WOW Summit HongKong 2025

On September 9, 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at WOW Summit Hong Kong 2025. The event brought together global leaders, innovators, and practitioners in AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies. It was my first time speaking at this summit, and the energy, diversity, and forward-looking discussions made it a truly unforgettable experience.

My Session: Advanced – Cost-Effective Generative AI with Azure AI Foundry

I presented an advanced-level session titled: “Cost-Effective Generative AI: Optimizing Workflows on Azure AI Foundry.”

Generative AI has transformed industries, but one of the biggest challenges that organizations face is cost management. Deploying large models, running workloads at scale, and handling unpredictable usage can quickly lead to budget concerns. My session focused on practical strategies to tackle exactly this challenge.

Here’s what I covered:

• Model Selection: Choosing the right-sized model for the task, instead of defaulting to the largest available option.

• Caching Strategies: Reducing redundant calls to models with smart caching layers.

• Token-Efficient Prompts: Designing prompt structures that cut down token usage without compromising output quality.

• Load Balancing: Optimizing workloads across endpoints and regions for efficiency and reliability.

• Leveraging Open-Source Models: Running fine-tuned open-source models inside Azure AI Foundry to balance performance with cost.

The audience was a mix of technical practitioners, business leaders, and researchers—many of whom resonated with the need to balance innovation with sustainability. The Q&A session was particularly engaging, with questions around real-world case studies and implementation strategies in enterprise environments.

The WOW Summit Experience

Beyond my session, WOW Summit was a powerful platform for cross-disciplinary conversations. Here are some highlights:

• Global Perspectives: I met speakers and attendees from across Asia, Europe, and the US, each bringing a unique take on how AI and Web3 are reshaping industries.

• Innovation Showcases: Startups were showcasing solutions that combine AI, blockchain, and sustainability—offering a glimpse into the future of technology ecosystems.

• Networking Moments: The informal conversations during coffee breaks and networking sessions were as valuable as the sessions themselves. I had the chance to exchange ideas with researchers, product leaders, and community builders.

Why This Session Matters

As AI adoption accelerates, cost is becoming a boardroom conversation. Organizations are excited about what generative AI can do, but many are still figuring out how to make it sustainable and scalable. Azure AI Foundry provides the right foundation, but it takes practical know-how to get it right.

I wanted the audience to walk away not just inspired, but equipped with actionable strategies. Based on the feedback I received, I’m glad this session contributed to the larger dialogue on making AI adoption realistic, responsible, and cost-effective.

Gratitude

A huge thank you to the organizers of WOW Summit Hong Kong 2025 for curating such a high-quality event, and for inviting me to be part of it. It’s always an honor to represent the work we’re doing in the AI space and share knowledge with a global audience.

This summit was a reminder of why I love speaking at conferences: the exchange of ideas, the curiosity in the room, and the inspiration that comes from connecting with peers who are shaping the future of technology.