Mainland GBA consumers show greater trust in AI than Hong Kong peers, survey finds

Consumers in mainland Chinese cities within the Greater Bay Area show significantly higher confidence in artificial intelligence tools than their Hong Kong counterparts, according to a joint survey by KPMG and GS1 Hong Kong.
The survey, conducted in August, polled over 1,500 consumers across Hong Kong and major GBA cities, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Nearly six in ten mainland respondents said they believe AI will improve retail and service consumption, compared with just 28 percent in Hong Kong. 
Privacy and data misuse remain top concerns for more than half of respondents on both sides, while one in two Hongkongers worry about losing human interaction, a sentiment shared by only a third of mainland consumers.
Alice Yip, head of consumer & retail for KPMG Hong Kong, said mainland retailers have adopted AI more extensively, allowing consumers to gain more exposure and confidence. Yip added that Hong Kong retailers should expand AI use cases and strengthen data security to build consumer trust.
Anna Lin, chief executive of GS1 Hong Kong, said the Hong Kong government’s plan to establish an AI Research Institute by 2026 and provide funding for the industry could further encourage AI adoption in the retail sector.