Robert (Mr Robert WANG, Managing Director, AWS Hong Kong and Taiwan), Simon (Mr Simon CHAN, Chairman, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning! It is my great pleasure to join you at the AWS Summit Hong Kong today, which provides a good avenue for participants to appreciate the many opportunities brought by innovation and technology (I&T). I would also like to extend a big round of applause to the partnership between Cyberport and AWS, with the launch of their Joint Innovation Center today. Congratulations!

Among the many emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the most talked-about and influential topics in recent years. As we have noticed, the development of AI is advancing by leaps and bounds. Recognising the great potential of AI, the Government has introduced a series of strategic initiatives to support and drive the local AI ecosystem. On digital infrastructure, our local tech flagship Cyberport has commenced operation of its AI Supercomputing Centre since last December to advance AI research and applications. Its computing power will gradually ramp up to 3 000 petaFLOPS within this year, among the largest in the region. Leveraging Cyberport’s supercomputing centre, we also provide subsidies to eligible users of the facilities, such as local universities, research institutes, enterprises and start-ups through the $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme to encourage the research and development (R&D) of potential groundbreaking AI.

One of the initiatives spearheaded by the Government to support AI R&D is the AIR@InnoHK Research Cluster, a collaboration with leading R&D institutions locally and globally, that drives advancements in AI and robotics technologies. The cluster has already set up 16 R&D labs, including the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI in short). In February this year, HKGAI launched its homegrown AI large language model, named “HKGAI V1”, based on DeepSeek technology with optimisation for Hong Kong’s cultural and linguistic environment. HKGAI has integrated this model into a generative AI document processing copilot application (“HKPilot”), which has already been put into pilot use in all government bureaux and departments. In addition, we have further earmarked $1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute. The new institute will be tasked to spearhead AI development and industry application in Hong Kong, and facilitate upstream R&D, midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes and expanding application scenarios.

In view of the widespread adoption of generative AI in Hong Kong, my Office earlier on commissioned HKGAI to study appropriate codes and guidelines on the accuracy, responsibility and information security in generative AI technologies and practices, based on practical applications and the feedback collected from the industry. Having considered the research findings and recommendations, we promulgated the “Hong Kong Generative AI Technical and Application Guideline” last month, with the primary objective to balance AI innovation, application and responsibility, thereby constructing a governance framework with local characteristics that is suitable for the Hong Kong context for all stakeholders in our AI ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the Government will continue to promote digital transformation and AI development in Hong Kong. While the active participation of the industry is key to innovation breakthroughs, I look forward to the newly launched partnership between Cyberport and AWS, providing a collaborative platform for local start-ups and research institutions to accelerate the application of their research outcomes. Together, we will seize the immense potential of AI innovation and build a smarter and better Hong Kong. In closing, I wish this Summit a resounding success. And for those AWS friends and colleagues coming afar, welcome and wish you a pleasant stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.

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