Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future. It has undoubtedly become a new frontier in global technological competition. For years, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), a flagship event bringing together the brightest minds in AI from all around the world, was organised in Shanghai. This year marks a historic milestone: for the first time, the 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit has arrived in Hong Kong, with a full-day programme held at Hong Kong Science Park.
The "2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit" brought together top scientists, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for a full day of exchange and inspiration. This is a clear sign that Hong Kong has stepped onto the global AI stage.
As the event's exclusive strategic partner, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) offered the ideal stage for this global flagship event. Leveraging Hong Kong Science Park as a dynamic platform for exchange, showcase, and collaboration, HKSTP demonstrated its unwavering commitment to positioning Hong Kong as a key international innovation and technology (I&T) hub connecting the world.
Nation's Vision, Our Ambition
At the opening ceremony, Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, noted that China continues to achieve breakthroughs in AI, with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan that has laid out a clear roadmap for strengthening innovation and building a Digital China.
"The golden era of I&T in Hong Kong has arrived," he declared. “Today, WAIC's arrival in Hong Kong says it all.” It showcases the city's growing momentum in I&T.
'The golden era of I&T in Hong Kong has arrived,' Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP declared.
HKSTP actively responds to this national vision. At the heart of its strategy is "AI+", an initiative designed to accelerate artificial intelligence across industries, empower the upgrading of traditional sectors, and diversify Hong Kong's economy. From life and health technology to advanced materials, new energy, and microelectronics, AI+ is helping foster next-generation industries by pairing digital innovation with Hong Kong's traditional strengths.
After more than two decades of nurturing innovation, HKSTP has cultivated a thriving ecosystem in Hong Kong Science Park. Now, it is home to around 2,600 technology companies, approximately 500 of which focus on AI, supported by over 5,000 AI professionals driving smart city solutions forward.
Looking further ahead, HKSTP is boosting the development of INNOPOLE at the San Tin Technopole in the Northern Metropolis. "With 'AI+' at its core, INNOPOLE will integrate digital innovation with traditional strengths to foster new quality productive forces," Mr Wong emphasised. Adopting a public-private partnership model to optimise resources and accelerate construction, INNOPOLE is set to become a powerful engine for Hong Kong's next chapter of economic growth and its innovation landscape.
Innovation in Action
The WAIC UP! Global Summit also featured an innovation showcase zone, where three Science Park companies specialising in AI and robotics presented their cutting-edge solutions - Digital Domain Holdings Limited with its real-time virtual human technologies; IG Inno Limited with its Robot Management System (RMS) for coordinating robots across different brands; and Innovation Team with AMR solutions for logistics and smart manufacturing.
All three companies credited HKSTP's ecosystem that plays a critical role in their growth - particularly HKSTP's efforts and ability to connect startups with the right partners and clients.
"HKSTP refers different business partners to us, from hardware to platform, and helps us find talent in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area," said William Wong, Chairman of the Board, Digital Domain.
“HKSTP refers different business partners to us,” William Wong, Chairman of the Board, Digital Domain explains.
Jonny Choi, Project Director of IG Inno, highlighted the importance of HKSTP's Partnerships Team: "They bring us clients we couldn't reach on our own - government departments or enterprises looking for robotics solutions." Choi further explains that HKSTP fully understands what different companies do and matches them with the right opportunities accordingly. "It saves us so much time," Choi applauds.
“HKSTP brings us clients we couldn't reach on our own,” Jonny Choi, Project Director of IG Inno says.
"HKSTP offers more than just connections," Charles Ngan, Director of Innovation Team adds. Real-world testing environments are provided and the collaboration among park companies with complementary expertise is fostered.
'HKSTP offers more than just connections,' Charles Ngan, Director of Innovation Team says.
Hong Kong’s Unique Edge
Each founder, in their own way, pointed out the same thing: there is no better place to scale their AI business than Hong Kong.
Wong described the city as "a place where East meets West," attracting global talents and businesses that are eager to adopt new technology. Ngan highlighted Hong Kong's unique bridging role - its proximity to Shenzhen's robotics hub while serving international clients. Also, as Choi put it: "As locals, we know this market well and its regulations."
They all reinforced Mr Terry Wong's declaration: the golden era of I&T in Hong Kong has truly arrived.
Looking Ahead - Towards A Smarter Tomorrow
The summit also featured a panel discussion with Professor Hongbin Liu, Director, Centre for AI and Robotics, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, who explored Hong Kong's AI trajectory and opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
As 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit makes its historic Hong Kong debut, one message resonates clearly: powered by HKSTP's robust ecosystem and the nation's strategic vision, Hong Kong is poised to lead the next wave of AI innovation.
