PSITI Highlights Hong Kong’s AI Innovation Strategy to Power Future Growth at Schneider Electric Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2026

Keynote speech by PSITI at Schneider Electric Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2026

Following is the keynote speech by the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, at the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2026 today (October 8):

Distinguished speakers and guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you at this Summit to share our insights on powering Hong Kong's next growth era through AI innovation. I would like to share how Hong Kong is building a dynamic AI ecosystem, one that supports innovation, strengthens business competitiveness and enables a smarter, more sustainable future.

Alignment with National 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030)

First and foremost, this year marks the start of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which recognises AI as an important engine for economic and social development and calls for the further advancement of "Digital China" and the "AI+" Initiative.

To align with national development strategies and better integrate into our country's overall development, the Hong Kong Government announced its First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development last month. It provides a strategic framework for long-term, high-quality development, building on Hong Kong's unique strengths and enhancing our attractiveness as an international business and investment destination.

At the heart of this strategy is our commitment to deepen "AI+" and digital transformation across the economy and society. Building on this, we will accelerate Hong Kong's development as an international I&T (innovation and technology) centre by strengthening frontier research, technology transfer and commercialisation, through closer collaboration among the Government, industry, academia and research sectors.

People are central to this effort. We will nurture local talent, attract high-calibre professionals from around the world, and open up more opportunities for young people to contribute to Hong Kong's I&T development.

Finally, the Northern Metropolis will provide the strategic space and platform for the next stage of growth.

Driving AI+ Development in HK

We are placing AI at the core of our digital economy strategy and accelerating both "industries for AI" and "AI for industries" to foster Hong Kong's AI development. This means building the essential foundations for AI development, including research capability, computing infrastructure, data, talent, capital and commercialisation, while promoting AI adoption across industries and public services to enhance productivity, improve services and create new business opportunities.

Among all, the Government has formed the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy. Chaired by the Financial Secretary, the Committee brings together representatives from Government, industry and the professional sectors to formulate priorities and strategies for AI-driven industrial transformation, strengthen co-ordination across the ecosystem, and foster the deep integration of AI with different industries.

To build the city's AI ecosystem, the Government has been continuously strengthening our support for R&D (research and development) transformation and the digital infrastructure that underpins it.

In parallel, we are actively empowering public services with AI to speed up Government's digital transformation and streamline processes.

As we scale AI adoption, we are putting in place AI governance safeguards that ensure responsible and transparent deployment. And through our "AI for All" Inclusive Programme, we are promoting AI literacy and broader adoption, so that the benefits of AI can be shared across society.

Research and Development

On the R&D front, the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute (AIRDI) will start operation this year. It plays a pioneering role in Hong Kong's AI ecosystem by advancing frontier AI research, promoting the integration of AI in key sectors, and providing a platform that matches AI solutions with industry needs, thereby driving the commercialisation of AI R&D outcomes.

InnoHK is another major government initiative to develop Hong Kong as a hub for global research collaboration. Its AIR@InnoHK research cluster has established 16 R&D laboratories focused on AI and robotics, bringing together around 1 200 world-class talents.

Under the "one river, two banks" and "one zone, two parks" framework, we are accelerating the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and facilitating the safe flow of research data between its Shenzhen and Hong Kong parks. Together with the San Tin Technopole, this will form an end-to-end ecosystem linking research, pilot testing and mass production, supported by the Northern Metropolis University Towns in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling to nurture AI talent.

Digital Infrastructure

In the AI era, computing power is crucial to Hong Kong's competitiveness. Our total computing power has reached 5 000 PFLOPS (peta-floating point operations per second), of which 3 000 PFLOPS comes from Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre.

To help make use of this capacity, the Government launched a $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme in 2024. It has so far supported nearly 40 R&D projects, in areas such as local large language models, new materials, synthetic biology and medical large models. As announced in the Policy Address this year, a further HK$1 billion will be injected into the Scheme to support the AIRDI's frontier research.

Looking ahead, the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster in the Northern Metropolis is under construction, with the first phase starting operation next year. By 2032, it is expected to provide 180 000 PFLOPS, 36 times Hong Kong's current computing power.

At the same time, the Government will take forward a study on power usage effectiveness, or PUE, for data centres. Guided by the principles of "high-efficiency computing power, stable electricity supply and low-carbon transition", we will also assess the market demand for computing power to optimise the city-level layout of computing power, supporting the sustainable development of our intelligent computing industry.

Empower Public Services through AI

Recognising the immense potential and value of AI in public services, the Government is spearheading the adoption of AI across public services to boost efficiency and effectiveness.

For example, the Digital Policy Office (DPO) is going to launch an AI Assistant for users of "iAM Smart" and the upcoming Digital Corporate Identity Platform , to answer enquiries about online government services, and recommend suitable funding schemes and public service support for enterprises, especially SMEs (small and medium enterprises).

To drive technological reform and steer government departments to apply AI, the Government set up the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team (AIEET) last year. To date, the AIEET has facilitated and implemented the first batch of 30 efficacy enhancement project across 13 departments.

To help government departments swiftly adopt suitable AI technologies, DPO has introduced the "AI Solution Catalogue" and the "AI Toolbox", featuring over 260 AI-related solutions and tools meeting the departments' operational needs. In addition, we are piloting the use of AI Agents within the Government.

AI Governance

To support the responsible development and wider adoption of AI, Hong Kong takes a pragmatic, adaptive and risk-based approach to governance.

The Government has issued the Ethical Artificial Intelligence Framework and the Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Technical and Application Guideline. These provide practical guidance for developers, service providers and users, covering areas such as ethics, data security, system robustness and appropriate human oversight.

In parallel, the Inter-Departmental Working Group led by the Department of Justice is reviewing legislation to support the wider application of AI, while ensuring appropriate safeguards.

Building on these foundations, the latest Policy Address sets out an AI risk-governance strategy with seven areas of action. They address the risks of AI at every level: tackling misuse such as AI-enabled crime, protecting vulnerable underage users, ensuring ethical and safe application across industries, clarifying legal liability, and preparing our workforce for the changes AI will bring.

To drive this work across the Government, the Chief Secretary for Administration will co-ordinate the implementation of the strategy. A new Commissioner for AI post will also be created under the DPO to assist bureaux with the related work.

Together, these measures will help ensure that Hong Kong can foster innovation while maintaining a safe, orderly and trusted environment for AI development and application.

"AI for All" Inclusive Programme

To promote AI awareness and responsible use, the Government will, through Cyberport, the HKSTP (Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks) and the HKPC (Hong Kong Productivity Council), roll out over 200 training courses and activities under the "AI for All" Inclusive Programme by the first quarter of 2028.

The Programme will adopt a tiered, collaborative model to support the needs of different community segments:

• Tier 1 aims to promote AI awareness and a culture of responsible AI use while bridging the digital divide. It targets students, parents, the elderly and underprivileged groups.

• Tier 2 targets university students, young researchers and professionals. It aims to translate AI knowledge into practical skills and employability.

• Tier 3 targets mainly SMEs and working professionals. It focuses on practical training and optimisation tailored to workplace scenarios, promotes knowledge sharing, and enhances efficiency and competitiveness.

Closing

In closing, Hong Kong's ambition goes beyond adopting AI. We are building a complete AI ecosystem: frontier research, world-class computing infrastructure, AI-enabled public services, responsible governance, and a talent base that reaches every part of society.

But no government can do this alone. Turning AI into real economic and social value needs industry, research institutions and the community working together. Schneider is a clear example of how our business leader, the world's most sustainable company ranked by the Time Magazine, can connect the community and contribute to R&D and application of energy and AI solutions to better the world. With our international connectivity and our close links with the Mainland, Hong Kong is well placed to be your partner in this journey. We welcome you to develop, test and scale your innovations here.

I wish this Summit every success today, and look forward to driving innovation together, forward. Thank you.

The Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, delivers a keynote speech at the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2026 today (October 8). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

September's monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes continues to drop

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 8) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index (MGI) for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in September was 5.2 per cent, lower than the 6.6 per cent in August. This reflects the continued efforts by the FEHD and relevant government departments to intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations, resulting in the improvement of the overall mosquito infestation situation this month.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Photo source: reference image

In September, among the 62 survey areas, the area gravidtrap index (AGI) in one area exceeded the alert level of 20 per cent. The decreases in the MGI and the AGI are attributable to the continuous and intensified mosquito prevention and elimination operations by various government departments and stakeholders, and may also have been affected by factors such as weather. Overall, the MGI for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in September was 5.2 per cent, at Level 2 (indicating the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the survey areas was fairly extensive). Relevant departments and stakeholders will persistently intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations.

Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in September was 1.2, which represented that an average of 1.2 Aedes albopictus adults were found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. 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 website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD continues to monitor mosquito infestation and conduct risk assessments in all districts, promptly taking appropriate and targeted mosquito prevention and elimination measures. The FEHD, together with relevant departments and stakeholders, has implemented rapid response measures and targeted deployments, and has continued to intensify mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at suitable locations. The FEHD has also conducted site inspections with relevant departments, and provided them with professional advice and technical support to assist them in formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures swiftly. At the same time, the FEHD has strengthened publicity and education.

The FEHD continues to conduct a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The third phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign was launched on August 3 and will run until October 23. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD will target residences, schools, construction sites, public housing estates, hospitals, illegal cultivation sites, waterfront public and private cargo working areas, land boundary control points, typhoon shelters and cross-boundary ferry terminals to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work. To further enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control, the FEHD and relevant government departments have launched the first and second phases of the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations on March 25 and April 30 respectively. The departments will continue with the work of phase one, including eliminating potential mosquito breeding places and arranging for necessary structural repairs to minimise mosquito breeding places, and will consistently carry out the work of phase two by conducting regular ultra-low volume fogging operations at places with mosquito infestation to control the mosquitoes. The FEHD calls on property management entities to continue actively participating in the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations.

The FEHD currently makes regular announcements on gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus on its webpage. To allow more citizens to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation, the FEHD has strengthened information dissemination by promptly announcing the latest gravidtrap indexes through press releases and social media.

To reduce the risk of transmission of chikungunya fever (CF) and dengue fever (DF), the FEHD continues to step up mosquito prevention and control measures across all districts and conduct vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations within a 250-metre radius of the residences of patients and the places that patients had visited during the infectious period. Actions include removing mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides to stagnant water that cannot be cleared, and carrying out ultra-low volume fogging operations in adult mosquito habitats such as densely wooded areas, dark and secluded places, and abandoned structures to eliminate adult mosquitoes.

The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under plant pots at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and disposable meal boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit DF and CF. DF and CF are commonly found in countries in tropical and subtropical regions, and the risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. If travellers feel unwell after returning to Hong Kong, they should seek medical advice immediately and provide their travel history to the doctor.

Source: AI-created image