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ASTRI Expresses Full Support for Policy Address Investing in I&T to Boost Hong Kong's Competitiveness

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ASTRI Expresses Full Support for Policy Address Investing in I&T to Boost Hong Kong's Competitiveness
Business

Business

ASTRI Expresses Full Support for Policy Address Investing in I&T to Boost Hong Kong's Competitiveness

2025-09-17 21:04 Last Updated At:21:25

HONG KONG, Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has expressed its full support for the Chief Executive's Policy Address. Key measures include accelerating the development of Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Loop), alongside increased investment in technology adoption and emerging industries, reinforcing Hong Kong's status as a leading international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.

The Policy Address outlines an ambitious vision to attract global businesses to Hong Kong by "removing barriers and easing restrictions", and prioritising high-tech industries and advanced manufacturing. It highlights a strong focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and low-altitude economy, advancing their developments and applications.

Strengthening Academia-Industry-Research Collaboration
Ir Sunny Lee, Chairman of ASTRI, welcomed the HKSAR Government's forward-thinking approach, describing it as a significant boost to Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem. He emphasised that these measures enable industries to enhance their competitiveness through innovative technology, create employment opportunities, and deliver tangible economic benefits to society.

"ASTRI remains committed to developing 'people-oriented' technologies, leveraging vast opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area and Belt and Road initiatives. We aim to drive global adoption of Hong Kong's research and development (R&D) achievements, contributing to our country's development of New Quality Productive Forces and supporting the city's economic transformation," said Ir Lee.

He also applauded the introduction of the Innovation and Technology Talents Exchange Scheme for Industry and Academic Sectors, which encourages university professors to engage in corporate R&D activities, enabling a deeper understanding of industry needs. In addition, senior executives from technology enterprises and technical experts will contribute to curriculum development and teaching, strengthening collaboration among industry, academic and research sectors.

"This initiative is a pivotal step in bridging the academia-industry gap," he added.  "Through bidirectional exchange, we can accelerate the transition of R&D innovations from lab to market while nurturing tech talent equipped for future challenges."

Driving AI Application Across Industries
Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, welcomed the establishment of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team and the measures aimed at promoting large-scale AI adoption across industries to improve overall efficiency and productivity.

"ASTRI has developed a wide range of AI technologies, integrating them with other patented technologies such as application specific integrated circuits, Internet of Things (IoT), sensing and communication technologies, to create innovative solutions. This aligns perfectly with the Government's vision of fostering 'industries for AI' and 'AI for industries'," he said.

Ir Dr Suen stressed the critical importance of I&T in maintaining Hong Kong's competitive edge, and that accelerating the development of Northern Metropolis and the Loop will enhance the city's I&T capabilities. "ASTRI is fully aligned with the priorities outlined in the Policy Address and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders across the I&T ecosystem. Our goal is to drive commercialisation of R&D outcomes through enabling wide technology adoption across industries, improving their operational challenges and enhancing efficiency," he added.

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About ASTRI
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI's core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; Intelligent Perception and Control Technologies, and IoT Sensing and AI Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred close to 1,600 technologies to the industry and has been granted about 1,200 patents in the Mainland, the United States, and other countries. For further information, please visit https://www.astri.org.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

ASTRI Expresses Full Support for Policy Address Investing in I&T to Boost Hong Kong's Competitiveness

ASTRI Expresses Full Support for Policy Address Investing in I&T to Boost Hong Kong's Competitiveness

ASTRI Expresses Full Support for Policy Address Investing in I&T to Boost Hong Kong's Competitiveness

ASTRI Expresses Full Support for Policy Address Investing in I&T to Boost Hong Kong's Competitiveness

  • New framework brings together Aon's Risk Capital and Human Capital data with public sentiment analysis from Gallup to create a portfolio view of risk
  • Creates further clarity into how risks compound across four megatrends, how resilience is built and activated and where targeted actions can most effectively influence performance
  • DUBLIN, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, announced today that it is releasing insights from a new, data-driven tool to help organizations build sustainable resilience and unlock growth: Aon's Resilience Quotient.

    Developed in collaboration with Gallup, Aon's Resilience Quotient responds to a critical insight: in a time of increasing populism and fragmented sources of information, quantitative data alone is not enough to make long-term decisions. Combining public sentiment on global issues with risk and people data and analytics enables greater clarity and confidence to invest and grow amidst uncertainty and volatility.

    By integrating Aon's proprietary Risk Capital and Human Capital analytics with the results of Gallup's World Poll covering 140 countries for more than 20 years, the firm's Resilience Quotient captures both objective conditions and subjective sentiment, revealing where sentiment signals hidden risks and potential opportunities to achieve greater resilience. This system-level view enables leaders to spot emerging risks sooner, prioritize resilience investments and move from reactive risk management to proactive decision-making.

    "When making decisions around investment, workforce or managing geopolitical risk, a portfolio view is far superior to a siloed perspective," said Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon. "Understanding sentiment can be an opportunity signal or an early warning. Leaders who are limited to only some of the relevant metrics risk missing the signals that matter most. Aon's Resilience Quotient delivers an integrated view to help organizations act decisively, strengthen resilience and unlock sustainable growth."

    Four interconnected megatrends – Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce – are reshaping the global operating environment in ways that traditional models struggle to anticipate. Aon's Resilience Quotient provides a clearer view of the tradeoffs within these interactions: how trade volatility can amplify technology risk, how climate pressures influence workforce mobility and how sentiment can either reinforce resilience or heighten operational risk, even when the fundamentals appear strong.   

    To illustrate the insights from its Resilience Quotient, the firm published three case studies addressing some of the most relevant and urgent issues facing the 2026 global economy:

    • Realizing the Opportunity of AI: Securing Data Center Growth
      Data centers are the backbone of the digital economy and with nearly $1.3 trillion projected to be invested globally in data centers by 2030, their rapid expansion brings unprecedented risks. Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that resilience varies sharply at the sub-national level, often more than underlying risk. Within the U.S., Iowa emerges as the most resilient destination for data center development, combining very low overall risk with exceptionally strong trade and weather resilience.

      "Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that Iowa's resilience–risk balance is roughly twice the national median, demonstrating how governance quality, institutional confidence and preparedness materially shape long-term infrastructure outcomes," said Joe Peiser, CEO of Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon. "This underscores the opportunity for leaders who understand the combined effect of low risk, resilient trade and weather systems and a strong foundation of public trust — factors that ultimately determine where AI infrastructure can grow at scale."

    DUBLIN, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, announced today that it is releasing insights from a new, data-driven tool to help organizations build sustainable resilience and unlock growth: Aon's Resilience Quotient.

    Developed in collaboration with Gallup, Aon's Resilience Quotient responds to a critical insight: in a time of increasing populism and fragmented sources of information, quantitative data alone is not enough to make long-term decisions. Combining public sentiment on global issues with risk and people data and analytics enables greater clarity and confidence to invest and grow amidst uncertainty and volatility.

    By integrating Aon's proprietary Risk Capital and Human Capital analytics with the results of Gallup's World Poll covering 140 countries for more than 20 years, the firm's Resilience Quotient captures both objective conditions and subjective sentiment, revealing where sentiment signals hidden risks and potential opportunities to achieve greater resilience. This system-level view enables leaders to spot emerging risks sooner, prioritize resilience investments and move from reactive risk management to proactive decision-making.

    "When making decisions around investment, workforce or managing geopolitical risk, a portfolio view is far superior to a siloed perspective," said Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon. "Understanding sentiment can be an opportunity signal or an early warning. Leaders who are limited to only some of the relevant metrics risk missing the signals that matter most. Aon's Resilience Quotient delivers an integrated view to help organizations act decisively, strengthen resilience and unlock sustainable growth."

    Four interconnected megatrends – Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce – are reshaping the global operating environment in ways that traditional models struggle to anticipate. Aon's Resilience Quotient provides a clearer view of the tradeoffs within these interactions: how trade volatility can amplify technology risk, how climate pressures influence workforce mobility and how sentiment can either reinforce resilience or heighten operational risk, even when the fundamentals appear strong.   

    To illustrate the insights from its Resilience Quotient, the firm published three case studies addressing some of the most relevant and urgent issues facing the 2026 global economy:

    "Aon's Resilience Quotient shows that Iowa's resilience–risk balance is roughly twice the national median, demonstrating how governance quality, institutional confidence and preparedness materially shape long-term infrastructure outcomes," said Joe Peiser, CEO of Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon. "This underscores the opportunity for leaders who understand the combined effect of low risk, resilient trade and weather systems and a strong foundation of public trust — factors that ultimately determine where AI infrastructure can grow at scale."

    • Workforce Transformation: AI Adoption and the Next Generation Workforce 
      The acceleration of AI adoption is transforming the workforce, but most organizations face a critical gap between the demand for AI skills and their readiness to adapt. The Resilience Quotient highlights how workforce engagement, trust and institutional preparedness are essential to harnessing AI's potential, making resilience the key differentiator between organizations that thrive through change and those that risk falling behind.

      "Aon's Resilience Quotient equips leaders to navigate rapid AI change with confidence," said Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon. "These insights help create the conditions for early‑career employees to build the skills and confidence they need — so instead of losing a generation of talent, we cultivate one that is more capable and resilient than ever."

    "Aon's Resilience Quotient equips leaders to navigate rapid AI change with confidence," said Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon. "These insights help create the conditions for early‑career employees to build the skills and confidence they need — so instead of losing a generation of talent, we cultivate one that is more capable and resilient than ever."

    • Rethinking Humanitarian Finance: A New Approach to Forced Migration
      Over 120 million people are currently displaced by conflict, climate and systemic crises, reshaping societies and economies worldwide. Aon's Resilience Quotient highlights Venezuela and Colombia to illustrate the tradeoffs between investing resources at the source of migration — supporting those facing institutional erosion, food insecurity and economic collapse — or directing investment to more stable countries like Colombia that are absorbing people fleeing unlivable conditions.

      "Forced displacement results from extreme weather and man-made disasters like conflict and economic failure," said Bridget Gainer, chief public affairs officer at Aon. "If we could leverage the forecasting and financial capability of insurance to better predict and more quickly mitigate the impact of this volatility, we could help create conditions that allow populations to remain and rebuild in their home countries."

    "Forced displacement results from extreme weather and man-made disasters like conflict and economic failure," said Bridget Gainer, chief public affairs officer at Aon. "If we could leverage the forecasting and financial capability of insurance to better predict and more quickly mitigate the impact of this volatility, we could help create conditions that allow populations to remain and rebuild in their home countries."

    "Resilience is not a single blueprint, it's the way systems mitigate, adapt and transform under pressure. Aon's Resilience Quotient functions as a pressure gauge, surfacing the trade‑offs and early signals that help leaders strengthen resilience where it matters most," said Joe Daly, managing partner at Gallup. "We're proud to collaborate with Aon to combine Gallup's global sentiment analytics with Aon's Risk Capital and Human Capital data, turning confidence into actionable insight."

    New insights from Aon's Resilience Quotient suggest that going forward, resilience priorities will shift from static risk management to dynamic, localized strategies. As disruptions become more complex and frequent, organizations will need to tailor resilience investments to specific geographies, sectors and even sub-regional contexts. Aon's Resilience Quotient is supported with a real-time analytics and AI-enabled insights platform, built by Quantum Rise, providing deeper visibility into evolving risk and resilience signals as conditions change.

    Aon and Gallup will join global decision-makers at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting to advance these critical discussions on restoring confidence and unlocking sustainable growth.

    Learn more about Aon's Resilience Quotient and explore the case studies here.

    About Aon
    Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.

    Follow Aon on LinkedInXFacebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon's newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

    Media Contact
    mediainquiries@aon.com
    Toll-free (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico): +1 833 751 8114
    International: +1 312 381 3024

    ** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

    Aon's Resilience Quotient Cuts Through Uncertainty and Volatility to Help Businesses Move from Risk to Resilience and Growth

    Aon's Resilience Quotient Cuts Through Uncertainty and Volatility to Help Businesses Move from Risk to Resilience and Growth

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