HK entrepreneurs lead global peers in AI investment

Hong Kong entrepreneurs are increasingly banking on artificial intelligence to drive business growth, outstripping their global peers in both investment commitment and operational adoption, according to HSBC Private Bank’s Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2026.

The survey of more than 3,000 high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) founders worldwide revealed that nearly seven in 10 Hong Kong entrepreneurs (69%) plan to invest between 11% and 30% of their annual turnover in AI technologies over the next 12 months, compared to 61% globally.

Additionally, 46% expect their AI spending to increase significantly compared to last year, with 98% having already adjusted or planning to adjust their core operations around AI integration.

Rather than viewing automation as a threat to workforce size, local business leaders see AI as a catalyst for expansion. Over the next two years, 58% of Hong Kong entrepreneurs expect AI integration to boost employee headcount - well above the global average of 44%. Furthermore, 55% anticipate productivity gains, while 39% view the technology as a key tool for identifying new markets and commercial opportunities.

However, adoption is not without friction. Implementation challenges remain a primary headwind, with respondents pointing to the integration of AI into legacy systems (42%) and employee resistance (41%) as their leading operational concerns.

Despite these hurdles, broader sentiment remains exceptionally bullish. A overwhelming 98% of Hong Kong entrepreneurs feel positive about their current business prospects - with 54% describing themselves as "very positive"—and 91% expect their personal wealth to grow in the coming years. When looking to expand beyond their home market, Mainland China (44%) and Singapore (43%) emerged as the top target destinations, followed by the United States (37%), India (31%), and the United Kingdom (29%).

This optimism aligns with a broader surge in global mobility. The report noted that 72% of entrepreneurs globally now hold multi-residency status, up from 56% in 2025. Following this trend, 77% of Hong Kong founders plan to secure an additional overseas residency, primarily driven by leisure and lifestyle considerations, with Singapore (16%) and Japan (12%) topping their destination preferences.

On a global scale, the study identified young, high-net-worth women as the most bullish demographic: 74% of UHNW female entrepreneurs aged 18 to 34 expect their wealth to improve significantly, compared to the global average of 44%.

Lok Yim, regional head of HSBC Private Bank, Asia Pacific, said: “Optimism among Hong Kong’s entrepreneurs remains high, with many outpacing their global peers in future-proofing their businesses. AI is a key driver of confidence, as business owners invest in technology to stay ahead of disruption. But technology alone can’t deliver sustained success."

"Those best placed to thrive will combine investment with the right connections, foresight and sound risk strategy to turn opportunity into enduring growth. At HSBC Private Bank, we help clients go beyond their wealth journey by providing access, perspective and connections to the right people, ideas and opportunities, because success is built through collaboration and trusted relationships," Yim added. 

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