Gene Soo

Gene Soo is Head of Ecosystem at MTR Corporation’s Global Innovation Department, where he supports innovation initiatives across Hong Kong and MTR’s international operations. His work focuses on turning ideas into practical pilots, with a growing emphasis on applying AI and automation to support MTR’s people in their everyday work, improve urban mobility, and enhance the commuter experience.

Much of Gene’s recent work centres on driving AI adoption and everyday use at MTR. He builds AI agents and tools for real operational challenges, from smarter staff canteen menus to sharing knowledge across business units. He also champions ShiftChat, a platform that connects and coordinates frontline and shift-based workers. Gene favours working pilots over presentations, testing where AI genuinely adds value before scaling it, and helping colleagues get comfortable using the tools themselves.

Gene is personally committed to environmental sustainability and is an active recycler. He regularly uses MTR’s Carbon Wallet and Hong Kong’s Green@Community network to reduce waste and support circular practices in daily life.

Prior to joining MTR, Gene brought Citymapper to Hong Kong and co-founded StartupsHK, contributing to the city’s growing tech and startup community. He holds a BS and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Columbia University.

My Sustainability Goals for 2026:

Make sustainability the invisible default
I hope to see smart technology and AI woven so deeply into everyday life that the low-carbon, low-waste option quietly becomes the default in how we move, work, and consume, rather than something people have to actively choose.

Make the greener choice the easier choice
I want people gently nudged toward sustainable habits through good design, digital incentives, and rewards, so recycling, low-carbon travel, and circular consumption feel effortless and even a little rewarding, rather than a chore.

Make sustainability inclusive, not just corporate
I hope to see innovation break down silos and open opportunity across the public, private, and civic sectors, so progress on sustainability is community-driven and inclusive, leaving no one behind.