Google: 1 in 5 HK citizens are AI 'super users'

As Hong Kong enters the agentic AI era, its citizens are proving to be among the world's most sophisticated users, with 1 in 5 (21%) classified as “super users”. Meanwhile, most of them interested to try time and admin agents, according to a recent Google survey. 

These findings come from a recent Google-commissioned Building the Future: Hong Kong’s AI Opportunities report conducted by Public First, and the first iteration of Google’s global AI & Economy ATLAS study.

Over 80% of this advanced segment regularly meta-prompt, include examples, compare tools, and self-critique outputs, while two-thirds delegate full tasks, automate daily routines, and subscribe to paid AI services. Another 47% are classified as intermediate users, with nearly half of local adults reporting that AI tools save them over an hour per week across their work and personal lives.

As AI shifts from reactive Q&A to proactive partners capable of executing complex tasks, demand is rising for AI agents that manage administrative and coordination workloads. Local interest is particularly strong among adults aged 25 to 34 (90%) and 35 to 44 (81%).

Through Gemini Spark in Hong Kong, consumers are most eager to try AI agents as work assistants for email, scheduling, and admin tasks (65%), followed by personal assistants for bookings and reservations (55%). In the enterprise space, organisations are leveraging the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform to build custom digital team members.

Globally, the ATLAS study reveals that AI delivers significant home-life value, with over 86% of interactions occurring outside of work. People rely on AI for productive household tasks, such as product research and appliance troubleshooting, as well as high-friction administrative tasks such as navigating government services, taxes, and licensing. In contrast, workplace AI usage remains selective, covering roughly 21% of typical job tasks, with less than 10% involving full automation.

To bridge this gap, Hong Kong’s workforce is seeking further training, with 79% of local workers expressing interest in skills development to leverage AI effectively. Accelerating adoption among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) will be crucial to unlocking economic value.

Projections indicate that if SMBs match large firms in AI adoption, it could unlock HK$65 billion by 2035. Additionally, by reducing cross-border sales friction, AI could help SMBs expand internationally, generating an additional HK$590 billion in export income.

Michael Yue, managing director and general manager of Google Hong Kong, said: “While AI has quickly become an essential everyday assistant at home, its workplace potential is still in its early stages. As we step into the agentic era, Hong Kong’s sophisticated user base provides the ideal foundation to bridge this gap. Helping our SMBs accelerate adoption and move from basic assistance to workflow delegation will be key to translating individual readiness into broader economic competitiveness."

The report also highlights AI's transformative impact on education. Integrating AI can free up 5.6 hours of teacher time per week on lesson planning and feedback, lift student attainment by 11%, and narrow the performance gap between low- and median-performing students by 32%. With 88% of local parents viewing safe AI usage as equally or more important than Math or English, Google is expanding its local educational initiatives.

In Hong Kong, Google is set to train 8,000 educators and students this year through the Gemini Academy, focusing on responsible AI deployment. The company is also advancing tertiary education through one of the Asia-Pacific region's largest higher-education deployments of Gemini models, supporting AI-centric course development and Gemini Enterprise integration into teaching and learning environments.

Yue added: “Google’s innovation has long been grounded in safety by design. Through our full-stack ecosystem, content transparency and verification tools, and dedicated skills training for educators and students, Google remains committed to advancing Hong Kong together—driving bold and responsible AI that empowers everyday users, businesses, and future generations alike."

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