Hong Kong — At just 17 years old, Chow Sze-lok has demonstrated how empathy, determination, and innovation can come together to create powerful change. The Hong Kong student has developed KidAID, an artificial intelligence system designed to detect early signs of child abuse — an invention that is now gaining international recognition.

Armed with nothing more than a 12-year-old laptop and the encouragement of her school team, Chow set out to tackle one of society’s most difficult problems: the silent suffering of children in care. Traditional supervision methods often fail to recognize the subtle signs of abuse, but KidAID aims to fill this gap.

The system analyzes CCTV footage in real time, identifying behavioral and emotional cues that may suggest a child is in distress. These include anxious posture, sudden flinching, repeated isolation, and even distressed voices. If concerning patterns are detected, KidAID immediately sends an alert to supervisors, giving them the chance to intervene before further harm occurs.

Chow said she was motivated by the many heartbreaking cases in which abuse was left unnoticed until it was too late. “I wanted to build something that ensures children feel safe in the places where they should be cared for,” she explained.

Her innovation has already drawn international praise. In 2024, KidAID was awarded the bronze medal at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, one of the world’s most prestigious showcases of new technologies. The system is now undergoing pilot testing abroad, signaling the potential for broader adoption in child protection services.

Experts note that while no system can replace human judgment, AI tools like KidAID could become valuable allies in safeguarding vulnerable children. By offering real-time monitoring and early warnings, such technology may help prevent abuse cases that would otherwise remain invisible.

Chow’s achievement highlights not only the promise of AI in social good, but also the power of youth innovation. Her work serves as a reminder that solutions to global problems can come from the most unexpected places — even from a teenager armed with compassion and an old laptop.

KidAID’s success marks an important step forward in the intersection of technology and child protection, proving that the next generation is already shaping a safer future.