News Coverage Update: DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth Is Gaining Global Attention

We are excited to share another milestone for RIVRT: our new book, DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications (CRC Press, 1st Edition, Copyright 2026) has been picked up by multiple news outlets and is quickly gaining viral attention online.

Co-authored by Dr. Olive K. L. Woo (clinical psychologist) and Dr. Yuk Ming Tang (AI expert; Principal Investigator of RIVRT), the book examines how AI tools such as DeepSeek can provide scalable, culturally sensitive emotional support—while also highlighting critical risks, ethical concerns, and policy implications for responsible adoption in mental health care.

DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications

1) Bioengineer.org (Feb 16, 2026)
Bioengineer published a dedicated feature on how AI innovations like DeepSeek could revolutionize emotional and mental health support for Chinese youth—discussing stigma, access barriers, 24/7 availability, privacy concerns, and the importance of human oversight in AI-assisted care.
Link: https://bioengineer.org/how-ai-innovations-like-deepseek-are-revolutionizing-emotional-and-mental-health-support-for-chinese-youth/#google_vignette

2) RamaOnHealthcare (via Medical Xpress / Taylor & Francis) (Feb 15, 2026)
RamaOnHealthcare amplified a Medical Xpress/Taylor & Francis news piece summarizing the book’s core message: Chinese youth face a growing mental health crisis, and AI tools like DeepSeek may become an accessible “lifeline”—if implemented with care and responsibility.
Link: https://ramaonhealthcare.com/how-ai-tools-like-deepseek-are-transforming-emotional-and-mental-health-care-of-chinese-youth/

3) GeneOnline
GeneOnline also covered the book’s focus on how AI technologies like DeepSeek may help address rising mental health challenges among Chinese youth, extending the discussion to broader public-health relevance and the need for responsible deployment.
Link: https://www.geneonline.com/ai-technologies-like-deepseek-address-rising-mental-health-challenges-among-chinese-youth/

4) Medical Xpress
Medical Xpress published coverage highlighting the book’s themes: the “silent epidemic,” the role of AI-driven emotional support, and the balance between innovation and ethical safeguards.
Link: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-ai-tools-deepseek-emotional-mental.html#google_vignette

5) EurekAlert
EurekAlert! has published an official news release (Taylor & Francis Group) covering our book DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications and the wider discussion around AI-driven emotional support for young people in China.
Link: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1115440

If you’d like to explore the book, view its table of contents, or share it with colleagues and students.
🛒 Available now from Routledge:
👉 Order the book here

New Book Release | DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications

We are proud to announce the release of DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications, co-authored by our Principal Investigator, Ir. Dr. Yuk Ming Tang, in collaboration with clinical psychologist Dr. Olive K. L. Woo.

Published by CRC Press, this timely book offers a unique interdisciplinary perspective on the growing intersection of AI technology and mental health intervention in modern China. It explores how tools like DeepSeek—an emerging AI-driven emotional support system—are transforming the landscape of adolescent mental health care, and provides vital analysis of ethical concerns, social implications, and future directions of AI in mental wellness.

🔍 Key Highlights of the Book:

  • A critical discussion of the mental health crisis among Chinese youth, including societal taboos and systemic obstacles.
  • Real-life case studies showing how the DeepSeek AI has been applied in practice.
  • In-depth insights into the technological underpinnings of DeepSeek and its potential to complement traditional mental health services.
  • Exploration of ethical, regulatory, and policy issues surrounding AI-based emotional support.
  • Practical guidelines for integrating AI into healthcare responsibly.
DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth: Use Cases, Risks, and Broader Implications

🛒 Available now from Routledge (PRE-ORDER: Ships after Feb. 16, 2026):
👉 Order the book here

Whether you’re a mental health professional, policymaker, AI researcher, or public health advocate, this book is an essential read for understanding the complex nexus of technology and human care.


Stay tuned with RIVRT as we explore transformative solutions at the intersection of intelligence, empathy, and technology.

Congratulations to Ir. Dr. Yuk Ming Tang – Named 2024 Top Scholar by ScholarGPS!

We are delighted to announce that Ir. Dr. Yuk Ming Tang, Principal Investigator of the Research in Intelligence and Virtual Reality Technology (RIVRT) team, has been recognized as a 2024 Top Scholar by ScholarGPS — a prestigious global AI-powered academic ranking platform.

This highly competitive distinction places Dr. Tang within the top 0.5% of scholars worldwide, based on the totality of his scholarly contributions, including research productivity, impact, and citation quality. ScholarGPS evaluated over 30 million scholar profiles across all disciplines to determine these rankings.

🏆 Top Scholar Rankings (Past 5 Years):

  • #12,597 Overall (All Fields)
  • #5,179 in Engineering and Computer Science
  • #82 in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
  • #28 in Mixed Reality
  • #175 in Virtual Reality

These rankings recognize Dr. Tang’s pioneering research in virtual/mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and digital twin technologies, especially in their applications to Industry 4.0 and healthcare. His work continues to influence both academic and applied sectors, advancing knowledge in immersive technologies, sustainable innovations, and AI-driven system designs.

This recognition is an incredible milestone for RIVRT and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s broader research community. It highlights the global impact and relevance of Dr. Tang’s work and the excellence of the interdisciplinary collaborations fostered under his leadership.

👏 Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement and in thanking Dr. Tang for his continuous inspiration and contributions to the field!

🔗 Learn more about ScholarGPS: www.scholargps.com


#RIVRT #TopScholar2024 #ScholarGPS #VR #MixedReality #AI #DigitalTwin #ResearchExcellence #PolyU #IrDrYMTang #GlobalRecognition

ISE Students Win Merit Prize in Innovation & IT at the 11th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition!

We are proud to share that a brilliant student team—supervised by Ir. Dr. Yuk Ming Tang, Principal Investigator of RIVRT—has won the Merit Prize in the Information Technology category at the 11th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (2025)! 🎉

The award-winning project, titled 「讀寫易AI」DyslexAI, leverages artificial intelligence to support children with dyslexia by providing highly accurate, personalized training through an intelligent platform. The system achieves an impressive 99.5% classification accuracy using deep learning models (CNN) and multi-modal data analysis, offering a non-invasive and effective way to enhance learning outcomes, especially for those with special educational needs.

The Award Ceremony
Team photo with the supervisor Ir. Dr. YM Tang (the 2nd from the right, 2nd row)
Team photo of DyslexAI

👏 Congratulations to the talented team members:

  • Leo Matthias STURM (ISE)
  • Yin Zifu Ivy (ISE)
  • Lau Ho Wai Justin (ISE)
  • Fung Yik Hei
  • Ho Tsz Ming
  • Ko Tsun Ming

This achievement would not have been possible without the expert guidance of Ir. Dr. YM Tang, whose research expertise in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and educational technology continues to inspire the next generation of innovators. Dr. Tang’s mentorship has played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s interdisciplinary approach and impactful innovation.

🧠🔍 The competition, organized by HK Challenge Plus and supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission, is one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious platforms for student innovation. This recognition is a powerful testament to RIVRT’s mission to create transformative, socially meaningful technologies.

Justin (Left), Supervisor Ir. Dr. YM Tang (Right)

Lau Ho Wai Justin, one of the team member

Project Description Board for “DyslexAI”

📸 Check out the project display and award certificate above!
🌐 Learn more: HK Challenge Plus Official Website


#RIVRT #PolyU #ISE #DyslexAI #HKChallengePlus #Innovation #AI #InclusiveTechnology #StudentSuccess #InfoTech #EdTech #創新創業大賽 #資訊科技優異獎

Jump@MingPao – Featuring PolyU’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering

We are excited to share that Jump@MingPao has featured The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) in their recent article. The feature highlights the department’s comprehensive undergraduate curriculum revamp, which aims to cultivate the next generation of innovation-driven, problem-solving leaders equipped to face the challenges of Industry 4.0.

In the article, Dr. Tang Yuk Ming, Senior Lecturer and Supervisor at PolyU’s Integrated Product Design Laboratory, shares insights on the essential skills that modern industrial engineers need, from mastering AI and robotics to integrating IoT and big data into production processes. The article also showcases the department’s efforts to provide immersive learning experiences through cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality (VR), CAVE systems, and the metaverse.

We are proud of the recognition PolyU’s ISE department has received and are grateful to Jump@MingPao for the opportunity to showcase the innovative strides being made in engineering education.

Thank you again to Jump@MingPao for this wonderful feature! You can read the full article here.

For more information on PolyU’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, visit their official website: www.polyu.edu.hk/ise.

IPD Lab Visit for Tuen Mun Catholic Secondary School

The Integrated Product Design (IPD) Laboratory hosted a visit from students of Tuen Mun Catholic Secondary School. This visit was organized to provide hands-on experience and insight into the various aspects of integrated product design.

Highlights of the Visit:

The students and teachers expressed great enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunity to visit the IPD Lab. The hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge technology were particularly well-received.

Ir. Dr. YM Tang and Our Research Team to Presented at DSD R&D Forum 2023

Ir. Dr. Tang presenting on the project at the DSD R&D Forum 2023
Ir. Dr. Tang presenting on the project at the DSD R&D Forum 2023
Ir. Dr. Tang presenting on the project at the DSD R&D Forum 2023
Ir. Dr. Tang as the speaker in DSD R&D Forum 2023
Ir. Prof. Yung, Associate Head and Chair Professor (ISE), as the speaker in DSD R&D Forum 2023

We are delighted to report that our research team, spearheaded by Principal Investigator Ir. Dr. Yuk Ming Tang, had an impactful presence at the DSD Research & Development Forum 2023. Organised by the Drainage Services Department (DSD), the event took place on November 14, 2023, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Dr. Tang shared insightful findings on the topic “Intelligent Non-invasive Structural Health Inspection System for Multi-part Covers.” This presentation perfectly aligned with the forum’s theme, “Thinking Outside the Pipes: Exploring Alternative Approaches to Stormwater and Wastewater Management.”

The forum presentation revolved around a critical issue in Hong Kong: the costly and disruptive process of inspecting multi-part covers installed on large drains, chambers, and box culverts across main roads. Conventional inspection methods, including the use of robots, face limitations due to the variable configurations and distances of piping/channels from entry ports.

The project proposed a non-invasive inspection method that leverages state-of-the-art AI technologies to identify acoustic emissions from problematic multi-part covers against environmental and traffic noises. The result is a cost-effective, low-disruption solution for inspecting structures beneath multi-part covers, reducing the impact on traffic flow.

(From the left) Dr. Noman, Dr. Zhong, Dr. Chen, Ir. Dr. Tang, Mr. Lam, Mr. Tang
(From the left) Dr. Zhong, Ir. Dr. Tang, Dr. Chen, Dr. Noman

In addition to Ir. Dr. Tang, the team’s postdoctoral researchers, Dr. Junping ZHONG, Dr. Lerui CHEN, and Dr. Abdullah Al Noman, other project researchers, Mr. Sam Lam, Mr. Kelvin Tang, Ruby CHAN, also presented at the forum. They made significant contributions to the project and played integral parts in its success.

We are thrilled to have shared this innovative research at the DSD R&D Forum 2023 and look forward to providing more updates on our progress and reflections on our team’s contributions.