On 12 December 2025, with support from the Education Bureau, the Institute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education and the Hong Kong Special Schools Council jointly organized the 2025 International Conference on Special Education at EdUHK. The officiating guests of the conference included Dr. Choi Yuk-lin, JP, Secretary for Education of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr. He Jinhui, Division Chief of the Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Professor Fredrick Ma, Permanent Honorary President of the Hong Kong Special Schools Council; and Professor John Lee, President of EdUHK.
The conference centered on the theme “Embracing the Future: Advancing Special Education with Artificial Intelligence” and featured keynote addresses by scholars from overseas, Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong, sharing the latest developments in special education and artificial intelligence. Experts from China, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Finland and Singapore contributed diverse international perspectives. Local frontline educators and technology practitioners engaged in sharing sessions on “Technology Empowerment,” “Smart Education,” and “Unlocking Potential,” elaborating on ways to foster holistic student learning. It brought together over 2,000 principals, teachers, prospective teachers, therapists and organizations partners in special education took part in the event. In addition, the conference featured a thematic exhibition showcasing special projects developed by special schools and related organizations, offering participants a rich and inspiring experience. In summarizing the conference outcomes, Professor Kenneth Sin, the Chair, highlighted that over the past decade, many special schools in Hong Kong have proactively launched innovative, technology‑driven initiatives that have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of teaching and learning in special education, yielding remarkable results. Looking ahead, with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, together with the Education Bureau’s policy and resource support, professional teacher training, and collaboration with partner organizations, the goals of this conference “Embracing the Future: Advancing Special Education with Artificial Intelligence” will surely be realized, benefiting students with special educational needs and fostering a more inclusive digital society.”