HK bets HK$50m on new citywide ‘AI for all’ inclusion drive

The Hong Kong government has introduced a new "AI for all" digital inclusion initiative, allocating an initial budget of HK$50 million to host over 200 events over the next two years. The campaign is projected to directly benefit approximately 50,000 residents by expanding community access to artificial intelligence education, training, and technology.

Announced as part of the 2026–27 Budget, the initiative aims to promote the widespread adoption and understanding of AI across all sectors of society, fostering inclusive development and enhancing the city's digital and intelligent capabilities.

The funding will back specialised application courses, seminars, and competitions through collaborations with public organisations, technology enterprises, and tertiary institutions to enhance AI awareness, practical skills, and responsible AI practices.

In response to the government's invitation, Cyberport, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) submitted formal proposals to the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) to execute the programme under a tiered, collaborative framework.

The first tier, led by Cyberport, targets students, parents, the elderly, and underprivileged groups through online introductory courses, interactive workshops, and campus tours designed to promote baseline AI awareness and bridge the digital divide.

The second tier, managed by HKSTP, focuses on university students, young researchers, and working professionals by offering advanced technical courses, application competitions, internships, and career fairs to translate theoretical knowledge into employable workplace skills. The third tier, driven by HKPC, caters specifically to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporate professionals, focusing on practical training and optimisation customised for real-world workplace scenarios to drive industry efficiency.

Initial phase

Speaking at a Legislative Council committee meeting, secretary for innovation, technology and industry Sun Dong highlighted that public enthusiasm has already exceeded baseline expectations. He noted that the bureau’s collaborative "AI Grand Lecture" broadcast series has seen immense traction since its debut.

Launching its first episode on 9 May, the programme has amassed over 950,000 views across its first four episodes alone, with interactive Q&A segments drawing more than 2,000 participation forms in its opening weeks. Sun explained that the bureau is mobilising the unique resources of all three statutory bodies to ensure targeted impact, and revealed that the government plans to expand the initiative further by partnering with the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) to integrate dedicated AI modules directly into their public retraining platforms.

He also noted that the HK$50 million allocation serves as an initial investment to gauge public response, assuring lawmakers that the government is prepared to inject additional funding into the programme depending on public demand.

To maximise the campaign's footprint, local primary and secondary schools will provide venue support, while tertiary institutions will help organise workshops and recruit university students to serve as programme volunteers. The three organising bodies are also in active dialogue with local, Mainland, and overseas tech giants to establish joint training initiatives.

On the commercial front, HKPC is partnering with major trade associations, including the Hong Kong General Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Hong Kong Young Entrepreneurs Association, and the Hong Kong Computer Society, to run practical workshops and gather direct corporate feedback on evolving AI business requirements.

For low-income families and ethnic minorities, the programme will offer multilingual support, mobile community outreach training, and organised visits to local technology parks, ensuring that innovation and technology enhance the daily quality of life for every citizen across Hong Kong.

Mark your calendars for 24 June! #Content360 Hong Kong returns with a dynamic, one-day event dedicated to pivotal trends—from the silver economies to breakthrough IP collaborations, sports, and beyond. Let's dive into the art of curating content with creativity, critical thinking and confidence!

Related articles:

How will AI reshape the PR industry in HK?
OpenAI files confidential IPO as it outlines next phase of AI growth