CE Addresses 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum on Innovation and AI in Education and Health

Speech by CE at 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum

Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum today (April 14):

Professor Nancy Ip (Chair of the International Alliance of Academicians), Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides (Co-Chair of the International Alliance of Academicians), Professor Pierre-Louis Lions (Co-Chair of the International Alliance of Academicians), Professor Xiang Zhang (Co-Chair of the International Alliance of Academicians), ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning and welcome to Hong Kong. I'm pleased to join you all at this year's International Academicians Hong Kong Forum.

For the second year in a row, this forum is organised by the International Alliance of Academicians. This year's event brings together Nobel laureates, Fields medallists, and a host of globally renowned experts and academics in the fields of medicine, AI, higher education and more. Among the finest minds from around the world, you are gathered here to promote the transformation of outstanding academic research into application.

Hong Kong is well-placed to hold this important dialogue. Under the unique "one country, two systems" principle, we are the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. We boast five universities in the world's top 100. Our research environment is open and vibrant. Our intellectual property protection is robust and aligned with international standards.

These lay the solid foundation for the development of our innovation and technology ecosystem, and talent regime. The National 15th Five-Year Plan, approved last month, gives strong backing to Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology centre, and international hub for high-calibre talent. More than recognising our potential, this is a call to action for us to devote our efforts into promoting innovation and academic co-operation.

This year's forum puts a much-needed spotlight on artificial intelligence and, crucially, how it brings about innovation in higher education and an ageing population. In our ever-changing world, the application of AI is pivotal for economies to make new breakthroughs in technological advancement.

Hong Kong is taking forward the National AI+ Initiative by promoting "industries for AI" and "AI for industries". As a key driver, the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute will commence operation in the second half of this year. The Institute will be tasked to promote AI+ development and transformation of R&D (research and development) outcomes, thereby empowering industries such as healthcare, legal services and finance to adopt AI.

Photo source: Design Image

As part of the InnoHK initiative, the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government established the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center in 2023. The Center has successfully launched Hong Kong's first large language model, and a series of generative AI applications based on it. HKChat, the generative AI chatbot created by the Center, has over 700 000 local registered users.

We are committed to nurturing a new generation of users, and innovators of AI. The HKSAR Government endeavours to have at least 35 per cent of the students in our publicly funded universities studying STEAM-related subjects by the next academic year. We have also introduced the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies to attract more local students to pursue advanced studies in areas crucial to the development of Hong Kong, with science, technology and digital transformation very much included.

We have also launched the Fund for Innovative Technology-in-Education, which helps universities harness innovative and breakthrough technologies, to transform teaching methods and enrich learning experiences. All to nurture a digitally competent, and technologically responsible generation, for the future success of our young people in the digital economy.

The people of Hong Kong are blessed with longevity and healthy lives. The life expectancies at birth increased from 67.8 years for males and 75.3 years for females, in 1971, to 82.7 years and 88.2 years respectively in 2024. That’s one of the highest life expectancies around the world. As fortunate as we are, we know that chronic diseases could also be more prevalent in an ageing population.

The HKSAR Government is accelerating clinical trials to promote the development of Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. To expedite patients' access to advanced diagnostic and treatment services, we are rapidly expanding our clinical trial capabilities.

Clinical trial, as you all know, is a key process in driving the translation of innovative biomedical R&D outcomes into clinical applications. Just last December, we launched the Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform. It was set up alongside the Real-World Study and Application Centre under the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute. Both are located in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, an area straddling the boundary between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and rapidly becoming a global I&T (innovation and technology) hub.

We work closely with our Mainland counterparts to streamline cross-boundary clinical trials. We aim to provide a one-stop support platform for medical research and development institutions worldwide, and accelerate the translation of cutting-edge medical technologies into clinical applications.

Ladies and gentlemen, we look forward to working with a world of experts and professionals to solve the problems, and embrace the opportunities, brought by the rapid development of technology. I am confident that the International Alliance of Academicians, and all of you here, will continue to play a vital role in fostering global scientific co-operation.

While you enjoy the forum and this special week of gatherings of bright minds in Hong Kong, do take some time to rejoice in this world city as well, which is fast rising as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

The pursuit of knowledge knows no boundaries. Neither should our co-operation. I wish you all a very productive and inspiring forum. Thank you.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, Photo source: reference image

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (July 18) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Source: AI-found images