Sun Dong: Hong Kong continues to support AI development in a multi-faceted and multi-pronged approach to promote the deep integration of AI and industry

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on October 15, at the opening ceremony of the International Application Training Center for Embodied Intelligence, the Hong Kong Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong, said that the HKSAR Government will continue to support AI development in a multi-faceted and multi-pronged manner, including R&D, capital and infrastructure. With the development policy of “AI industrialization and industrial AI”, we promote the deep integration of AI with different fields and industries.

He mentioned that currently, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global technology landscape and industrial ecology at an unprecedented speed. The “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” is highly compatible with the country's “15th Five-Year Plan”. It clearly proposes to make good use of high-tech such as AI to promote the digitization and intelligence of public administration to optimize management levels; integrate digital intelligence processes to build an efficient and collaborative smart government; accelerate the orderly and safe application of AI and innovative technology by the government, and comprehensively improve the efficiency and accuracy of decision support and public services.

In this context, the Productivity Council set up an international application training ground for embodied intelligence as the first platform in Hong Kong to focus on real-world applications of embodied intelligence and humanoid robots to provide technology partners with application scenarios, test and optimize technology, accelerate technology commercialization, and assist mainland partners to expand the international market. Currently, the first seven technology partners have entered include humanoid robots, quadruped robots, and intelligent solutions, and work with government departments, utilities, large enterprises, and local and international scene partners to showcase the application of technology in real environments.

Humanoid robots and embodied intelligence are key frontiers in a new round of scientific and technological innovation, and have great potential to change the operating model of the industry and enhance and spawn new types of productivity. With deep roots in basic research in Hong Kong, R&D personnel with rich experience in international research cooperation, and connected to international markets and standards, they have the ideal conditions to carry out technical testing, verification and commercialization. It is hoped that through this training ground, we will promote more successful cases of global applications and inject new momentum into new industrialization.

The Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute will be officially put into operation this year to promote cutting-edge AI research and promote the integration of technology and key industries. The government will also inject an additional HK$1 billion into the Artificial Intelligence Funding Program to support the R&D Institute with advanced computing power to support cutting-edge scientific research and accelerate innovation breakthroughs. Furthermore, the Government has been supporting enterprises to carry out AI-related application R&D and technology transfer through the Innovation and Technology Fund. By the end of April 2026, it had funded more than 390 AI-related projects totaling about HK$1.1 billion. He also expects to officially launch the HK$10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry Guidance Fund within this year to guide more market capital to invest in AI and robotics themed sectors.

He said that the development of embodied intelligence requires not only continuous technological breakthroughs, but also active participation by the industry. The Government will continue to work with scientific research institutions, technology companies and various industries to promote large-scale implementation of technology on the premise of ensuring technical safety and compliance.