Over 80% of Hong Kong graduates worry AI and automation will hinder their job hunt

AI screening in the recruitment process and disruption from AI/automation are their top two concerns.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation has sparked both confidence and concerns among graduates in Hong Kong regarding their career prospects.

According to the CFA Institute 2025 Graduate Outlook Survey, 87% of Hong Kong graduates express confidence in their career prospects, slightly above the global average of 81% and consistent with findings from the previous year.

Finance and STEM fields are the top choices for Hong Kong graduates, with 46% and 22%, respectively, feeling secure in pursuing a career in these industries.

Furthermore, 90% of Hong Kong graduates believe they understand what employers seek, higher than the global average of 83%.

The key skills that will enhance their competitiveness in the job market, in their view, include:

• Soft skills (66%)
• AI skills (56%)
• Quantitative skills

AI skills play a crucial role in boosting career confidence, with more than half of Hong Kong graduates believing those skills will give them a competitive edge in the job market, compared to 40% globally.

Nearly all Hong Kong graduates (96%) are confident in their ability to apply AI-led tools at work after completing their undergraduate degree (global: 88%).

Additionally, 65% of Hong Kong graduates show an interest in jobs that offer AI training.

Despite their confidence, 82% of Hong Kong graduates believe that AI and automation will make it more challenging to secure their desired job. This sentiment is notably higher than the global average (67%) and the year before (Hong Kong: 66%).

The top two concerns among Hong Kong graduates when it comes to job hunting are AI screening in the recruitment process (22%) and disruption from AI/automation (21%).

In contrast, global graduates are more concerned about the lack of jobs in their preferred sector (15%), which ranks fourth among the concerns of Hong Kong graduates (13% in 2025). But Hong Kong graduates are increasingly concerned about job availability compared to last year (8% in 2024).

Professional certifications remain highly valued, with 98% of Hong Kong graduates viewing upskilling and post-graduate qualifications as critical for career advancement.

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