Payment Asia Celebrates AI Art Competition with Student Showcase

The 2nd Generative AI Art Creation Competition, titled “Words as Brushstrokes – Poetry in Motion,” concluded on January 22, 2026, with an exhibition and awards ceremony held at the Leung Kwan Yick Yau Ma Tei Community Centre in Hong Kong. Organized by DigiGear and sponsored by Payment Asia, this event showcased the innovative intersection of art and technology, featuring the creative works of over 2,000 students who interpreted classical poetry through artificial intelligence.

Payment Asia is dedicated to fostering local innovation and encouraging the integration of art and technology. During the ceremony, Tanya Yeung, Sales Director for Hong Kong at Payment Asia, presented awards and expressed the company’s commitment to nurturing talent in both the arts and STEM fields. The competition saw participation from more than 240 primary and secondary schools, reflecting a significant expansion from its inaugural edition.

This year’s theme continued to emphasize the creation of AI-generated works based on classical Chinese poetry, utilizing “Art-Tech” as a means of guiding students in their artistic endeavors. For the first time, an AI video creation category was introduced, which encouraged participants to merge dynamic imagery with poetry, enhancing the exploration of creativity.

Celebrating Student Creativity and Innovation

The event featured a series of awards segmented by educational levels, allowing primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary school students to receive recognition for their outstanding contributions. The public exhibition attracted educators, parents, and art enthusiasts eager to experience how students transformed poetic themes into vibrant visual representations using AI technology.

Notable guests included Dr. Tian Liang, a Council Member of the Hong Kong STEAM Education Association, and Ms. Sharon Guan, Founder of LAFAVEUR and Deputy Director of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Textiles. They engaged with students and attendees, discussing the evolving relationship between culture, creativity, and technology.

Ms. Yeung remarked, “Payment Asia has long been committed to supporting the development and application of artificial intelligence technology. We firmly believe that technology is a vital force driving social innovation. Our sponsorship of the ‘Words as Brushstrokes’ competition aims to encourage the younger generation to boldly embrace AI tools, combining profound cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology to create artistic expressions unique to this era.”

DigiGear’s Eric Suen stated, “We launched the ‘Words as Brushstrokes’ competition to provide a platform for students to freely explore the creative potential of AI. By integrating classical poetry with generative AI, we have witnessed not only the new vitality technology brings to traditional culture but also the boundless creativity of Hong Kong students in merging humanities and technology.”

Impact on Education and the Arts

The exhibition’s schedule was structured to maximize engagement, with the primary school awards ceremony commencing at 10:30 AM, followed by an exhibition session. Junior and senior secondary school ceremonies took place in the afternoon, interspersed with public viewing opportunities that allowed attendees to appreciate the diverse creative outputs.

As artificial intelligence technology continues to permeate educational practices, this competition exemplified how students can showcase their creativity while also exploring new realms within STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. The initiative signifies a pivotal moment for cultural arts education in Hong Kong, illuminating the possibilities that arise when technology and the humanities converge.

The success of “Words as Brushstrokes” not only highlights the innovative spirit of young artists but also underscores the importance of fostering a supportive environment for creativity and technological advancement in education.