LCQ11: Advancing intelligentisation of manufacturing industry
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Question:
There are views that technologies such as AI are accelerating the transformation of the manufacturing industry. In January this year, eight departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, issued the Implementation Opinions on the Special Action for "Artificial Intelligence + Manufacturing", setting out a number of quantitative indicators in areas such as general-purpose large models, industrial intelligent agents and industrial datasets. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as there are views that digitalisation is the basis of intelligentisation, of the Government's strategies to guide and incentivise the manufacturing industry to build high-quality datasets;
(2) as the Implementation Opinions state that a group of empowered application service providers that "understand intelligence and are familiar with industries" shall be created, and it is learnt that there are a number of service providers on the Mainland specialising in segmented fields at present and assisting the manufacturing industry in intelligent upgrading, whether the Government will, in attracting businesses, reach out to more such enterprises to assist them in expanding business in Hong Kong, thereby accelerating the new industrialisation of Hong Kong's manufacturing industry;
(3) as the Opinions on Further Implementing the AI+ Action issued by the State Council state that the popularisation rate of applications such as new-generation intelligent terminals and intelligent agents will exceed 70 per cent next year and 90 per cent by 2030 respectively, how the Government will seize the national opportunities by formulating corresponding short, medium and long-term planning for industrial intelligent agents; and
(4) as some members of the industry have indicated that it is difficult to recruit talent with both professional knowledge in AI and experience in the manufacturing industry, whether the Government will consider (i) prioritising the introduction of this type of talent; (ii) in the short term, increasing funding for the manufacturing industry to arrange for industry experts to provide AI training for the staff; and (iii) in the long term, assisting post-secondary institutions in enhancing the cultivation of interdisciplinary talent that integrates AI, industrial manufacturing and business management?
Reply:
President,
The National 15th Five-Year Plan emphasises deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, and building a modern industrial system anchored by advanced manufacturing to consolidate and strengthen the foundation of the real economy. The Government has been actively responding and advancing relevant work across various areas.
Having consulted the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Education Bureau (EDB), our reply to the question raised by the Hon Andrew Yao is as follows:
(1) and (3) Our country has put forward the full implementation of the "AI+" Initiative to promote an extensive and deep integration of AI across various industries and sectors of the economy and society. We are making proactive efforts to align with the national "AI+" Initiative by promoting "industries for AI" and "AI for industries" through application. The Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute will come into operation in the second half of 2026, serving as a bridge to facilitate upstream research and development (R&D), midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes, and expand application scenarios. This includes promoting the adoption of AI technologies across industries, thereby assisting in the upgrading and transformation of industries. The Government will also establish the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy to formulate strategies and create favourable conditions for AI to empower the transformation and development of industries, and invite experts, scholars, enterprises and park companies to participate, with an initial focus on life and health technology and embodied AI.
Currently, the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS), the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS) and the Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme under the Innovation and Technology Fund support enterprises in adopting digital and intelligent technologies in new or existing production lines or facilities, including data collection and analysis in the manufacturing process. In addition, the Government has all along been implementing the open data policy. Unless there are justifiable reasons (such as involvement of personal privacy), bureaux and departments (B/Ds) should endeavour to release their data for free public use through the Open Data Portal. Currently, datasets covering various categories are being released on the Open Data Portal by more than 110 B/Ds and public and private organisations. Over 5 700 datasets, with 2 500 application programming interfaces, have been released for free use by all sectors. We will continue to actively open up government data and encourage public and private organisations to follow suit for innovative applications by the industry.
(2) As at the end of February 2026, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau has facilitated about 620 leading innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises or those with potential to develop, set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong. These companies span from industries of strategic importance, including equipment manufacturers, technology service providers and solution providers in AI and robotics, as well as advanced manufacturing, helping to attract upstream, midstream and downstream enterprises in related industrial chains to Hong Kong and fostering the vibrant development of Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem. We will continue to leverage various channels to focus on promoting Hong Kong's role as a bridge to help Chinese Mainland technology innovation companies expand into overseas markets and strengthen international co-operation, publicising the development of Hong Kong's I&T industries and new industrialisation policies, and telling the good story of Hong Kong's new industrialisation.
(4) The Government has included in the Talent List a number of professions in the I&T segment, including Experienced AI Specialists, etc. Outside talent who meet the eligibility criteria for relevant professions can enjoy immigration facilitation when applying for admission to Hong Kong under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the General Employment Policy (GEP) or the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP). In addition, the Government has introduced a new channel under the GEP and the ASMTP to allow outside individuals who meet the requirements of Technical Professional List to apply for entry into Hong Kong to join eight specified skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage, including new industrialisation technicians, etc. Besides, the Innovation and Technology Commission establishes a separate category under the Technology Talent Admission Scheme for enterprises, which are from industries of strategic importance (including AI and data science) and participating in the NIAS, to flexibly allow them to employ non-local technical personnel who possess the required skills/know-how and relevant experience in setting up and operating new production facilities to work in Hong Kong, thereby helping the industry recruit talent who possess both AI expertise and manufacturing experience, and meeting the demand of enterprises for talent to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong.
In terms of employee training, the New Industrialisation and Technology Training Programme subsidises local enterprises on a 1 (Government): 1 (enterprise) matching basis to train their staff in advanced technologies, especially those related to new industrialisation. Moreover, the NIAS and the NIFS support manufacturers in setting up new smart production lines, and also provide funding to such enterprises for training their employees on operating the relevant smart production lines. Besides, the Hong Kong Productivity Council is committed to providing upskilling training for employees of enterprises promoting digital transformation, helping them equip themselves with knowledge in different technology areas, including AI.
On post-secondary education, the Government has introduced the Policy Guidance on Strategic Talent Development and the Strategic Platform on Talent Development in Higher Education in the 2025-28 triennial Planning Exercise of the University Grants Committee-funded universities, so as to assist them to revise their curriculum design in responding to the Government's policy directives, market demands and industry trends, thereby meeting Hong Kong's development needs and nurturing the relevant talent. Besides, the EDB has been providing tuition subsidies for programmes in selected disciplines through the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP), with a view to encouraging the self-financing sector to offer programmes that meet social needs. AI-related programmes will be given priority to be included in SSSDP starting from 2027-28 academic year. In addition, the Vocational Training Council includes AI application in the compulsory modules on Information Technology for all of its Higher Diploma programmes and, in line with industry trends, continues to cultivate professionals who are well equipped to meet market needs, having regard to the recommendations from its 25 Training Boards on manpower supply and demand as well as training development needs.
Relevant policy bureaux and departments will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach, on the one hand expanding and deepening the application scenarios and industrial ecosystem of "AI + manufacturing", and on the other hand attracting related talent from around the world to Hong Kong, as well as providing more quality development opportunities through training and education, to support Hong Kong's manufacturing sector in seizing opportunities and accelerating Hong Kong's intelligent and high-quality development in the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation.
Ends/Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:09
Issued at HKT 16:09
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