I am Yantong Liu (刘彦彤), an MPhil student in Computational Media and Arts at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), advised by Prof. Mingming Fan and Prof. Chen Liang. Previously, I received a B.A. in Data Journalism from the Communication University of China.
My interdisciplinary background has enabled me to lead research across human–computer interaction, including:
- Interaction design and conceptual frameworks for aligning human and AI expression across modalities (ContextInk; Wake-Up Systems Survey)
- How AI-driven embodied systems participate in social and collaborative tasks (Floating Robot)
Before that, I produced data journalism projects and reports on:
- Visual analysis of public opinion and its social impact (POReviewer; Election Awareness)
- In-depth reporting on recommendation algorithms and educational technology (Recommendation Algorithms; Educational Devices)
There were also some reports about local economies, child protection, and public health.
My research interests have always centered on AI in society and the people who shape and are shaped by AI.
I am actively seeking PhD opportunities starting in 2027 and open to collaboration. If you see a connection, let's have a chat!
Education
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Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)MPhil in Computational Media and ArtsSep. 2025 – Present
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Communication University of ChinaB.A. in Data JournalismSep. 2021 – Jun. 2025outstanding thesis
Experience
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State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and CommunicationResearch InternJan. 2024 – Jun. 2025
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Caixin Media Company Ltd. VisLabData Reporting InternAug. 2023 – Nov. 2023
Selected Research Outputs (view all )
ContextInk: Making Free-Form Annotations Reusable in AI-Supported Active Reading
Yantong Liu*, Xinyu Gai*, Mingyuan Qin, Mingming Fan (* equal contribution)
Manuscript under review
As an avid reader, I have always been fascinated by the notes I make in the margins. They capture a reader's thinking in its most immediate, unfiltered form. This insight led me to initiate and lead ContextInk, an AI-supported reading system that helps people revisit and reuse free-form annotations as their questions evolve.
ContextInk: Making Free-Form Annotations Reusable in AI-Supported Active Reading
Yantong Liu*, Xinyu Gai*, Mingyuan Qin, Mingming Fan (* equal contribution)
Manuscript under review
As an avid reader, I have always been fascinated by the notes I make in the margins. They capture a reader's thinking in its most immediate, unfiltered form. This insight led me to initiate and lead ContextInk, an AI-supported reading system that helps people revisit and reuse free-form annotations as their questions evolve.
A Survey of Advances in Wake-Up Systems: Toward Context Awareness, Multimodality, and Personalization
Zihong He*, Yantong Liu*, Yuhui Zheng*, Chun Yu, Chen Liang, Yuanchun Shi, Hai-Ning Liang (* equal contribution)
Revised manuscript under review
A synthesis of 116 publications on context-aware, multimodal, and personalized wake-up systems. Zihong He, Yantong Liu, and Yuhui Zheng contributed equally.
A Survey of Advances in Wake-Up Systems: Toward Context Awareness, Multimodality, and Personalization
Zihong He*, Yantong Liu*, Yuhui Zheng*, Chun Yu, Chen Liang, Yuanchun Shi, Hai-Ning Liang (* equal contribution)
Revised manuscript under review
A synthesis of 116 publications on context-aware, multimodal, and personalized wake-up systems. Zihong He, Yantong Liu, and Yuhui Zheng contributed equally.
POReviewer: A Visualization System for Retrospective Public Opinion Analysis
Zeyu Li, Manlu Zhou, Yantong Liu, Changchang Ye, Xiaomeng Zhou, Jiawan Zhang
Journal of Visualization 2026
POReviewer: A Visualization System for Retrospective Public Opinion Analysis
Zeyu Li, Manlu Zhou, Yantong Liu, Changchang Ye, Xiaomeng Zhou, Jiawan Zhang
Journal of Visualization 2026
MindWeaver: Scaffolding Critical Thinking Through Structure-Mediated Human–AI Collaboration
Qing Shi, Yilin Zheng, Yantong Liu, Luyao Shen, Ran Li, Xuning Zhang, Yi-Lung Kuo, Mingming Fan
Manuscript under review
MindWeaver: Scaffolding Critical Thinking Through Structure-Mediated Human–AI Collaboration
Qing Shi, Yilin Zheng, Yantong Liu, Luyao Shen, Ran Li, Xuning Zhang, Yi-Lung Kuo, Mingming Fan
Manuscript under review
Publications
Academic Exchange & Service
- Session Moderator, AI Support for Learning, Recall & Performance, GBA HCI Pre-CHI 2026
- Presenter, fast-forward talk and poster, ChinaVis 2024, Hong Kong, Jul. 2024