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The power of reading
Hailey Chiu Wing-ching, Pope Paul VI College
I am writing in response to the article “Olympic swimmer Siobhan Haughey shares why AI can’t replace lessons learned from reading”.
As a secondary student who often feels pressured by grades and technology, reading this felt like a breath of fresh air.
While AI can summarise facts instantly, it is only when we read thoroughly that we truly learn to feel. When Haughey described rooting for a character in a book who stole a car, I realised that stories teach us empathy. Isn’t it true that we often see the world in shades of grey, rather than black and white? This is something no algorithm can fully grasp.
Moreover, I strongly agree that reading shapes our identity. I have taken personality tests and felt boxed in by the results. However, after reading about different lives and struggles, I have come to see myself as constantly growing – not fixed. Books allow us to try on various roles safely; they are like mirrors and windows at the same time.
While AI is helpful, it cannot replace the emotional journey that reading offers. Let us not outsource our thinking or our feelings to machines. I urge my fellow students to pick up a book – not for a test, but for themselves.
Cricket in Hong Kong
Praveen Sathappan Narayanan, Island School
At the Hong Kong Sixes last year, Hong Kong won the plate finals – the competition between the losing quarter-final teams.
In the 1840s, cricket was largely unfamiliar in Hong Kong. However, following British colonisation, the sport gradually became part of the city’s culture. The Hong Kong Cricket Club, the first cricket club in the city, was established in 1851. Despite being introduced to cricket at an early stage, Hong Kong did not join the International Cricket Council until 1969.
During the 2018-19 financial year, there were 1,401 registered club cricketers in Hong Kong, comprising 607 senior players and 794 youth players, according to a report by Cricket Hong Kong.
As a youth player myself, I see cricket’s popularity rising in Hong Kong. During my time at the Hong Kong Sixes 2025, I was amazed by the packed stadium at the venue in Mong Kok, as I saw Hong Kong’s superstar Aizaz Khan hit 85 runs in a mere 21 balls.
There are 31 pitches run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and more than 12 private pitches in the city. As I move forward with my cricket journey, I hope to see more cricketers in Hong Kong.
Generative AI dilemma
Gwyneth Chung Ni-fu, Kowloon True Light School
For centuries, art has been part and parcel of our lives. But today, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is upending everything we know. By learning from millions of online images, AI can generate “art” in response to simple keywords. This raises a profound question: Is it really art?
Let me share my story. It was 11.58pm, just minutes before a competition deadline. After weeks of hard work, I submitted my piece. Later, I saw my friend’s name among the winners. When I asked to see her artwork, I learned AI made it. She spent 10 minutes putting in a prompt; I spent 10 hours on a canvas. It felt deeply unfair that a machine’s quick creation overshadowed my effort.
If you were in my shoes, you’d be frustrated too. Even masters like Hayao Miyazaki spend years on a single film, yet AI can mimic his unique style in seconds.
To me, this isn’t real art. Art requires mistakes and practice.
There is also the issue of “scraping”, which uses artists’ work without permission to train these models.
I urge you to pick up a brush or a pen and create something, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard. By engaging in the beautiful process of human creativity, we can protect the future of art.
Nature’s vital connection
Rachael Wong Ka-hei, Pope Paul VI College
I was captivated by the recent article highlighting the exhibition “Impressions, Expressions – Feeling and Depicting Nature” at the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Hong Kong.
This initiative encourages residents to pause and truly appreciate Hong Kong’s native flora.
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, it is essential to reconnect with nature.
This exhibition ingeniously combined art and science and was able to deepen our understanding of the vital role these plants play in our ecosystem.
The emphasis on native species not only showcases the unique biodiversity of our region but also raises awareness about the threats these plants face.
Our fascination with plants can foster a desire to protect and conserve them.
By immersing ourselves in the beauty and complexity of these species, we can build a stronger, more harmonious relationship between humanity and nature.
Let’s take the time to look around and truly see the wonders of our natural environment.
