It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our esteemed Professor Xiaoou Tang on December 15, 2023.
Prof. Xiaoou Tang was a distinguished Professor in Information Engineering, an Outstanding Fellow of the Faculty of Engineering, and a co-founder and executive director of SenseTime. He was a pioneering figure in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
Prof. Tang obtained his B.S. degree from the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, in 1990, his M.S. degree from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, in 1991, and his Ph.D. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, in 1996. He joined the Department of Information Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1998, where he established the Multimedia Laboratory in 2001.
Throughout his career, Prof. Tang achieved numerous milestones, including leading his team to win the Best Paper Award at the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) in 2009. In 2014, his team developed a groundbreaking face recognition system with a world-record accuracy of 99.15%. He also founded SenseTime, which rapidly became a prominent player in the field of artificial intelligence.
Prof. Tang’s impact extended beyond his research achievements. Over the course of twenty years, he mentored and inspired a new generation of scholars in AI and Multimedia Processing, leaving a lasting legacy.
We are confident that his students will carry on the spirit and vision of Prof. Xiaoou Tang as they continue to advance the field of artificial intelligence.
We would like to convey our deepest condolences to Professor Tang’s family.
Funeral news from Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Mourning Professor Tang Xiaoou – The Office of Communications and Public Relations Office
In Memoriam of Prof. Xiaoou Tang – The Faculty of Engineering, CUHK
70 responses to “In Memory of Prof. Xiaoou Tang (1968-2023)”
After devoting your whole life to academics, may the peace be with you, Prof. Tang.
先生千古 懿德长存
May Professor Xiaoou Tang rest in peace
RIP
# Mourning Professor Xiaoou Tang
Shocked by the tragic news of Professor Tang’s passing, a giant star has fallen; heaven envies the talented. As one of the former students from MMLab, I am deeply saddened and heartbroken. The last time I saw Professor Tang, we were discussing the application scenarios of AI in asset management and the further application of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Fintech. May you dream of the world as you wished it to be.
Thank you for bringing the remarkable contribution and immeasurably great influence to the realm of Artificial Intelligence, your wisdom will keep guiding us to the very next era.
正是因为仰慕您我才选择了MIE，现在我虽然知识尚浅，但我会一直以您为榜样，做一个有开拓精神的研究者
您是我们中国人的骄傲
云山苍苍，江水泱泱
先生之风，山高水长
汤先生千古
RIP, Professor Tang. Your spirit will inspire us to forge ahead.
Your achievement shall be engraved upon human history, your name shall be remembered forever, may you rest in peace and find your seat at heaven.
好希望讣告是假的。
愿一路安好, 汤老师千古。
Rest in peace professor, your efforts are not in vain and our generation will carry on your legacy.
先生走好，吾辈奋发。RIP
先生千古 风范长存
It is really a sad news and a huge loss to IE Department and CUHK. Prof. Tang has been an asset to our IE Department, leading the Multimedia Lab to do top-notch research in artificial intelligence. He has been globally recognized as an AI expert and has made substantial contributions to the technological advances as well as the impactful applications. He has indeed inspired many students to perform good research in the AI area. His contributions will be remembered. I would like to express my deepest condolence to Prof. Tang’s family.
汤晓鸥老师千古
汤老师千古！您一直是我们的精神领袖！
英才恐被上天妒，未到花甲身先逝。
意氣風發少年志，五十五載探真知。
國之重臣多謀智，桃李滿園足學識。
遺產造福IE人，學子進步無止時。
雖然未真正意義上做過你的學生，但是感謝我在IE department，感謝有你。
——普普通通的IE人
May you rest in peace Prof. Tang.
听闻噩耗，不愿相信，难以接受。一个睿智、温暖、高尚的领路人。与您的相遇，改变了我的人生，让我从事业和人生的低谷中走出。愿您一路走好，天堂里没有头疼和失眠，有更多的幽默包袱可以分享。
先生千古。
R.I.P
初到CU之时，就听闻您的功绩，从那时起我就希望能以您为榜样，能一直保持兴趣研究。先生千古，您未曾看见的AI，我会替您带来。
自知永不能达到您的高度，但只要向着旗帜攀登就一定还是在正确的道路上前进的。
汤老师一路走好🙏
This is a huge loss for not only CUHK, but for the whole world. RIP🙏
汤晓鸥老师千古
RIP
湯老師千古
R.I.P
先生当千古，吾辈须自强
Prof. Tang was a preeminent researcher with a particular talent for identifying students with high research potential and working with them. Everything other than research was almost a distraction to him. Prof. Tang was also very protective of his research group and his proteges in general, shielding them from dealing directly with bureaucracy and enabling them to maintain their focus on research. On the other hand, he would also shy away from the public limelight and let others get the credit. The greatest honor we can bestow on his legacy is to be among the global leaders in our research area and bring repute to our department. I hope that he finds peace and lots of time for research wherever he is right now.
Prof. Tang has been caring and helping for the growth of young scholars. I remember the day two years ago when he came back to SHB and had a discussion with me about AI for smart grid. He encouraged me to start learning and collaborating in this area, which indeed has gained a lot. It is really sad that we lost him. May Prof. Tang rest in peace!
斯人已去，风范长存，永远怀念！
Rest in peace prof Tang
My deepest condolences. May his soul rest in peace,
前不久回国才和汤老师见面，音容笑貌宛在，谆谆教诲犹存，却斯人已逝！震惊，悲痛，难受。。我是2008年加入汤老师的MMLAB，在那里成就了两件终身大事：找到了老婆，确立了从事一生的科研方向。后来2011年申请博士，2012申请博士奖学金，2015申请教职，以及后来换工作，汤老师从未缺席，百忙中一直在默默支持，并在深度学习起步早期给我发来邮件：All in deep learning！凡此种种太多太多了，师恩难报情无尽！
老婆安慰我说：“汤老师太多事情太忙了，也许汤老师潜意识里是想休息的，所以睡着了。”应该是这样吧，这样想会好受一些。汤老师，您一路走好，休息好。师恩难报情无尽，学生谨念当传承！
May Professor Tang rest in peace.
中國AI界標誌性的人物，香港中文大學孵化的第一家上市公司，中國AI四小龍之一的創始人，湯教授的離去是中國人工智能發展道路上的一個重大損失，希望湯教授的家人能夠節哀，湯教授的學生和員工繼承他留下的寶貴財富，繼續為中國人工智能的發展貢獻自己的力量！R.I.P.
至今不愿意相信你已离开，看到你的照片就想哭。我在2011年来到IE系读phd，你手把手的改论文想idea跟进实验结果，我曾想自己何德何能可以得到你信任，至今也尽力把事情做最好不让你失望，从不曾想过你永远看不到了。女儿这两天看到爸爸偷偷擦眼泪，妈妈告诉她爸爸的老师去世了，女儿问我“你的老师叫什么名字”，我说“汤晓鸥”，她很乖马上记住了，会安慰我“汤老师可能变成天上星星，爸爸你再也不能学习了，因为没有老师了。。。”；今天下午不会打字的女儿在键盘上不断胡乱敲击，居然打开了浏览器显示出汤老师IE系的主页，我一下子忍不住了，感觉你又来到我们身边。。。 非常多的遗憾和后悔，后悔你曾经交代的事情没有做好，后悔为什么没有把孩子们亲自带给你看看，。。。 2023年12月17日23时16分。
You are my star. RIP
十三年前汤老师在清华的talk改变了我的一生。恩师，好好休息。
很遗憾当您离去了从大家的回忆中才更多了解您，很遗憾没有珍惜您还在的时候多与您交流，很遗憾没有足够努力和坚强做到对得起您的信任。这些天默默流了很多次眼泪，很幸运人生中有机会能与您这样一位杰出的灵魂有过交集。相信被您帮助和鼓舞过的人会继承发扬您的精神和品格，您未尽的事业后继有人。汤老师一路走好。
汤老师，还记得第一次见您，是在2019年的ICCV，我去商汤的晚宴“蹭饭”，看到您在远远的台上跟听众们讲，那时的我没有勇气跟您交谈，更哪有想到自己将来能在离您如此之近的地方与您产生交集。后来是来IE系里给Job Talk的时候，您没有出现，我自己难过了好几天，觉得自己没有得到您的肯定；直到几天之后收到了您的电话，才知道您是因为比较忙，极其荣幸得到了您的认可和来IE系的邀请。来到IE之后，很荣幸您又愿意做我的Faculty Mentor，并给了各方面的大力支持和悉心指导。最后一次是今年夏天在上海实验室，跟您近距离聊天；共进午餐的时候，您跟我说了好多IE系的，MMLab的以前的事情，也问了我好多IE系现在的事情：系里面新来的老师的研究方向，现在港府的Funding状态，学生们的学习生活状态等等。您的谆谆教导、和蔼平和的音容依旧清晰。我是何等幸运，能得到您的信任，指导与支持。定牢记您的教诲，不负您所望！汤老师您一路走好！
I want to share my thoughts on Sean’s family life. His love for his family is truly exquisite. He took a leave of absence from the University to work at Microsoft Office in Beijing, hoping that his wife and son would be taken care of by his family there. He once asked me not to give him any calls after 9:30pm in order not to disturb his family, especially his son when he was young.
Not only Sean has made outstanding contributions to his research, but also make a great effort to rename the Chinese title from “訊息工程”to “信息工程” which makes it well known to all the students in Mainland China.
Wishing the family peace during this difficult time.
I am really saddened by the news of Sean. Joined the IE department as young faculty around the same time, we shared some fun times when swam in Clear Water Bay, visited Shek O and the Peak, traveled to Macao, had hot pot, found apartment, … I still remember the nice young man, optimistic world view, and creative researcher. At this sad time, we may celebrate the life and great works of Sean.
I’m incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of Prof. Tang. Your contributions to the academic and AI fields have been immense, revolutionizing the world we live in. It’s unfortunate that you won’t be able to witness all the changes. May Prof. Tang rest in peace. It was truly an honor to have had the opportunity to work alongside you at CUHK.
汤教授千古，感谢您的言传身教！在 IE 读书期间，听过教授的教诲，讲话的内容已经不记得了，但是教授低调温润的讲话态度、谦逊严谨的治学作风依然历历在目。最后一次见到教授是在 2015 年 2 月，刚刚过完农历春节，在香港机场的国际出发大厅，我准备出差飞 SFO，偶遇教授在机场的麦当劳买午餐，想一想没有过去几年的时间，却发生了这么多的事。谢谢您 Professor Tang，我会努力、坚强！
Rest in peace, Prof. Tang.
Gone but not forgotten, thank you for the great inspiration you bring to my generation, RIP Prof. Tang.
R.I.P
汤老师一路走好。第一次见教授大约是在十年前，当时有幸聆听了您在清华的讲座，我才立志投身AI领域。您是我的领路人，引领我走向AI的未来。
Prof. Tang, you will shine like a star.
Rest in peace. Your impact and dedication will always be remembered and cherished. May your soul find eternal peace.
汤老师，真的很难相信您就这样离开了。
还记得2004年的夏天，当时还在电子所做暑假实习的我，去希格玛大厦您的办公室见您，因为科大师兄说有个香港的老师想要招学生，觉得我可能合适。见完面，您建议我大四从通信转图片研究方向，申请CUHK的MMLab，同时给我大四到MSRA实习的机会。当时的我稀里糊涂，CUHK很多申请的材料细节，都是您帮助我的，还跟我一起mock interview。MSRA CV组实习，您告诉我做研究开始要先读300篇论文。2006年，从CMU的ICML开会回来，我跟您说我想要做产品经理。您觉得放弃学术生涯很可惜，跟我促膝长谈3个小时，让我跟您讲什么是产品经理，还有之后3年的规划。听完后，虽然依旧认为走学术路径更好，但还是支持我的选择去找一份PM的工作。2007年，我的MPhil毕业答辩顺利完成，您过来告诉我，是您听过的最好的研究生毕业答辩。2009年，我跟您说我要去美国工作了，您说要照顾好自己。2014年，您跟徐立来湾区，我们一起看了好多好多的公司。你们俩兴奋的跟我说，开了一个公司，叫“商汤”，it’s time to make sense！2017年，我给您发消息，说要搬家回国了。您说，哪儿也别去，回来商汤一起做改变世界的AI。2018年，我跟达华一起开始做商汤教育，您告诉我们，一定要用心，做好的AI教育，让中国更多的学生们受益。
是您把一个大三了还没有任何人生规划的孩子收做了您的学生，从而改变了她的一生。您总是温暖而又坚定的站在我们的身后，默默的支持着我们去闯荡这个世界。
希望您在那边一切都安好。我们非常非常的想念您。
戴娟，2023.12.18 上海
Xiaoou is a hero to many who have interacted with him. He is caring, enabling, charming, and has left a lasting positive impact everywhere he went. Working with Xiaoou was truly a privilege. May he rest in peace, forever remembered and cherished in the memories of family and friends.
汤老师千古！
湯教授千古，感謝您的言傳身教！還記得您風趣幽默的課堂，記得您對我們學業或生活無私的支持和鼓勵，也記得您的專業知識給我們在視覺識別領域帶來無盡的啟發。
在我們心中，恩師永遠活在記憶中，您為我們點亮了前進的道路，您的影響力將永遠留在我們心中。
願您安好，願天堂沒有病痛，也願AI事業後繼有人，繼續發揚成為您所願的AI世界，我們會一直一直懷念和感激您。
RIP Prof Tang
汤老师千古，您的精神由我辈继续传承。
今日在上海送别汤老师最后一程，您经常给大家推荐歌曲和影视作品，现在想把《好大一颗树》这首歌送给您，您是我今生遇到的唯一最接近完美的人！汤老师一路走好，我们永远怀念您，您曾经播撒下的希望和AI(爱)的种子定会茁壮成长为一朵朵生机勃勃的花和一颗颗挺拔的参天大树，他们会将这份希望和AI(爱)传递下去，愿您永远活在这个五彩缤纷的花样年华中！
I was shocked to know about Professor Sean Xiaoou Tang’s sudden death. He was a wonderful colleague at CUHK! May Prof. Tang rest in peace. My condolences to his family.
有幸在2022年听了一场你的讲座，当时特别想从MIE转CS，对未来一切迷茫。我从未想过当时你已经是功成名就，德高望重的教授，对于我这样的问题，居然花了半小时跟我聊以后做什么，该准备什么，还跟我分享文章，并且告诉我以后有问题可以给你发邮件。最为最平凡的本科生，真的受宠若惊，足以见教授对学生的好。有人说过，老天对这个世界最善良的人的方式，是让他没有疼痛没有伤感的突然离开，然后去向另一个美好世界。汤教授千古！永远的偶像！
立言立学，领中华学子攀环球学术最高峰；立功立业，创商汤引时代激流兴业报国。山高水长，先生千古。
汤老师千古
天妒英才，中国AI痛失一臂
犹记得几个月前，有幸聆听了汤老师的教诲，耳边满是汤老师对中国AI未来的展望和期盼，
天妒英才，中国AI痛失一臂
犹记得几个月前，有幸聆听了汤老师的教诲，耳边满是汤老师对中国AI未来的展望和期盼！汤老师坚守原创，终其一生大力推动着中国AI的发展，是真真正正的大国工匠！
汤老师对AI研究的无数人产生了巨大的影响，愿先生千古，我辈定当承志前行！
受您的影响才走上CV研究之路。汤老师千古！
依然记得2003年初次见到您的场景。RIP Prof Tang.
RIP Prof. Tang.
Appreciate what you did
先生一路走好。
I am a graduate of CUHK IE, and although I have never had the pleasure of meeting Prof. Tang, I have felt the profound impact he has had at all times in the college.
His deeds, research results, and impact deeply and will affect me and many others in the long run.
I would like to express my deepest condolences and wish you all the best.
青衫磊落，格究智理，胸怀报国宏图，悲憾吾师陨阴阳割昏晓；
丹心耿介，矢志原创，情倾桃李天下，此别江海寄天地一沙鸥。
愿汤老师一路走好！