Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit Main Forum today (April 13):
 
尊敬的王京濤副主任 (Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, Mr Wang Jingtao), 任賢良秘書長 (Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, Mr Ren Xianliang), Professor Francis Gurry (Vice-Chairman of the World Internet Conference), Honourable Ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
      It is both a pleasure and an honour to join you today. Allow me to offer my warmest welcome to everyone here for this important summit.
 
The era of digital intelligence
 
      We meet at a moment when digitalisation and intelligent empowerment are reshaping every sector of our economies and our societies. In this process, there is no force as pivotal and transformative as artificial intelligence.
 
      Today, we are witnessing a redefinition of connectivity - one that is no longer characterised by digital links, but by digital intelligence. The emergence of agentic AI, which has become a hot topic this year, marks a clear leap forward. We now see systems that do not simply execute instructions, but can plan, co-ordinate and act towards a goal.
 
      I believe we are entering an era of digital intelligence, one marked by several defining features.
 
      First, universal connection. The Internet of Things is steadily becoming a reality. With AI, the scale and depth of connectivity will grow, as more data and more devices are drawn into an integrated network. New forms of connection will emerge. For end users, we can expect more seamless and personalised devices, including, in time, direct interfaces between the human brain and the digital world.
 
      Second, convergence of data. New layers of data generated by constant interaction will inspire new products, new services and new patterns of consumption. The ability to integrate data across sectors, interfaces and platforms will become a critical resource and asset for business development and innovation.
 
      Third, interoperable AI. The rapid progress of large language models has shown us that no single model is perfect. Different systems have different strengths - and limitations. We can expect a future in which models compete and collaborate at the same time, with different AI systems working together to combine their best capabilities and applications and, in doing so, to accelerate innovation.
 
      Finally, more intelligent decision-making. AI is already helping us make better and faster decisions in many fields. But it is worth stressing that, no matter how advanced the technology, it is people who must make the final judgment. Human responsibility, values and wisdom must guide how we design, deploy and govern these powerful tools.
 
Opportunities and challenges
 
      The potential benefits brought by this era are enormous. Agentic AI is enabling new products, services and applications across the economy. It is also lowering barriers of entry to smaller players. One-person companies and small enterprises, with access to advanced analytics and automated operations, can now run lean, high-impact businesses with far lower cost. 
 
      At the same time, we are all familiar with the risks, from algorithm bias and cybersecurity threats to misinformation and deepfakes brought by AI. These risks may well be amplified as AI becomes more pervasive, and they remind us that several key issues must be addressed. They include the ultimate human control of AI systems, data security, resilience of digital infrastructure, as well as accountability and governance for agentic AI.
 
Hong Kong's value proposition
 
      Ladies and gentlemen, against this backdrop, allow me to share how Hong Kong is positioning ourselves, and the value we seek to create in this new era.
 
      First, we are taking forward an "AI+" strategy. AI has tremendous transformative power across industries, and across both public and private sectors. Hong Kong is determined to enable more AI applications to be developed, tested and deployed in real-world settings.
 
      That is why, as announced in this year's Budget, we have set up the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy, which I chair. This Committee brings together leaders from industry and academia to explore how AI can best transform key sectors, such as life and health technology and embodied AI.
 
      Nurturing talent and raising digital literacy are central to this strategy. In the age of digital intelligence, our community must know how to work with AI agents, using them to create value, while remaining alert to their risks.
 
      This is a twin-track effort, focused on both specialist talent and the wider public. On the one hand, Hong Kong is building a strong AI talent pipeline by attracting top minds to our universities, research institutes and technology companies. On the other, we have launched the "AI Training for All" initiative to promote broad-based understanding and application of AI across society, so that students, professionals and the broader community are ready to seize the opportunities of the AI age.
 
      Second, we are advancing a "Finance+" strategy. Hong Kong is an international financial centre, with a comprehensive funding ecosystem that serves companies and projects at every stage of development. The era of digital intelligence will bring forward new and frontier applications that require patient and sophisticated capital. Our task is to put Hong Kong's financial strengths to full use, helping technology enterprises capture this window of opportunity and providing the funding support they need to accelerate innovation.
 
      Third, Hong Kong is developing as a hub for data and innovative applications. We are where Mainland and international data, talent and capital converge. This gives us a unique vantage point to develop new applications that can serve both domestic and global markets.
 
      At the same time, we recognise that innovation often comes with new risks. Here in Hong Kong, sandboxes have become a defining feature of our regulatory approach across sectors. They allow regulators to work side-by-side with innovators, testing new tools in a controlled environment, identifying risks early and providing timely, practical feedback. We believe this approach encourages more responsible innovation, and Hong Kong can be a trusted centre for AI innovation.
 
Closing
 
      Ladies and gentlemen, looking ahead, the era of digital intelligence will offer vast opportunities - with AI as a force for all, and a force for good. To realise this, we will need imagination, the courage to experiment, and, above all, sound human judgment to guide the way forward.
 
      To capture this moment, we must work together. By sharing experience, developing good practices and building concrete partnerships, we can ensure that technological progress remains sustainable, responsible and inclusive. Hong Kong is ready and willing to deepen its engagement with regional and international partners in this endeavour.  
 
      That is why platforms like the Summit today are so important. I wish it every success, and all of you good health and the best of business. Thank you very much.

Ends/Monday, April 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:48

NNNN