for films likeTitanic,What Dreams May Come, andThe Curious Case ofBenjamin Button, as well as contributing to blockbuster classics such asThe Avengersseries, and the fourth season of the popular seriesStranger Things.

Digital Domain has charted a pioneering course into the realms of AI and virtual reality since 2016, revolutionizing the creation of emotionally expressive and photorealistic virtual humans in real-time. The company's AI Virtual Human technology is widely applicable across diverse sectors such as healthcare, elderly service, training and education, concierge service, BFSI, the public sector, entertainment etc. It enhances service efficiency, user experience, and business value.

Since establishing the R&D Center at Hong Kong Science Park in Q4 2024, Digital Domain has been actively collaborating with industry partners, universities, and research institutions to explore opportunities in AI development and digital transformation.

Digital Domain is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock code: 547) and is headquartered inHong Kong. The company operates in multiple cities, includingLos Angeles,Vancouver,Montreal,Beijing,Shanghai,Hyderabad, and more.

For more information, visit the official website –www.digitaldomain.com.

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SOURCE Digital Domain