Regulators launch GenA.I. Sandbox++ to foster AI innovation across financial services
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the Insurance Authority (IA), and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport),announced today (March 5) the launch of the Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenA.I.) Sandbox++ initiative.
Building on the success of the GenA.I. Sandbox initiative launched in 2024, regulators jointly expand the GenA.I. Sandbox++ to cover multiple financial sectors including banking, securities and capital markets, asset and wealth management, insurance, mandatory provident fund (MPF) and stored value facilities.
The initiative maintains its focus on three high-impact areas - risk management, anti-fraud, and customer experience - while continuing to advance "AI vs AI" strategies by leveraging AI to manage the risks associated with AI adoption. Participating financial institutions will receive targeted supervisory guidance, technical support, and complimentary access to graphics processing unit computing resources at Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre, enabling them to develop, pilot, and refine their use cases in a risk-controlled environment, thereby accelerating responsible AI adoption across Hong Kong's financial ecosystem.
By fostering collaboration among regulators, financial institutions, and technology firms, the initiative aims to spark new ideas and cultivate deeper cross-sector and cross-boundary partnerships. The initiative encourages the development of both sector-specific and cross-sector AI applications, including AI-driven insurance underwriting and claims processing, suitability requirements compliance assessment during investment products distribution, AI-powered tools for handling MPF and industry-wide use cases such as intelligent customer chatbots and advanced fraud detection systems.
The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue,stated, "The launch of the GenA.I. Sandbox++ marks a significant milestone under our 'Fintech 2030' strategy, reinforcing our commitment to building a vibrant ecosystem for responsible innovation. By bringing together regulators, financial institutions, and the tech community, we aim to unlock AI's full potential to drive growth, efficiency, and customer-centricity across financial services, further strengthening Hong Kong's competitiveness as a leading international financial centre."
The Chief Executive Officer of the SFC, Ms Julia Leung,said, "Expanding the GenA.I. Sandbox to broader capital market participants is a true testament to our collective resolve to drive responsible market innovation and a tech-enabled and future-proof financial market. We encourage licensed corporations to actively participate in this Sandbox to harness the boundless potential of AI in enhancing operational efficiency, bolstering resilience and unlocking growth."
The Chief Executive Officer of the IA, Mr Clement Cheung,said, "The GenA.I. Sandbox++ is a collective drive made by the financial regulators to nurture an environment conducive to AI innovation anchored upon accountability, inclusiveness and prudence. This thinking aligns with our AI Cohort Programme which has generated interest in knowledge sharing and use case deployment, while attracting an inflow of talents that should help to strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong as a regional AI hub."
The Managing Director of the MPFA, Mr Cheng Yan-chee,said, "To further support the healthy and innovative development of AI in the MPF industry, the MPFA strongly encourages the MPF trustees and intermediaries to actively explore the adoption of advanced financial technology solutions. By leveraging AI, MPF trustees and intermediaries can enhance operational efficiency and elevate the quality of services, thus bringing more value to benefit MPF scheme members."
Source: Design image
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
2.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan |
6.7% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
2.2% |
2.0 |
Tai Po West |
15.5% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
9.1% |
1.4 |
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
16.8% |
1.3 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
15.4% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
18.9% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
20.8% |
1.7 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
18.3% |
1.4 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
6.9% |
2.3 |
The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.
For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
