The generative AI wave is surging, and it's no longer the domain of tech elites—it’s something every working professional must now confront.
"The distance between you and AI is just a cup of coffee."
On June 7, 2025, Keith Li, President of the Wireless Technology Industry Association, gave an inspiring guest lecture at PolyU SPEED to students of the AI-Driven Digital and Social Media Marketing program. His opening line cut straight to the point, setting the tone for the entire session.
Free AI? It Works, But Only So Far
There are plenty of free AI tools on the market, but as Keith bluntly said: "Free tools are just toys; paid ones are weapons. You wouldn’t take a plastic knife to a battlefield." The room erupted in laughter, but everyone got the message.
He asked the students, “Who here subscribes to Poe or ChatGPT?” Only three students raised their hands. Keith responded, “That’s two different worlds.”
He added, “Most people think AI isn’t useful—not because it lacks capability, but because they’ve never tried a full version.”
If you’re not even willing to spend the price of a coffee, how can you expect AI to deliver full power?
Take Poe as an example: For as little as HK$39 a month, the starter plan on Poe gives you access to GPT-4o, Claude 3, and Gemini 1.5—top-tier AI models. These paid tools outperform their free counterparts in speed, accuracy, and overall capabilities. Sticking with the free version is like playing an RPG with beginner gear—you’ll never experience what legendary items can do.
AI Isn’t Smart—But It Can Make You Smarter
Throughout the lecture, Keith repeated a core message: AI isn’t smart—it’s useful.
He said it plainly: “AI is just a writing machine, an image machine, an information machine—it can’t reason, doesn’t remember what you said before, and often pretends to be smarter than it is.” And yet, precisely because AI isn’t intelligent, it won’t replace you—but those who know how to use it will.
Don’t Learn More Tools—Learn Fewer, Better
With so many AI tools out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But Keith’s advice was clear:
Learn fewer tools, but learn them well.
Many students think mastering more tools makes them better, but in reality, they spread themselves too thin. Instead of ten shallow tools, he recommended mastering just one or two—like Poe, Perplexity, or Copilot. Use them daily. Build prompt-thinking habits. Once you’re fluent, AI can help you write reports, generate designs, handle customer responses, and analyze data.
Real-World Use: How Students Can Apply It
After the theory, Keith launched into practical demonstrations to show just how helpful AI can be. He showed how ChatGPT could revise business tender documents, write reference letters for interns, or reply to HR emails—proving AI isn’t abstract; it’s workplace-ready.
He also demonstrated generating social media content—both captions and images—just by using prompts. No design skills needed. He showed how AI could analyze financial reports, summarize data, translate multilingual content—all instantly. Students were visibly stunned, realizing how much tedious work AI could offload, saving time and increasing output.
His most jaw-dropping quote? “90% of the content you see online wasn’t written by humans.” From LinkedIn posts to IG captions to brand replies—AI is quietly becoming the real engine behind the scenes.
To Adapt, You Need to Lead Your Own Transformation
The real challenge with AI isn’t technical—it’s behavioral. Keith reminded the class: learning generative AI isn’t about mastering flashy tools, but building daily habits. Ask AI for help whenever there’s a task. Let it become your second brain.
In today’s workplace, those who use AI don’t just work faster—they redefine their roles. They move from executors to strategists.
For working professionals, transformation is no longer optional—it’s survival. You can wait until your company tells you to learn AI. Or you can take the lead, upskill yourself, and boost your value now. Those who fall behind won’t be the inexperienced—but the unwilling.
Final Thoughts: If You’re Not Using AI, You’re Already Behind
Keith closed the lecture with this reminder: AI won’t do your job for you—but it’ll help you do it ten times faster.
He summed it up perfectly: “An average person with AI can become great; a great person with AI can become legendary. But if you’re average and don’t know how to use AI—you’re in trouble.”
So what about you? If you’re not even willing to spend the price of a coffee, how do you expect AI to help you? Why not try it today?
Appendix: Coffee Price Comparison in Hong Kong (HK$35–HK$45)
As a true coffee lover, we had to verify just how much a typical cup of coffee costs in Hong Kong today. Here’s a consolidated reference list (via Felo Search):
| Café | Coffee Type | Price (HKD) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOC Roastery | Latte, Americano, Cappuccino | $38–$42 | Specialty café |
| 18 Grams | Latte, Americano, Flat White | $38–$45 | Specialty café |
| Knockbox Coffee | Hand-drip, Espresso | $40–$45 | Specialty café |
| Winstons Coffee | Flat White, Cappuccino | $40–$45 | Specialty café |
| Accro Coffee | Siphon, Drip Brew | $40–$45 | Specialty café |
| Starbucks | Americano (Tall) | $35–$39 | Chain café |
| Starbucks | Latte / Cappuccino (Tall) | $39–$45 | Chain café |
| Starbucks | Fresh Milk Coffee | $40.5–$45 | Chain café |
| Luckin Coffee | Americano, Latte | $39 | Chain café |
| Luckin Coffee | Coconut Latte | $42 | Chain café |
| McCafé | Latte (Tall) | $26.5 | Chain café, budget |
*Compiled using Felo Search and menu listings from local cafes
— Dr. Ken FONG
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