AI Meets Chinese New Year: Tradition and Innovation in Harmony
AI 遇上中国年：传统新潮两相欢

Wednesday 18 February 2026
13:00-14:00
The Auditorium, McClay Library



Speaker:
Xing HE (何星) is currently a Mandarin teacher at Chinese Language School, N.I. She holds MA degree in Tourism Management from University Technology Sydney, Australia. She previously worked in China as English tour guide/leader with China Travel Service, Zhejiang Corporation, and lecturer on tourism-related courses in Tourism College of Zhejiang. She has been working in the international tourism sector with a focus on cultural and tourism exchange.

Abstract:
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is China’s most important festival, centred on family reunion and good wishes for the new beginning. Some of its traditional activities include preparing Laba Porridge, decorating with red symbols, family feasts, and temple visits. The talk shows how AI is transforming these traditions, from improving food preparation and reducing waste, to offering personalised health recommendations and supporting smarter shopping, travel, and dining arrangements. It also highlights how AI is increasingly used in areas such as healthcare, transport, tourism, and festive event management, as well as in offline experiences like smart shopping centres and digital cultural tours. Looking to the future, the talk considers new possibilities including AI-supported sustainability and digital community support. Overall, it argues that AI does not replace tradition, but enhances it—making Chinese New Year celebrations more efficient, sustainable, and personalised while preserving their cultural meaning.