Hong Kong Startup Pons.ai Uses AI to Create Personalized Digital Avatars for Brands and Events
Image Source: Pon.ai @IG
Pons.ai, a Hong Kong-based startup founded by Kelvin Tang, is using artificial intelligence to generate personalized digital avatars, offering brands and consumers a new way to engage with creative technology. The company’s AI-driven platform reflects the growing demand for custom digital experiences in Hong Kong’s active tech and art scene.
AI-Driven Art Creation at Pons.ai
Pons.ai employs advanced AI models—including Stable Diffusion—to generate digital avatars tailored to user-defined parameters such as style and theme. The service enables customers to create unique digital portraits for corporate events or personal use. The platform features a user-friendly interface designed for accessibility, requiring no technical skills from clients. According to the South China Morning Post and Tech in Asia, Pons.ai’s AI photo booth software generated nearly US$500,000 in revenue during the past financial year and served clients at over 85 events worldwide, including trade shows and product launches.
Pons.ai’s Origins and Hong Kong’s AI Ecosystem
Founded by Kelvin Tang, a tech entrepreneur with expertise in both AI and creative industries, Pons.ai is based in Hong Kong Science Park—an established hub for technology startups. The company’s growth aligns with Hong Kong’s broader ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. In February 2025, the Hong Kong government announced a HK$1 billion (about US$128 million) investment to establish a new AI research institute, supporting innovation and attracting talent in the sector.
Benefits and Challenges of AI Art
AI-generated art, as produced by Pons.ai, offers scalability and cost-effectiveness, enabling businesses to deliver personalized experiences quickly and affordably. This approach democratizes access to custom digital visuals, reducing dependence on expensive traditional commissions. However, some Hong Kong artists and critics, caution that AI-generated works may not match the emotional depth or creative intention found in human-made art.
Data privacy also emerges as a significant concern. Since AI art services often require users to upload personal photos, there are questions about how this data is handled and protected. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in Hong Kong noted in May 2025 that fewer than 30% of organizations in Hong Kong have established AI-related data privacy guidelines for staff, highlighting an industry-wide need for more robust protections.
The AI Art Market and Pons.ai’s Future
The global market for AI-generated art continues to grow, fuelled by demand for innovative, personalized digital products. In Hong Kong, government investments to boost supercomputing and attract AI talent are expected to benefit startups like Pons.ai.
However, Pons.ai also faces challenges. There is increasing competition from established AI art platforms, and ongoing ethical and legal questions remain—especially concerning data privacy and copyright. An article in the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice notes that many jurisdictions, including the United States, currently do not grant copyright protection to AI-generated works unless there is significant human input, leaving legal protection for such digital art unresolved.
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