Sound Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SOGP), a global AI-powered audio technology company, is investing in the future of artificial intelligence through education. The company announced the creation of the HKUST(GZ) Information Hub – LIZHI Innovation Talent Scholarship, established through a donation from one of its subsidiaries to The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) [HKUST(GZ)].
The scholarship aims to empower top students specializing in AI and data science, offering opportunities to participate in research, internships, and innovation projects. It’s a move designed to bridge academia and industry—connecting theoretical breakthroughs with real-world applications in voice AI, intelligent audio processing, and large audio models.
Building the Next Generation of AI Talent
Through this partnership, Sound Group seeks to establish a co-creation platform between enterprises and emerging innovators, reinforcing China’s and Hong Kong’s growing role in global AI research and talent development.
“Innovation and talent are the two core driving forces behind AI development,” said Jinnan (Marco) Lai, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Sound Group. “By collaborating with HKUST(GZ), a world-class institution known for its research excellence, we’re investing in the next generation of AI leaders—and strengthening the foundation for future breakthroughs in voice AI.”
Lai added that the scholarship underscores Sound Group’s long-term corporate social responsibility commitment and strategic investment in cultivating top-tier AI talent to sustain the company’s global growth trajectory.
Where Academia Meets Industry Innovation
Hosted by the HKUST(GZ) Information Hub, the scholarship program will recognize exceptional students and encourage hands-on exploration of AI and data science frontiers. For Sound Group, the initiative goes beyond philanthropy—it aligns directly with the company’s AI-driven growth strategy and supports its broader vision of fusing academic insight with applied technology.
With years of R&D experience, Sound Group has built a full-stack voice AI ecosystem, encompassing:
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Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)
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Natural Language Understanding (NLU)
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Text-to-Speech (TTS)
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Intelligent Voice Interaction
These capabilities power the company’s growing portfolio of AI-native audio products, continuously refined through rapid iteration and deployment.
Strengthening the AI Innovation Flywheel
The launch of the LIZHI Innovation Talent Scholarship represents a strategic milestone in Sound Group’s mission to accelerate AI innovation and nurture global tech talent. By integrating research, education, and commercial application, the company aims to deepen its presence in the intelligent audio and digital economy ecosystem.
In an era where AI talent shortages are increasingly seen as the bottleneck to progress, Sound Group’s initiative signals a forward-looking approach—investing in both people and technology to ensure that the next wave of AI innovation has the expertise it needs to thrive.
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