Opening speech by SITI at GBA International Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit 2025 (English only) (with photo)
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Mr Yu (Deputy Chairman of Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), Mr Emil Yu), Mohamed (Executive Director of HKPC, Mr Mohamed Butt), distinguished speakers and guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you today at the GBA International Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit 2025. This year's theme – "Empowering Resilient Industries through Embodied AI" captures the transformative potential of AI which drives innovation, bolsters industries, and spurs sustainable growth. This idea aptly aligns with our policy direction of promoting "industries for AI" and "AI for industries", underscoring the need for all sectors to adapt and thrive in an evolving AI landscape.
Our country's support for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology centre is reaffirmed in the 15th Five-Year Plan just released. Hong Kong shall work closely with neighbouring cities to contribute to the high quality development of the Greater Bay Area and the country. In this connection, AI and robotics remain top of our agenda.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government adopts a multi-pronged approach in fostering the development of AI, from enhancing R&D (research and development) capabilities, cultivating and attracting talents, to building infrastructure and promoting AI-related industry applications.
In terms of R&D, the InnoHK Platform, our flagship initiative, brings together 16 laboratories and over a thousand leading experts to drive breakthroughs in robotics and enhance Hong Kong's AI capabilities. One of the centres made history with the world's first long-distance, robot-assisted magnetic endoscopy using an animal model performed in parallel in Hong Kong and Zurich, spanning across a distance of 9 300 kilometres. This is a remarkable breakthrough in remote diagnostic and surgical interventions, and opens new possibilities for distanced delivery of advanced medical care. We are exactly looking for more of these applications of AI and robotics that benefit humankind.
We are also investing heavily in talent. The $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme launched this September supports the eight universities funded by the University Grants Council to attract international top-notch researchers in frontier fields including AI to Hong Kong. The Talent List is also drawn up to attract high quality talents, including experienced AI specialists, to Hong Kong, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a leading international talent hub, as reflected by Hong Kong's excellent performance in the recent QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Ranking 2026 for Asia.
On infrastructure, Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre will further ramp up its computing power to meet the increasing local demand. The Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will be established in 2026 to link up upstream AI research, midstream transformation of R&D outcomes and downstream industry applications. Meanwhile, a site at Sandy Ridge of Northern Metropolis has also been put to tender in the market for development of a data facility cluster. We hope this will strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional digital infrastructure hub, and advance the development of a digital economy and smart city initiatives.
Before I close, I would like to share with you an encouraging news: in the IMD (International Institute for Management Development)'s World Digital Competitiveness Ranking released last week, Hong Kong moves to the fourth place globally, up from seventh last year. I hope events that pool together experts in the field – such as today's Summit – will continue to inspire us to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose. And as we build a smarter and brighter future together, I encourage all registered voters here to cast your vote in the Legislative Council election on December 7 to shape a better future for Hong Kong. Thank you.
Ends/Monday, November 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 10:24
Issued at HKT 10:24
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