HK to host global AI forums

Jamie Liu

Hong Kong will host global forums on artificial intelligence and robotics this year to promote innovative technologies and deepen the city's international exchanges, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.

In a recent blog post, Chan placed emphasis on three fronts: expediting the development of innovative technologies, using new methods to boost consumption, and deepening cooperation and exchanges with the global community.

Pointing to his proposals in the latest government budget, Chan said Hong Kong will host the first International Young Scientist Forum on AI and the World Robot Conference.

"This will gather the pioneers in the field [of AI], promoting Hong Kong to become a hub for exchanges and collaborations in the AI industries," Chan wrote.

Chan pledged to ramp up support and investment into scientific research, attract tech giants to open offices in Hong Kong, and nurture tech start-ups. A special channel for listing in the city will be set up for tech firms.

The finance chief also called for new methods to boost consumption and stressed the need for "new experiences" in culture, sports and tourism, coupled with digital marketing.

"How Hong Kong takes advantage of its unique East-meets-West characteristics, provides new experiences for consumers, will be the key to maintain competitiveness and propelling future developments," Chan said.

Meanwhile, the financial secretary is set to attend a ceremony today to mark a HK$200 million donation to a government-backed joint-university collaborative venture on generative AI research.

The Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Sino Group will be donating HK$200 million to the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center under the InnoHK Research Clusters.