Chen Tsz-kin, a 17-year-old Hong Kong resident suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, unveiled an AI avatar of himself at the University of Hong Kong to continue sharing his story and message of perseverance after his expected lifespan ends. Diagnosed with the condition at age 1½, Chen uses technology like wheelchairs, back braces, and breathing machines but has pursued challenging activities such as a desert expedition and paragliding despite his illness.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-13,
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Story summary
Chen Tsz-kin, 17, a Hong Kong teenager battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy, unveiled an AI avatar of himself named "AI Tsz-kin" at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) weeks before his 18th birthday. Diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age 1½, Tsz-kin now relies on a wheelchair and breathing assistance due to muscle weakness caused by the progressive disease. He created AI Tsz-kin to ensure that his message of perseverance continues even after he is gone, as doctors once told him that his life expectancy was around 18 years old.
Written for “AI Avatar For Illness Survivor” on 2026-09-14,
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No political leaning scored for article 8431 · logged 2026-09-13
Hong Kong teen battling rare disease creates AI avatar to ensure his story lives on
Chen Tsz-kin, 17, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, says that while life may come to an end, AI can allow his message of perseverance to continue
A
uncertain
message → battle → perseverance
Hong Kong teenager with a rare muscle-wasting disease has created an AI version of himself, hoping the digital twin can continue sharing his life story and message of perseverance even after he is gone.
asserted
he → waste → perseverance
Chen Tsz-kin, 17, unveiled “AI Tsz-kin” at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on Sunday, weeks before his 18th birthday – an age the student said he had long feared reaching because he was once told it was the average life expectancy for people with his disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
asserted
it → unveil → disease
“Life may come to an end, but through different means, AI can allow [my message] to continue,” he said.
uncertain
he → come → means
“Even if one day I am no longer here, I just hope people remember the spirit behind it.”
asserted
people → hope → it
Tsz-kin was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was just 1½ years old.
asserted
he → diagnose → dystrophy
The progressive rare and deadly condition causes muscles to weaken over time, and he now uses a wheelchair, wears a back brace and relies on a breathing machine at night.
asserted
he → cause → night
Even so, he has spent much of his childhood pursuing experiences that might have seemed impossible, including travelling to the Kyrgyz highlands, completing a 100km desert expedition with support from volunteers, paragliding and diving.
uncertain
that → spend → volunteers
