HKSAR accelerates AI development, launches citywide AI training drive

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is intensifying efforts to become a leading artificial intelligence (AI) hub, pairing major investments in computing infrastructure and innovation with a citywide initiative aimed at improving AI literacy and adoption across society.

In a blog post published on Sunday, HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced that a mainland embodied AI company will soon open its first fully autonomous robotic retail store at the Hung Hom waterfront in the HKSAR. The store will be operated by a robot manager capable of providing round-the-clock customer service in multiple languages.

Chan said the arrival of a robot store manager signals a broader trend of AI becoming increasingly embedded in everyday life. He said while the HKSAR is actively promoting AI development to drive industrial upgrading and strengthen economic competitiveness, the government also aims to ensure that technological advances bring tangible benefits to residents.

The latest development comes as the HKSAR accelerates efforts to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem. In recent years, the city has focused on expanding computing capacity, strengthening fundamental research, cultivating talent and creating more application scenarios for AI technologies.

The HKSAR's total computing power has now reached 5,000 peta-floating point operations per second (PFLOPS). Construction of the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster site is underway and is expected to provide 180,000 PFLOPS of computing power by 2032, around 36 times the city's current capacity.

The HKSAR government's AI Subsidy Scheme has approved more than 30 projects spanning large language models, medical AI and embodied intelligence. Chan said that through collaboration among government, industry, academia, research and investment, the HKSAR is attracting more top international AI talent to use the city as a base for research, exchange and entrepreneurship.

Beyond expanding the supply side of the AI sector, the city is also placing greater emphasis on adoption and practical applications.

Chan noted that the HKSAR government's latest budget introduced a dual-track strategy centered on "AI+ Industry" and "AI training for all." The initiative aims to bridge AI technologies with a wide range of industries, promote the integration of technological and industrial innovation, and foster the development of new products, services and business models.

He said that the committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy has been successfully formed and will hold its first meeting soon. Comprised of experts, academics and representatives from business chambers, enterprises and technology parks, the committee will initially focus on life and health sciences as well as embodied intelligence. It will also explore strategies to expand AI applications in sectors including transportation, cultural and creative industries, and sustainable development.

At the same time, under the notion of "AI training for all," HK$50 million (about $6.38 million) has been allocated to organize more than 200 events over the next two fiscal years, benefiting an estimated 50,000 participants.

Meanwhile, the HKSAR is stepping up support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to upgrade their operations through digital technologies. 

Chan said the government has allocated HK$300 million this year to to enhance the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Program, helping SMEs adopt readily available AI and cybersecurity solutions to forecast consumer trends, optimize marketing, and automate daily operations.