Speech by the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, JP, at the “Tech Fest Summit Hong Kong” (with photos)

Ms Chan (Founder, KORNERSTONE Institute, Ms Catherine Chan), Ms Wong (Founder, REVIVE TECH ASIA, Ms Candice Wong), Mr Teh (CEO, TEH Group, Mr Jeffrey Teh), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all here today at the Tech Fest Summit. This Summit brings together over 2 000 technology leaders and innovators from the Greater China region and across the Asia-Pacific, alongside representatives from more than 100 world-leading technology enterprises, to jointly explore the boundless possibilities of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), cloud transformation, cybersecurity and other emerging technologies.

A glance at today’s agenda reveals that AI plays a central and indispensable role in every discussion. In an era of intensifying global technological competition, AI and self-reliant technological innovation have become the cornerstone for safeguarding technological security, cybersecurity and data security. Their importance cannot be overstated.

Recognising this imperative, the Hong Kong SAR Government has long identified AI as a key industry for development. Through comprehensive efforts in policy, infrastructure, research and development (R&D), and talent cultivation, we are committed to building a robust, secure and competitive AI ecosystem.

On the infrastructure front, Hong Kong currently commands a total computing power of 5 000 PFLOPS. Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre provides approximately 3 000 PFLOPS and has already obtained international ISO/IEC information security certification, offering a stable and secure environment for AI research and application. Looking to the future, the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster in the Northern Metropolis has entered the construction stage and is expected to commence operations in 2029. It is anticipated to provide computing power of 180 000 PFLOPS by 2032, which is equivalent to 36 times Hong Kong’s current capacity. This will provide crucial support for AI development in terms of data and computing power. This infrastructure is well-positioned to attract technology, talent and data from the Chinese Mainland and around the world, creating a powerful industry-clustering effect while contributing actively to our country’s high-quality development and the National “AI+” Initiative.

On the R&D front, the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute (AIRDI) has appointed its Board of Directors and held its first meeting. Scheduled to officially commence operation in the second half of the year, the AIRDI will actively promote collaboration across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the AI industry, discover more application scenarios, and accelerate the practical implementation of AI technologies. It will also strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions, cultivate talent and enhance international exchange.

We are making proactive efforts to align with the National AI+ Initiative by promoting “industries for AI” and “AI for industries” through application. The Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy established by the Government will commence work shortly to formulate strategies for AI-driven industrial transformation and create favourable conditions for growth. Furthermore, to better support enterprises, we will roll out the “Digital Corporate Identity” Platform with an integrated “AI Assistant” within this year. This will enable companies to complete corporate identity authentication and signature verification in a secure, convenient and efficient manner when conducting online business transactions or using e-government services.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to grasp every opportunity in this AI era for the benefit of the society as a whole. In closing, I wish the Summit a great success, and all of you a rewarding and productive experience today. Thank you very much.

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