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Alumni Talk: Understanding the Fundamentals in the Age of AI

September 16, 2026

On September 15, our school hosted an alumni sharing session, inviting Shanon Yeung, a member of the Class of 2008, to speak with high school students online. Shanon who majored in Applied Mathematics, is a Platform Architect for automated cloud infrastructure. During the event, he drew on his own experiences to hold an in-depth yet relaxed conversation with students on topics such as career positioning in the AI era and the development of core skills.

 


During his talk, Shanon pointed out that although AI programming tools are evolving rapidly, the underlying principles of physics, protocols, and computer science remain unchanged. He encouraged students not to stop at the surface level of tools, but to develop a deeper understanding of system architecture and operating logic. "Tools change every five years, but the fundamentals don't. Those who only learn the surface are easily replaced; those who understand what lies underneath can steer their own careers." Using automation engineering as an example, he explained that modern software engineering requires engineers to think across the full chain—from hardware to cloud services—and stressed that the core reason companies hire engineers lies in "accountability": when something goes wrong with a system, someone must be able to take responsibility and solve the problem. For high school students at this stage, he suggested they try building a personal website, learning some basic development and deployment tools, and assembling hardware by hand to gain an intuitive understanding of physical resources.



During the Q&A session, students actively asked questions about the role of mathematics in computer-related work, AI's impact on the industry, and what experiences to accumulate when applying to university. Shanon described mathematics as "the study of quantifiable change," noting that its way of thinking is present everywhere in everyday reasoning and complex problem-solving. He candidly noted that the computer industry is highly competitive and increasingly saturated, and that those who are truly interested must take the initiative to build projects and accumulate hands-on experience. At the end of the event, students expressed their gratitude with warm applause for Shanon's sincere sharing, and looked forward to welcoming him back to campus on Alumni Reunion Day for another face-to-face exchange.