With the rapid emergence of AI-driven technologies and industries, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced on Wednesday that the Quality Education Fund has earmarked HK$2 billion to advance digital education in primary and secondary schools through school-based AI education programs, student activity subsidies, and AI training for teachers.
To further raise awareness and skills in AI among the public, a HK$50 million initiative will invite public organizations to collaborate with tech enterprises and tertiary institutions to organize AI application courses, seminars, and competitions targeting students, young people, and the public.
Moreover, University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities will introduce 27 new undergraduate programmes related to STEAM, including AI, creative industries, and data science in the 2025/26 to 2027/28 triennium.
From the 2027/28 academic year, AI-related programmes at self-financing post-secondary institutions will be given priority for inclusion in the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors.
In order to enhance the competitiveness of the local workforce, the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) will be upgraded and rebranded as Upskill Hong Kong, providing a variety of skill-based training courses, including AI application.
To encourage the adoption of AI technology in the government, an AI Efficacy Enhancement Team has been set up to conduct process re-engineering and enhance efficiency.
A new HK$100 million allocation will also fund the introduction of leading technologies from the industry, accelerating the digital intelligence transformation of government departments.
In addition, the Civil Service College will collaborate with the Digital Policy Office to provide comprehensive AI training for civil servants, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary knowledge for effective governance.
Chan added that he will personally chair a new Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy. The committee will bring together experts, academics, enterprises, and industry park leaders to formulate strategies for AI-powered industrial transformation, with an initial focus on life and health technology and embodied AI.
To empower industries through AI, Chan reported that the InnoHK Research Cluster has already funded 16 laboratories specializing in AI and robotics technology.
Their research spans from AI-driven robotics to applications in healthcare, logistics, smart manufacturing, and construction.
Additionally, the government's $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme has approved approximately 30 R&D applications that encompass fields such as large language models, biomedicine, and new materials, enhancing local research standards and practical application.
To actively align with the National AI+ Initiative, Chan stated that the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute Company Limited will begin operations in the second half of this year.
The company will be tasked with promoting AI+ development and the transformation of R&D outcomes, while also advising on matters such as the governance framework and regulatory regime for AI development.
In a bid to promote secure and responsible AI application in banking, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Cyberport have recently commenced trials for a second cohort of sandboxes that focus on "AI vs. AI" strategies.
Meanwhile, AI applications will be incorporated into the compulsory IT modules for all Vocational Training Council (VTC) Higher Diploma programmes.
Data Utlization
The government is also allocating additional resources to the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) to expand its consulting and analysis services on data science for bureaus and departments, helping to identify operational pain points and propose solutions.
A new online platform for interactive data dissemination will be launched by the C&SD next month, which will allow enterprises and the public to conduct cross-subject analysis by integrating different types of statistical data.
Furthermore, a natural language data query feature will be introduced in the third quarter.
