The Education Bureau (EDB) announced on Tuesday the launch of the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme, aimed at supporting primary and secondary schools in using artificial intelligence to enhance teaching and learning effectiveness. Applications open from Tuesday.
The initiative follows the latest Policy Address, which highlighted the advancement of digital education and earmarked HK$2 billion from the Quality Education Fund to support measures proposed by the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education (SCSDDE).
Sze Chun-fai, chairperson of the SCSDDE and under secretary for education, said successful applicants will receive a one-off grant of HK$500,000. Schools are required to use the funding in accordance with program guidelines to purchase, subscribe to, or rent AI-powered devices or services that facilitate AI-assisted teaching and learning.
The funding may also be used to subsidize students’ participation in activities designed to enhance AI literacy and skills, he said.
Sze added that schools will receive the block grant on or before June 30 next year, and may deploy the funds during the 2025/26 to 2027/28 school years, with the funding period ending on August 31, 2028.
“Schools can flexibly utilize the funding to initiate and promote school-based programs that use AI to empower education, catering to their specific circumstances and developmental needs,” he said.
The EDB encouraged publicly funded schools to apply for the programme and to adopt comprehensive planning for digital education, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence, to further enhance teaching and learning through technology.
