Sun Dong: The development of "AI+" in Hong Kong will accelerate the empowerment of industries and promote economic and social transformation and upgrading.

On May 6th, the Secretary for Innovation and Technology of Hong Kong, Mr. Sun, summarized the proposal of "Empowering Various Industries through 'AI+' to Promote the Development of Digital Economy and Smart Society". He emphasized that the primary focus of Hong Kong's development of "AI+" is to accelerate industry empowerment, broaden AI applications, namely "industrial AI". Solid digital infrastructure and computing resources are the foundation for AI research and applications, in which Hong Kong has significant support. In addition, Hong Kong fully supports small and medium enterprises in utilizing AI for transformation and upgrading, creating a favorable ecosystem for AI technology breakthroughs and application transformation. They also emphasize the governance and risk prevention of AI applications to ensure that AI is used well and risks are managed. This will truly drive the widespread use of AI technology in various industries. Mr. Sun mentioned that the Hong Kong government is actively promoting the establishment of the "AI+ and Industrial Development Strategy Committee" to develop strategies for AI to drive industrial transformation and development. They aim to use AI for industrial transformation and upgrading, which requires the integration and linkage of core AI development elements. He stated that solid digital infrastructure and computing resources are essential for promoting AI innovation and practical applications. Currently, Hong Kong's overall computing power has reached 5,000 PFLOPS, and they have also launched a HK$3 billion "Artificial Intelligence Funding Scheme" to support approximately 30 projects involving local large language models, new materials, synthetic biology, and medical large models, providing important support for AI research and applications. The construction of the Shatin Data Park, which has begun, is expected to provide 180,000 PFLOPS per second by 2032, equivalent to 36 times the current computing power in Hong Kong. It will adopt the world's most advanced data center technology, providing a continuous source of power for Hong Kong's medium- to long-term AI and data-related industrial development. In promoting research and application development and empowering industries, Hong Kong is creating a favorable ecosystem for AI breakthroughs and application transformation through the InnoHK platform. The "Innovation and Technology Fund" has supported AI achievements in various fields such as the Industrial Collaborative Robotics Research Center's human-machine collaboration technology, autonomous mobile Siasun Robot & Automation for executing transportation and logistics tasks, AI-assisted endoscopic surgery from the Medical Robotics Innovation Center, and intelligent tower cranes and excavators from the Intelligent Construction Research Center. Furthermore, the Hong Kong AI Research Institute will promote interdisciplinary research collaborations and provide funding support to local universities and research institutions to promote forward-looking AI research and further facilitate the transformation and application of research outcomes. Using AI in an industry-oriented approach has endless potential. Apart from Hong Kong's advantageous sectors in finance and healthcare, they will leverage better policy guidance and market leverage to empower Hong Kong's new industrial development with AI. In terms of combining AI with social governance and optimizing public services, a "AI Efficiency Enhancement Working Group" led by the Deputy Secretary of Administration is responsible for coordinating and promoting the effective application of AI technology in government departments, restructuring workflows, driving technological innovation, and enhancing government efficiency. Their goal is to launch flagship AI projects over the next two years, introducing AI tools covering various government processes to empower digital government initiatives. In addition, Hong Kong is accelerating the digitization transformation of government affairs. Small and medium enterprises are a crucial force in Hong Kong's economic development, with around 360,000 such enterprises in Hong Kong. They will play a vital role in the process of "industrializing AI", and the government plans to introduce a revised version of the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Program within the year, incorporating AI elements to focus on supporting small and medium enterprises. The government will consider launching more similar programs in the future to fully support small and medium enterprises in utilizing AI for transformation and upgrading. Mr. Sun pointed out that to make AI benefit society as a whole, it is essential to promote AI education and awareness at all levels of society, enabling different groups to "understand, use, and utilize AI effectively". To achieve this, Hong Kong will broadcast the "AI Classroom" for free, transforming complex technological knowledge into easy-to-understand content through discussions with AI experts. They will also launch activities for citizens to experience AI firsthand, integrating AI into households and daily life. In terms of AI talent education, the government is promoting a comprehensive AI education strategy. The Education Bureau has introduced various programs at the primary and secondary school levels to cultivate students' computational thinking and develop their knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards utilizing AI in a comprehensive manner. Furthermore, from 2025 to 2028, the University Grants Committee will fund 27 new bachelor's degree programs related to STEAM, including AI, creative industries, and data science. Mr. Sun also emphasized that as AI integrates with different industries, it is crucial to ensure technological development progresses within a safe and compliant framework. The government places great importance on the governance and risk prevention of AI applications, ensuring that AI is used well and risks are carefully managed. The Innovation and Technology Bureau has developed the "AI Ethics Framework" and the "Guidelines for the Development and Application of Generative AI Technology in Hong Kong" to provide practical guidance for AI developers, service providers, and users in recognizing and managing potential risks and considerations related to AI projects. For different areas with different categories of AI, such as risk classification, generative AI content, and accident reporting, there are varying levels and methods of regulation. The government will consult the AI Research Institute on matters related to AI risks, safe application, governance standards, etc., and will collaborate fully with the cross-department working group established by the Department of Justice to review the legal framework required to support a broader application of AI in Hong Kong. Regarding sectors that are more significantly impacted by AI, such as financial stability and data security, the government will consider researching and implementing dedicated legislation and administrative measures to address these concerns.