Chief Executive John Lee today (Sept. 16) announced Hong Kong's first five-year plan and delivered the 2026 Policy Address. Mr Lee stressed that Hong Kong is committed to building an international I&T centre. Over the past few years, the Government has adopted a strategy of balancing AI development and governance, and integrating institutional and industry development. It will step up efforts to promote AI applications across various trades, continue to strike a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting security, enhance Hong Kong's international competitiveness in AI development, and deepen AI application and development.
AI Application in Transport
To advance the large-scale development of driverless autonomous vehicles (AVs) towards commercialisation, the Transport Department has issued nine pilot licences covering over 60 AVs for trials at various locations. As a next step, AV operators' applications for the commercial operation of individual projects will be accepted from this year onwards, while the Airportcity Link autonomous transport system will be put forward as the first commercially operated project in Hong Kong.
The Government will introduce more AV application scenarios, including: the AV connection between the Express Rail Link at West Kowloon Station and the Airport Express at Kowloon Station, expected to begin operation in the second quarter of 2027; and passenger transfer vehicles at the SkyPier Terminal of Hong Kong International Airport, which will undergo autonomous driving trials along the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. This will be the first cross-boundary and expressway AV application scenario.
AI Application in Finance
The HKMA's Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenA.I.) Sandbox was upgraded to the cross-sector GenA.I. Sandbox++, with use cases and participating sectors expanded beyond banking to include securities, wealth management, insurance and MPF. Testing of selected use cases in the new cohort will commence within this year. Ten major insurers have participated in the AI Cohort Programme of the IA and have committed to establishing their respective AI Centre of Excellence in Hong Kong, nurturing talent and sharing experience.
AI Application in Healthcare
The Health Bureau (HHB) will co-ordinate the orderly introduction and effective use of AI technologies in the healthcare sector in collaboration with the Department of Health (DH), the Hospital Authority (HA), the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine and Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), among others.
AI Application in the Legal Sector
A short-term funding scheme will be launched by the Department of Justice (DoJ) to promote a wider application of LawTech (including the use of AI technologies) in the legal sector to enhance competitiveness.
AI Application in Construction
The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) will enhance the self-developed AI+ "HA-PIMAP" Project Information Management and Analytics Platform to adopt AI for analysis of site topography, terrain, landscape, views, wind, and sunlight, etc., to automatically adjust building layout. Starting from 2027-28, AI+ "HA-PIMAP" will be applied to the planning of all new projects.
AI Application in Social Welfare
A sum of $300 million will be allocated to set up the "AI for Welfare Lab" (WelfareHK.ai) to identify AI application scenarios in social welfare services and fund the development and pilot implementation of AI solutions, including analysing the usage of welfare facilities to meet user needs in a more targeted manner.
AI Application in Tourism
Starting from the end of this year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will introduce an AI personalised travel recommendation function on Discover Hong Kong and, by integrating with third-party data platforms, set up a dedicated HKTB smart travel page in map applications.
AI Application in Broadcasting
Radio Television Hong Kong will strengthen the use of AI technologies and new media platforms to enhance production quality and efficiency, and expand its audience reach.
In addition, Mr Lee continued that, in supporting SMEs in AI upgrading and transformation, the Government will enhance the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP) by providing subsidies on a matching basis to support more SMEs in applying AI and cybersecurity-related solutions. The "BUD Fund" also provides more targeted funding support for enterprises in implementing projects involving AI elements. The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) will expand the functions of its "Digital DIY Portal" to integrate AI-assisted advisory services for SMEs, and assist enterprises in assessing and addressing cybersecurity risks, as well as adopting AI. It will also enhance the awareness of AI and its application within the community, particularly among SMEs, through training and exhibitions under the "AI with HKPC" programme.
Promote AI Training for All
Regarding the promotion of AI training for all, Mr Lee said that the Government will roll out more than 200 training courses and activities under the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme by the first quarter of 2028, promoting AI awareness and responsible use in a tiered manner. This will help the general public, university students, young researchers and professionals harness AI for professional empowerment, and support working people and SMEs in applying AI for practical enhancement. The Government will also roll out the "Robots in the Community" Pilot Programme to raise citizens' awareness of embodied AI.
In addition, Upskill Hong Kong, upon its upgrade, will launch an 18-month AI upskilling campaign in the first half of 2027, including a free online training course for all with a focus on the workplace application of AI. Participants who complete the course may enrol for free in short-term, advanced AI application courses across various industries. The initiative is expected to benefit around 40 000 employees.
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