Over 77pc HK parents have no plans for children in the AI ​​era: survey

Chinese parents, including those in Hong Kong, are underprepared for their children's career development in the face of artificial intelligence, according to a survey commissioned by Prudential Hong Kong.

The survey data revealed that approximately 73 percent of parents have not yet taken concrete steps for their children in the AI era, with the figure rising to 77 percent among Hong Kong parents. 

Despite nearly 80 percent recognizing the importance of early preparation for their children, this highlights a significant gap between awareness and action among Chinese parents.

Fudan University was commissioned to conduct the "Life Planning for Children" survey, which collected a total of 1,900 responses from middle-class families in key cities across China in November last year, including Beijing, Shanghai, and the Greater Bay Area.

While AI is increasingly sweeping across various industries, Chinese parents are increasingly worried about their children's career prospects. Approximately 68 percent of the surveyed parents believe predicting and planning career paths will become more challenging, while around 62 percent worry that AI will replace entry-level positions. 

This concern highlights a growing anxiety among parents regarding the future certainty and the difficulties their children may face in job searching after graduation.

Besides, around 44 percent of parents hope their children will have stable jobs, while the figure reaches as high as 61.7 percent in Hong Kong, amid a more competitive job market in this city.

Regarding education, over half of parents plan to send their children abroad for education or have already made financial plans for it, with the figure reaching as high as 80.4 percent in Hong Kong.

However, funding falls short amid the high aspiration for overseas education. Among parents who claim to have made financial arrangements for their children's overseas studies, only 14.3 percent have prepared more than half of the funds, and the figure is only 17.4 percent in Hong Kong.

Prudential mentioned that while many parents are concerned about the potential challenges posed by AI in the future workplace, it is equally important to recognise the opportunities it offers, and parents should start long-term planning for their children's future early.