Welcome Messages At some point during your time in the School of Humanities and Social Science (SHSS) – whether in your first week on campus or as you enter your final year – someone has likely asked you: “With AI advancing so fast, why are you studying humanities and social science? What are you going to do with that degree?” If an algorithm can draft essays, analyze datasets, and generate code in seconds, what are we all doing here? Consider a classic logic puzzle: even an omnipotent being cannot create a round square, simply because omnipotence cannot perform what is logically impossible. By that exact same logic, no matter how capable AI becomes, it can never, logically, be you. AI runs on statistical patterns and probabilities; you run on lived experience, genuine curiosity, and moral judgment. Whether you are just beginning your university journey or preparing for life after graduation, two timeless principles remain your best guide: 1. Know Thyself: Recognize your unique voice, your values, and your personal strengths – qualities no algorithm can replicate. 2. Know the World: Understand how human societies, institutions, and cultures truly function. As Sun Tzu famously put it: “Know yourself and know your counterpart, and you will win a hundred battles.” Thriving in an automated world is never about racing against machines; it is about cultivating your irreplaceable human spark while learning how the real world works. Wishing you all an inspiring, productive, and meaningful semester ahead! Professor James WONG Associate Dean (UG) and GCS Program Director 1
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