What might an anthropologist make of artificial intelligence if he approached it as an unfamiliar tribe? That question framed an SCMP Plus fireside chat with Professor Alan Macfarlane at The Center in Central, Hong Kong, on October 26. Speaking with SCMP senior AI technology reporter Vincent Chow, Macfarlane explored how AI changes knowledge creation and sharing, and what distinguishes its capabilities from human experience. An emeritus professor of anthropological science at the University of...

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Win for Lula boosts China’s foothold and gives Brazil rare earths leverage Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s re-election preserves Beijing’s most critical foothold in Latin America, while positioning Brasilia to leverage...

A matter of identity By Christopher Wood This article was first published on October 31, 1981 The passage of the British Nationality Bill through Parliament has proved an emotional issue for Hongkong, sparking off fears that the Colony is sliding into political limbo. As Hongkong-born British subjects lost their right of residence in the United Kingdom back in 1962, the strength of feeling against the legislation has surprised many, including probably the British Government. But such a view...

In 1933, Jeanne Toussaint was appointed creative director of Cartier, and the wildly influential designer set about cementing the noble panther’s role as the indelible emblem of the storied Parisian jeweller that it remains to this day. Two years later, in Hong Kong, legendary entrepreneur Aw Boon Haw finished the construction of Haw Par Mansion, now known as Villa Haw Par, the magnificent East-meets-West edifice in Tai Hang that is also a showcase for the allure of big cats, complete with the...

Hong Kong is still healing from the trauma of the Wang Fuk Court fire that claimed 168 lives nearly a year ago. The difficult process has been taken a step further with the release of the final report of an independent committee of inquiry led by a High Court judge, and the response of the government, revealed on Thursday by the city’s leader and his administration. The concept of accountability has hung heavily over proceedings. It is only natural after such a catastrophe for people to expect...