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Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the ‘Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme’ will be enhanced this year to support SMEs in adopting readily available AI and cybersecurity solutions.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in a blog post on 7 June 2026 that the HKSAR Government will allocate HK$300mn this year to enhance the ‘Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme’.
The programme aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their technological and operational upgrades, enabling them to adopt existing artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity solutions to better predict consumer trends, optimise marketing strategies, and automate daily operations.
Chan noted that Hong Kong has been accelerating AI development in recent years across key areas, including computing power, research, talent cultivation, and application. The city has also been actively attracting high-calibre international AI talent, positioning itself as a base for research, exchange, and entrepreneurship. As AI capabilities continue to advance, he emphasised that equal focus must be placed on how the technology is applied, who uses it, and how it can be adopted effectively.
Chan also revealed the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy, announced in the Budget, has been formally established. The committee is expected to hold its first meeting this month, with initial discussions focusing on strategies to apply AI across sectors such as transportation, cultural and creative industries, and sustainable development, in addition to areas including life sciences and embodied AI.
To further promote “AI Training for All”, more than 200 events are planned over the next two years, expected to benefit around 50,000 participants. Additional education and outreach initiatives targeting a broader audience will also be rolled out.
Chan added that a Mainland-based embodied AI company introduced by Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited will soon launch its first overseas fully autonomous robot retail store at the Hung Hom waterfront. The store will feature a robot manager providing 24/7 multilingual customer service.
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