📋 Tender Overview
Following is a question by the Hon Duncan Chiu and a reply by the Secretary for Innovation Technology and Industry Professor Sun Dong in the Legislative Council today September 25
Question
The Opinions on Deeply Implementing the AI Initiative the Opinions issued last month by the State Council proposed accelerating implementation of six key actions and reinforcing eight fundamental support capabilities in order to enable all the people to share in the dividends of artificial intelligence AI development In this connection will the Government inform this Council
1 whether it will study in depth the specific content of the Opinions and the ensuing opportunities and challenges for Hong Kong and explore how Hong Kong should align and dovetail with the actions proposed in the Opinions as well as its proposed drive towards reinforcing fundamental support capabilities including formulation of specific plans and timetables so as to support the country in achieving the objectives set out in the Opinions
2 whether it has reviewed Hong Kongs strategy as well as its effectiveness in promoting AI development including areas requiring enhancement and optimisation in terms of policy support technological innovation talent training capital chain application scenario community awareness and so on and
3 whether it will formulate comprehensive regulations for data protection and governance including data security legislation to ensure the secure and effective access transmission and use of data particularly crossboundary data exchange and flow and establish an internationally aligned data flow mechanism to realise Hong Kongs goal of becoming an international data hub
Reply
President
Having consulted the relevant bureaux my reply to the questions raised by the Hon Duncan Chiu is as follows
1 2 Hong Kong has been taking proactive steps to build a vibrant artificial intelligence AI ecosystem having conducted meticulous planning and implemented comprehensive measures over the past few years
Following the launch of the AI Plus initiative last year our motherland issued in August this year the Opinions on Deepening the Implementation of the AI Plus Initiative the Opinions with a view to promoting the close integration of AI with various industries and sectors of the economy and society
To advance Hong Kongs AI Plus development the 2025 Policy Address advocates the broadening of AI applications to empower industries while consolidating Hong Kongs strengths in AI research talent funding and data etc For example in terms of research we are seeking a provision of 1 billion from the Legislative Council for the establishment of the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute AIRDI in 2026 which will facilitate upstream AI research and development RD midstream and downstream transformation of RD outcomes as well as expansion of use cases The 3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme will also be launched shortly to help local subsidised institutions in attracting topnotch international scientific researchers in areas such as AI to Hong Kong
In respect of financing the Government will launch the Innovation and Technology IndustryOriented Fund to proactively channel market capital to invest in emerging and future industries of strategic importance including AI The Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited as a wholly governmentowned patient capital institution will continue to invest in AI enterprises to support the development of the AI industry
As regards computing facilities Cyberports AI Supercomputing Centre will enhance its computing power and the 3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme has already approved over ten projects to fuel scientific research and largescale AI applications We will also put up for tender a site of about 10 hectares at Sandy Ridge in the North District soon for the development of a data facility cluster providing advanced computing power facilities and promoting the development of AIrelated industries
Regarding talent development in addition to setting aside 2 billion in the Quality Education Fund to support digital education for primary and secondary schools the Government will formulate a Blueprint for Digital Education including establishing an AI literacy learning framework Besides the Government will collaborate with professional bodies to roll out pilot schemes on AI education and enhance AIrelated training for teachers Digital platforms and tools equipped with AI will also be launched progressively under the eLearning Ancillary Facilities Programme for schools
AI application is key in taking forward the AI Plus initiative In addition to expanding AI application scenarios in public services and various sectors we will also enhance the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme to provide small and medium enterprises SMEs with subsidies to apply AI solutions thereby promoting industries for AI and AI for industries
3 The development of AI must be steered by safety and driven by application As the core element of AI technology the security openness and sharing of data are prerequisites for AI Plus development
Our policy objective is to foster proper data management and data usage balancing the needs and risks of datadriven AI development The Digital Policy Office has released the Ethical AI Framework the Principles of Data Governance and the Hong Kong Generative AI Technical and Application Guideline providing guidance and recommendations for the development design processing and secure use of AI services while advocating data flow and secure application
Regarding crossboundary data we have introduced the Standard Contract facilitation measure based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Facilitating Crossboundary Data Flow within the GuangdongHong KongMacao Greater Bay Area to facilitate the safe and orderly crossboundary flow of data We will also proactively explore the complia
