LCQ13: Promoting development of artificial intelligence
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Question:
There are views pointing out that artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at a rapid pace and a number of countries such as Singapore and South Korea have formulated their AI development strategies. In parallel, this year's Policy Address has proposed various initiatives to promote the development and application of AI. The State Council also issued in August this year the Opinions on Further Implementing the "Artificial Intelligence Plus" Action (the Opinions) setting out phased objectives including realisation of extensive and in-depth integration of AI with six key areas by 2027, full AI empowerment for high‑quality development by 2030, and full entry into a new stage of intelligent economic and societal development by 2035. Furthermore, the Opinions propose accelerating the implementation of six key actions, including Artificial Intelligence Plus in scientific and technology, industrial development, consumption upgrades, people's livelihoods and well-being, governance capacity, and global cooperation. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it will, by drawing on the practices of other countries and regions, comprehensively review the promotion of AI development in Hong Kong and map out future strategies;
(2) whether it will establish a phased target for Hong Kong to take forward the "Artificial Intelligence Plus" action by drawing reference from the objectives and key actions set out in the Opinions;
(3) whether it will formulate policy initiatives to, apart from providing support to individual enterprises, proactively promote the application of AI technology in various industries, thereby enhancing the overall competitiveness of various industries in Hong Kong; and
(4) whether it has reviewed if existing efforts to nurture AI talent are adequate to meet future demand, and whether targets have been set for manpower training in relation to the development of AI in Hong Kong?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the relevant bureaux, my consolidated reply to the questions raised by Professor the Hon William Wong is as follows:
AI is leading a new round of scientific and technological revolution, as well as industry transformation. Major economies around the world are leveraging their unique strengths to formulate AI strategies and objectives that align with their development needs. We can see that the global AI development landscape and the strategic deployments of various countries, including the "AI+" initiative proposed by our nation last year, as well as the Opinions on Deepening the Implementation of the "AI Plus" Initiative released in August this year, focus on key areas such as scientific research innovation, computing infrastructure, data supply, and talent cultivation. These efforts aim to promote the deep integration and application innovation of AI across various industries and sectors of the economy and society.
For Hong Kong, since the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint (the Blueprint) put forth a strategic focus on the development of AI, the Government has set out clear goals for the development of AI, with a focus on "strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach". Steady progress has been made in various key areas, including research, infrastructure, data, industry applications, and talent nurturing. The multi-dimensional AI policies and specific measures in Hong Kong are not only in line with the national "AI+" initiative but also highly coherent with the global development path of AI. We will also timely review the implementation status and optimise individual policies and support measures according to the latest development needs, to enable AI to empower high-quality development.
In terms of innovative research and development (R&D), the Government has funded the establishment of 16 R&D laboratories focusing on AI and robotic technologies through the AIR@InnoHK research cluster, pooling over a thousand experts and strengthening Hong Kong's capabilities in foundational AI research.
We have just obtained funding approval of $1 billion from the Legislative Council for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute (AIRDI) in 2026, which will facilitate upstream AI R&D, midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes, as well as expansion of application scenarios.
Regarding computing infrastructure, Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) will further uplift its computing power within this year to meet the local demand of computing power. To support local institutions, R&D institutes and enterprises in fully utilising the computing power of the AISC, we have launched the $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme to support large-scale AI scientific research and applications. To date, it has successfully approved more than ten major projects.
In addition, we have just put up for tender a site at Sandy Ridge in the North District for the development of a data facility cluster. It will provide advanced computing power facilities, promoting the development of data and AI-related industries.
In terms of data supply, the Government has been actively implementing the open data policy and encouraging public and private organisations to open up more high-quality data, with a view to providing essential elements for the development of AI in Hong Kong. Currently, the Open Data Portal has published over 5 600 datasets, covering various industries and sectors including finance, education, transportation, community and social welfare, law and security, etc., providing important support for the industries in training algorithms and developing large language models.
Regarding cross-boundary data, the Digital Policy Office introduced the Standard Contract facilitation measure based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Facilitating Cross-boundary Data Flow within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to facilitate the safe and orderly cross-boundary flow of data. We will also actively explore the early establishment of a compliant and secure mechanism for cross-boundary flow of Mainland data to the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Co-operation Zone for scientific research purposes, supporting AI application testing and innovation.
To assist various industries in fully seizing the opportunities brought by AI, the 2025 Policy Address proposed the enhancement of Cyberport's Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme to empower small and medium enterprises to apply AI solutions through matching resources. The AIRDI will also provide professional advice and recommendations to address the difficulties and pain points encountered by different industries or enterprises in the application of AI. This will assist the industry in effectively matching AI solutions that meet their business needs, extensively expanding AI application scenarios in industries, and enhancing industry competitiveness, thereby facilitating "industries for AI" and "AI for industries".
Talent is vital in the global AI race. Following the development strategy and goal of enriching innovation and technology (I&T) talent resources and developing an international talent hub outlined in the Blueprint, we have been fully advancing various initiatives to attract overseas AI talent and nurture local AI talent. In particular, we have launched the $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme in September this year to support Universities Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities to attract international top-notch scientific researchers in AI and other fields to Hong Kong to spearhead basic research in frontier technologies. The key initiatives for nurturing local AI talent are as follows:
(i) In terms of secondary and primary schools, the Government has set aside $2 billion in the Quality Education Fund to support the implementation of digital education and will formulate the Blueprint for Digital Education, including optimising the interface between primary and secondary curricula of Information Technology and I&T education, and setting out an "AI literacy" learning framework; collaborate with professional bodies to roll out pilot schemes on AI education and enhance AI-related training for teachers; and launch progressively digital platforms and tools equipped with AI under the e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme for schools;
(ii) With the support of the Government, the Vocational Training Council established the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology in 2023, which offered a number of AI-related training programmes such as the Higher Diploma in AI and Smart Technology, the Higher Diploma in Data Science and AI, the Higher Diploma in Applied AI, etc.;
(iii) The UGC encourages universities to offer more programmes related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) and the "eight centres" (including international I&T centre) under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. Currently, several universities have offered AI-related UGC-funded undergraduate programmes; and
(iv) Provide internship opportunities in the I&T sector for university students enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, engineering and mathematics) related programmes through the STEM Internship Scheme.
Ends/Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:22
Issued at HKT 12:22
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