Policy Address

Promote the Development of the AI and Data Science Industries

66. AI is the key driving force of a new round of scientific and technological revolution, as well as industrial transformation. With our advantages in scientific research, capital, data and talent, together with abundant use cases, Hong Kong is poised to become a global hub for AI development. The Government will step up the promotion of AI as a core industry for Hong Kong's development, guided by the strategy of "strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach". We will promote the development of AI+ and facilitate an extensive and deep integration of AI across sectors, with a view to achieving "industries for AI" and "AI for industries", while placing strong emphasis on safety risk prevention.

Promote AI Scientific Research and Leverage Our Wealth of Talents

67. The Government has bolstered its efforts to nurture local and attract overseas and Mainland AI professionals. Relevant measures include setting up the AIR@InnoHK research cluster that pooled over a thousand experts. Combined with nearly a thousand AI companies that have gathered in our I&T parks, this helps enhance our AI R&D capabilities and lay the foundations for wide-ranging AI applications.

68. The Government earlier announced the launch of the $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme. It will help funded universities attract international top-notch scientific researchers in AI and other fields to Hong Kong to spearhead basic research in frontier technologies. The scheme will invite applications soon.

69. We have also earmarked $1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute in 2026, to facilitate upstream AI R&D, the midstream and downstream R&D outcome, and the expansion of use cases.