Survey: 65% of HK businesses implement AI-based learning initiatives

Over 60% of companies in Hong Kong (65%) have implemented artificial intelligence-based (AI) learning initiatives, with nearly half (45%) using AI for content generation, survey finds.

Conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management (HKIHRM) from January to April 2025, the "2024/2025 training and development needs survey" covered 115 companies across 17 industries, involving about 62,100 full-time employees. This annual survey aims to understand the overall training and development needs of Hong Kong’s workforce and the key training initiatives for the year.

This year’s survey shows that 73% of companies allow employees to use AI at work, a slight decrease from last year’s 77%. In 2024, only 7% of respondents do not permit the use of AI, down from 12% in 2023.

In 2024, the average annual training hours per employee increased to 18.1 from 17.3 in 2023. Nearly 46% of companies offered up to 10 hours, 20% provided an additional 10 hours, and 34% exceeded 20 hours. Key focus areas identified by surveyed companies include leadership development, bridging skill gaps, and succession planning, with mastering generative AI rising from eighth to fifth priority this year.

When asked about challenges in using generative AI, surveyed companies cited primary concerns including cybersecurity risks, copyright and legal issues, and a lack of expertise and knowledge for implementation.

Additionally, HKIHRM conducted another survey titled “Quick poll on AI training” among 111 companies from 12 March to 3 April 2025, focusing on employers’ views on AI training. 

Around 65% of companies said they have implemented AI-based learning initiatives, primarily motivated by efficiency gains (61%) and cost savings (41%). It shows that AI training is becoming increasingly important, with companies accelerating their adaptation to new technological demands. 

The most commonly used AI tools include content generation (45%), followed by chatbots/ virtual assistants (37%), speech-to-text transcription (27%), learning analytics dashboards (25%), and adaptive learning systems (22%). 

However, businesses in Hong Kong are encountering challenges in integrating AI into their learning strategies, including a lack of technical expertise (52%) and concerns about data privacy (44%). Nevertheless, about two-thirds of companies already using AI expect to increase their applications of AI in employees’ learning initiatives by 2025, including 49% anticipating moderate expansion and 15% expecting significant growth. 

In terms of training budgets, companies are expected to maintain stable funding in 2025. Specifically, 59% of participating firms indicated their training and development budgets for 2025 would remain at 2024 levels, while 17% planned to increase their budgets, similar to the 19% reported last year. Among companies of various sizes, only 55% of small companies (fewer than 100 employees) reported having a training and development budget in 2024, compared to 76% of medium-sized companies (100–999 employees) and 94% of large companies (1,000 employees or more).

Online learning continued to be a mainstream tool, with 90% of companies providing online learning resources. About 76% of companies with digital learning tools utilised webinars or virtual classrooms for employee training, while the adoption rates for training videos and digital learning portals were 60% and 42%, respectively. The usage of AI learning tools stood at 16%, comparable to last year’s rate of 17%.

Chester Tsang, HKIHRM’s executive council member and co-chairperson of the Learning and Development Committee, said: “Despite the uncertainties in the economic outlook for Hong Kong, companies continue to prioritise employee training and development. In the face of economic challenges, businesses also need to leverage AI training to enhance employee skills and efficiency to maintain competitiveness. AI can reduce costs and improve effectiveness, marking a new trend in HR training.”

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