Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Wednesday announced that he will chair a new "Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy" as part of efforts to ensure all levels of society understand and make use of artificial intelligence.

In his budget speech in the Legislative Council, Chan said the committee will come up with strategies and create favourable conditions for AI to "empower the transformation and development of industries".

"The committee will comprise experts, academics, enterprises and industry park companies with an initial focus on life and health technology and embodied AI," Chan said.

He said while AI brings new opportunities to the job market and society as a whole, the key lies in deepening everyone's understanding and use of the technology.

To boost awareness and application skills, as well as the responsible use of AI, the government will allocate HK$50 million for public groups to work with technology firms and tertiary institutions in organising AI application courses, seminars and competitions.

Chan also noted the roll-out of STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics] courses at the SAR's subsidised universities, with 27 undergraduate programmes covering areas such as AI, creative industries and data science to be launched over the next few years.

From the 2027/28 academic year, AI‑related programmes will be given priority to be included in the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors for self-financing post-secondary institutions.

Chan said the Employees Retraining Board will also be upgraded as "Upskill Hong Kong", to provide courses involving various skills, including AI application, to "enhance the competitiveness of the local workforce".



Edited by Thomas McAlinden