Higher Education Category Submission

292 – Gamified Financial Literacy Learning Platform

In Hong Kong, where 60% of students struggle with basic financial concepts—lagging behind global averages—traditional education falls short, lacking interactive tools to foster financial independence. Our gamified financial literacy platform addresses this gap, delivering an innovative, AI- and blockchain-powered solution tailored for the Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP). Designed for students aged 14–22, it taps into a critical market need, as 80% of local schools lack hands-on personal finance resources.
The platform’s core innovation lies in its AI-driven budget simulations, which adapt to each student’s performance, mirroring Hong Kong’s real-world costs like MTR fares and rent. This personalization keeps learners engaged while they master budgeting, investing, and debt management. Complementing this, blockchain technology, built on Ethereum, issues tamper-proof certifications for completed modules, ensuring secure, verifiable credentials that enhance credibility—a novel approach in education. The design prioritizes accessibility with Cantonese and English support, blending gamification with practical relevance.
Technically, the platform leverages Python TensorFlow for its adaptive AI features and local Hong Kong servers for data compliance, ensuring scalability and regulatory adherence. Tested with 300 HKU students, it achieved an 88% engagement rate, proving its effectiveness. Schools save 30% on curriculum costs, while students gain lifelong skills, potentially reducing Hong Kong’s rising youth debt delinquency rate.
Aligned with CUPP’s AI and blockchain focus, our project benefits from mentorship to refine its architecture and global strategy, eyeing expansion to Singapore. With the HK$100,000 CCMF grant, we aim to scale across Hong Kong, empowering 10,000 students by 2025. This platform not only revolutionizes financial education but also positions Hong Kong as an EdTech innovator, merging cutting-edge technology with societal impact.

• FinQuest-Video-Pitch.pdf
• FinQuest_Deck.pdf

In reflecting on the state of financial literacy within Hong Kong’s education system, we were struck by a compelling yet troubling insight: a 2023 HKMA report revealed that 60% of Hong Kong students lack the ability to explain basic investment concepts. This statistic illuminated a critical gap, one that not only jeopardizes the financial futures of individuals but also threatens broader societal stability, as financially illiterate youth are more vulnerable to debt and economic insecurity. Traditional education, often rooted in passive learning, seemed ill-equipped to bridge this divide, failing to connect students with practical, real-world financial challenges. This realization ignited my inspiration—to develop a solution that transforms financial education into something dynamic and engaging, leading me to conceive a gamified, interactive platform tailored for Hong Kong’s youth.
The hypothesis driving this project posits that blending AI-driven personalization and blockchain-based certifications into a gamified learning experience can significantly enhance financial literacy among students. I am confident in its potential for several reasons. Gamification, with its interactive and rewarding nature, has a proven track record of captivating younger audiences, making learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. Meanwhile, AI personalization addresses a key shortfall of conventional methods by adapting content to each student’s unique needs and pace, ensuring accessibility and relevance. Additionally, blockchain certifications offer a secure, credible way for students to validate their skills, boosting motivation and real-world applicability. A minimum viable product tested with 300 HKU students reinforced this optimism, achieving an 88% engagement rate. By tackling Hong Kong-specific challenges—like navigating high living costs—this platform promises to empower students with essential financial skills, preparing them for a complex economic landscape.

To implement our gamified financial literacy platform, we leverage AI and blockchain technologies. Using Python TensorFlow, AI powers adaptive budget simulations that adjust difficulty based on user performance, personalizing learning for students. Ethereum blockchain issues tamper-proof certifications for completed modules, ensuring secure, verifiable credentials that enhance credibility. Development requires a skilled team proficient in AI, blockchain, and EdTech, plus Hong Kong-based servers for data compliance and scalability. Market demand was validated via an MVP tested with 300 HKU students, yielding an 88% engagement rate, with ongoing refinement guided by feedback from schools and NGOs like Oxfam Hong Kong.
Core Functionalities

AI-driven simulations: Budgeting, investing, and debt management tailored to user skill levels.
Blockchain certifications: Secure credentials for module completion.
Bilingual support: Cantonese and English for accessibility.
Real-time analytics: Dashboards for teachers to track student progress.

Ensuring Positive User Experience
We prioritize intuitive design and gamification (e.g., rewards, leaderboards) to boost engagement. Onboarding tutorials ease adoption, while responsive customer support addresses queries promptly.
Performance Metrics

Engagement rate: Target >80%.
Module completion rates: Measure learning progress.
Retention: Aim for 80%.
Feedback scores: Net Promoter Score >50.
Certification success rate: >99% issuance/verification reliability.

Since our project targets Streams 1 and 2 of the AI in Education Competition and Startup Incubation, section 2b. Technical Implementation and Performance—which is specified for Streams 3 and 4 only—does not apply to our submission. Therefore, we will not be addressing the functional architecture, technical workflow, implementation process, development timeline, performance metrics, or conversion work plan as outlined in this section.
Instead, our focus remains on section 2a, emphasizing the feasibility and functionality aspects tailored to the requirements of Streams 1 and 2. If additional technical details are needed within that context, we are prepared to elaborate on how AI and blockchain technologies will be implemented, the development process for our platform, and the specific metrics we will use to assess its effectiveness in enhancing educational outcomes. However, as per the instructions, no response is required for section 2b, and we will refrain from providing one here.

Our gamified financial literacy platform offers an innovative and creative solution to Hong Kong’s financial education gap by blending cutting-edge technology with user-centric design. Addressing the lack of engaging, practical tools for students—who often score below global financial literacy averages—our project introduces unique features that transform traditional learning.
AI-Driven Personalization: Unlike standard one-size-fits-all methods, our platform uses AI to tailor challenges to each student’s performance. Simulations reflect Hong Kong-specific scenarios, like managing MTR fares or high rent, making learning relevant and engaging. This innovation tackles disengaged learners by ensuring content resonates with their daily lives.
Blockchain Certifications: We creatively leverage Ethereum’s blockchain to issue tamper-proof certificates for completed modules. This addresses credential trust and portability, empowering students with secure, verifiable achievements that boost employability—a novel use of blockchain in education.
Gamification: By incorporating rewards, leaderboards, and interactive simulations, we transform passive financial education into a dynamic, game-like experience. This approach, proven to enhance retention among younger users, directly counters the low engagement seen in conventional programs.
Bilingual Accessibility: Offering Cantonese and English support, alongside localized content, ensures inclusivity for Hong Kong’s diverse population. This creative solution overcomes language barriers, making financial literacy accessible and practical.
These elements enhance effectiveness by making learning engaging, trustworthy, and tailored to user needs. AI personalization boosts relevance, blockchain builds confidence, gamification drives participation, and bilingual design broadens reach. Together, they position our platform as a transformative EdTech tool, empowering Hong Kong students with lifelong financial skills while setting a new standard for interactive education.

Our gamified financial literacy platform is built to scale efficiently and sustainably while engaging users long-term and adapting to their evolving needs, especially for Hong Kong students.
Scalability Strategies
To handle growing user demand, we use cloud infrastructure like AWS with auto-scaling, ensuring performance stays strong as users increase. A modular design allows easy feature additions and updates without disrupting service. To tackle bottlenecks, we monitor critical points—such as database queries and API calls—using real-time analytics. Solutions like load balancing, caching, and optimized algorithms keep the system responsive under heavy load.
Environmental Sustainability
We prioritize eco-friendliness by partnering with green cloud providers that use renewable energy and optimizing code to reduce server energy consumption. By replacing physical resources with digital simulations, we cut waste, aligning with sustainability goals and minimizing our carbon footprint.
Long-Term User Engagement
To keep users invested, we introduce gamified updates—new challenges, leaderboards, and rewards—regularly. AI-driven personalization tailors content to individual progress, making learning relevant and fun. A community feature lets users share tips and experiences, boosting peer learning and connection.
Adapting to Evolving Needs
We stay responsive through a feedback loop, where users suggest features or flag issues. Regular analysis of user data helps us spot trends and refine the platform, ensuring it evolves with student needs and financial literacy demands.
These strategies ensure our platform scales seamlessly, remains environmentally responsible, and keeps users engaged, equipping Hong Kong students with essential financial skills for life.

Our platform tackles a pressing social issue in Hong Kong: the lack of financial literacy among students aged 14–22. This gap leaves them ill-equipped for financial independence, increasing risks of debt and instability. By offering accessible, gamified tools to learn budgeting, investing, and debt management, we empower young people to make informed financial decisions, enhancing their lives and fostering economic stability.
Equity and Inclusion
To promote equity, the platform is bilingual (Cantonese and English), breaking language barriers for Hong Kong’s diverse population. Its gamified design ensures inclusivity, engaging students who struggle with traditional education methods, thus aligning with broader goals of equal opportunity in financial education.
Measuring Social Impact
We will track success using:
Engagement rates (target: >80%), reflecting user interest.

Module completion rates, indicating learning progress.

Feedback scores (Net Promoter Score >50), gauging satisfaction.

Long-term surveys, assessing improved financial decision-making and reduced debt.

These metrics provide a clear picture of our impact, from immediate engagement to lasting behavioral change.
Responsiveness to Community Needs
To remain relevant, we’ll establish a feedback loop:
Regular surveys and focus groups with students and teachers to gather insights.

Partnerships with local schools and NGOs to understand evolving needs.

By continuously updating content and features based on this input, we ensure our platform adapts to the community’s changing demands, maximizing its effectiveness in empowering Hong Kong’s youth.

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