LCQ21: Promoting artificial intelligence training for all
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Question:
The 2026-2027 Budget has proposed to promote artificial intelligence (AI) training for all to popularise the understanding and use of AI by all levels of society. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as the Budget has announced an allocation of $50 million to invite public organisations to organise, in collaboration with technology enterprises and tertiary institutions, AI application courses, seminars and competitions targeting students, young people and members of the public for enhancing their AI awareness and application skills, of the current progress of such an initiative, including the expected timing for issuing the invitations and announcing the details;
(2) in the course of promoting AI training for all in Hong Kong, (i) whether it will draw on the experience of various countries, such as the United Kingdom's "TechFirst Programme", to establish diverse training and funding programmes tailored to the needs of different audience groups (e.g. secondary school and university students, scientific researchers, women and small and medium enterprises); and (ii) whether it will provide AI-related job matching for those who have completed the training, so as to facilitate matching between enterprises and job seekers, thereby accelerating the digital intelligence transformation of society;
(3) whether it will study the establishment of an "AI competency standard framework" (e.g. covering various perspectives such as awareness, application, innovation and ethics) and link it with the Qualifications Framework, as well as provide an "AI-specific" funding under the Continuing Education Fund to encourage continuous learning for all;
(4) whether it will encourage local universities and various vocational and professional education and training providers to collaborate with various trade associations to develop "AI+Industry" micro-credential courses tailored to industry needs, so as to assist practitioners in their professional transformation and upgrading; and
(5) as there are views that with the development of agentic AI technology, the threshold for starting businesses using AI will be further lowered, whether the authorities will, when planning future university and vocational training programmes, strengthen the design of entrepreneurship courses centred on AI tools and provide guidance to help students and members of the public to master ways of using AI technology to engage in sidelines or start businesses, thereby expanding diverse employment models?
Reply:
President,
The 2026-27 Budget (the Budget) proposes the "AI for All" strategy, covering students, young people and members of the public, as well as digital education in primary and secondary schools, post-secondary education programmes and vocational skills training. In consultation with the Education Bureau and the Labour and Welfare Bureau, our reply to the five parts of the question is as follows.
(1) Promoting the widespread adoption and understanding of AI is key to the inclusive development of AI and enhancing digital and intelligent capabilities. As a part of the "AI for All" strategy, the Budget allocates $50 million to the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) to consolidate the strengths of public organisations, technology companies and academic institutions to organise a series of activities aimed at enhancing the AI awareness and application skills of students, young people and members of the public, and to promote a culture of responsible AI use (hereinafter referred to as the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme).
The "AI for Al" Inclusive Programme will be rolled out by Cyberport, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC). Cyberport will primarily be responsible for popularising the basics, targeting mainly students, parents, the elderly and underprivileged groups. Through online introductory courses, interactive workshops and site tours, the goal is to promote AI awareness and a culture of responsible AI use while bridging the digital divide. The HKSTP will put emphasis on fostering professional empowerment, targeting mainly university students, young researchers and professionals. Through advanced courses, application competitions, internships and career fairs, it aims to translate AI knowledge into practical skills and employability. The HKPC will focus on practical enhancement, targeting mainly small and medium enterprises and working professionals. It focuses on practical training and optimisation tailored to AI-workplace scenarios, promotes sharing within the industry, and enhances efficiency and competitiveness.
The three organisations have submitted proposals for organising activities under the"AI for All" Inclusive Programme, including collaboration with various technology companies, academic institutions, schools, non-governmental organisations and chambers of commerce. The ITIB is now reviewing the details. It is expected that more than 200 activities will be rolled out progressively over the two financial years starting from this summer. We will also add a dedicated section for the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme on the "iAM Smart" platform, linking to the dedicated webpages of the three organisations for disseminating relevant information.
(2) In promoting "AI for All", the relevant policy bureaux will draw on the experience of different places and, having regard to Hong Kong's actual circumstances, adopt a diversified and tiered model to support the needs of different community segments.
Taking higher education as an example, the Education Bureau (EDB) encourages the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities to offer programmes which cater for Hong Kong's development needs, expand the talent pool of important areas such as innovation and technology, and strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness. In "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address", we announced our target that by the 2026/27 academic year, 35 per cent of the students of the UGC-funded universities will be studying STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) subjects and 60 per cent will be studying subjects relevant to Hong Kong's development into the "eight centres" in the 14th Five-Year Plan. In addition, the UGC allocated $100 million in 2023 to establish the Fund for Innovative Technology-in-Education which aims to encourage universities to leverage technology to advance teaching innovation and enrich learning experience, fostering a new generation of well-rounded talent for the digital economy.
As regards self-financing post-secondary education, the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) implemented by the EDB subsidises students to pursue designated self-financing undergraduate and sub-degree programmes (including computer science) that meet Hong Kong's socio-economic development needs. From the 2027/28 academic year onwards, priority will be accorded to AI-related programmes for inclusion under SSSDP, with a view to incentivising students and parents to enrol in such programmes to further align with Hong Kong's demand for high-tech talents in the field of innovation and technology. In addition, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) has included relevant AI content in the compulsory modules on Information Technology for its Higher Diploma (HD) programmes starting from the 2025/26 academic year, and all of its HD programmes will be covered by the 2026/27 academic year.
Moreover, those employed or looking for employment can receive AI related training through various channels. For example, after its upgrading from the Employees Retraining Board, Upskill Hong Kong will continue to provide more skill based training courses on such areas as AI applications to meet market demands, helping the local workforce acquire emerging skills to enhance their competitiveness in the job market.
As for job matching, under the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme, the HKSTP will organise career fairs to connect trainees who have completed the training with technology companies, so as to help them translate their AI knowledge into practical employability.
(3) & (4) When developing and updating the description of each principal job role under the Vocational Qualifications Pathways (VQPs) and the Specification of Competency Standards of various industries, the Qualifications Framework (QF) Secretariat of the Education Bureau has maintained close communication and collaboration with the industries. Depending on the actual needs of each sector, units of competency related to the application of technology, such as the application of AI, are incorporated where appropriate. At present, the information and communications technology industry has developed VQPs related to AI at the technical practitioner level. The EDB has also promulgated the Policy, Principles and Operational Guidelines for Credit Accumulation and Transfer under the QF in Hong Kong in March 2024, and welcomes course providers (including AI education course providers) to make reference to the Guidelines in designing and developing micro-credential programmes that align with the credit accumulation and transfer arrangement.
In addition, according to the information provided by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above may claim a subsidy of up to $25,000 under the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) upon successful completion of CEF reimbursable course(s). At present, CEF courses encompass a wide range of subject areas, including AI. Eligible persons are free to use their subsidy in full or in part to pursue relevant courses. There is currently no plan to introduce an "AI-specific" funding.
Under the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme, Cyberport, the HKSTP and the HKPC are actively finalising collaboration details with local, Mainland and overseas technology companies, as well as academic institutions, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders, with a view to promoting training that is more closely aligned with market and industry needs.
(5) For the higher education front, the eight UGC-funded universities collectively introduce 27 new undergraduate programmes related to STEAM and the "eight centres" in the 2025/26 to 2027/28 triennium. These programmes cover rapidly developing and highly popular emerging fields among young people in recent years, such as AI, cybersecurity, creative industries, sustainable development and data science. They will not only consolidate Hong Kong's development in innovation and technology and the "eight centres", but also create opportunities for young people to give full play to their strengths in response to the latest trends of the economic development.
Regarding vocational and professional education and training, the EDB supports VTC to make reference to the recommendations on the supply and demand of manpower and training development (including content relevant to the latest trends in AI) from the 25 Training Boards under its Council, and to collaborate with industries continuously, with a view to cultivating professionals who meet market needs.
Relevant activities under the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme will also include practical training such as content generation and digital marketing. By integrating real-world application scenarios and industry needs, it would enhance participants' competitiveness in the workplace and expand diverse employment opportunities.
Ends/Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:20
Issued at HKT 16:20
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