The government's new Budget proposes to develop artificial intelligence (AI) as a key industry and to empower traditional industries to upgrade and transform. The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, posted a blog today (March 2) revealing that in order to stimulate young people's curiosity and interest in theories and applications of technology, the authorities have contacted a number of large technology enterprises in Hong Kong and more than 100 local technology companies and start-ups, and will organize different modes of interactive exchanges and field trips to stimulate young people's participation in the activities. It is reported that major technology enterprises such as Tencent, Alibaba, Lenovo and SenseTime have responded positively to the program.
Paul Chan said in his blog that Hong Kong has increased its investment in five areas, namely, computing power, algorithms, data, talents and capital. In terms of computing power, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Supercomputing Centre (AISC) in Cyberport has just come into operation; in terms of research and development, Hong Kong has the "AIR@InnoHK" R&D platform, which gathers 16 R&D laboratories, and the MRDI, which has just been established, and two pilot lines will be assembled in the microelectronics center in Yuen Long within this year and will be put into operation next year; and in terms of application, the Budget has reserved HK$1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI R&D institute to accelerate the promotion of upstream research and development, midstream and downstream transformation and industrial application of AI. In terms of funding, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) will launch the "special line of science and technology enterprise" to facilitate the preparatory work of technology enterprises to be listed in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) will also promote the participation of more international "patient capital" in the development of Hong Kong's future key industries.
As for talent nurturing, Chan said that he has already contacted a number of large technology enterprises in Hong Kong, and will also organize more than 100 local cutting-edge technology companies and start-ups to connect the best resources in the industry to local secondary schools and elementary school, in the hope that, through different modes of interactive exchanges and on-site inspections, including first-hand contact with technological products, or by integrating the campus programming with practical scenarios, students can "see and touch" AI technology.
It is reported that the program has received positive response from the technology industry, with major technology companies including Tencent, Alibaba, Lenovo and SenseTime responding positively, while the HKIC, the Science Park and the Cyberport will also co-ordinate a large number of technology start-ups to participate in the program.
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