Hong Kong to launch ‘Social Welfare AI Lab’, minister says
The Hong Kong government will set up a Social Welfare AI Lab to apply artificial intelligence in the sector, the labour and welfare secretary announced. The move is part of broader innovation efforts outlined in the city’s first five-year plan and the latest policy address.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced the establishment of a “Social Welfare AI Lab” to help the sector adopt artificial-intelligence tools. He made the remark on 6 October 2026 at a National Day event jointly held with the “Say Good Social Welfare Story” competition award ceremony.
“People might think AI has nothing to do with the welfare sector, but that is not the case. We are moving ahead, and the government will set up a Social Welfare AI Lab, hoping everyone can make good use of AI, applying it concretely in welfare scenarios to help themselves and help others,” the secretary said.
The secretary noted that this year is significant because the Chief Executive released Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and announced the policy address, which contains substantial content related to social welfare. He said the government is fully committed to social welfare, elderly care, caring for the disadvantaged and helping those in need.
Summarising the approach as “upholding tradition while pursuing innovation”, the secretary said traditional welfare spending has not been reduced. “If you look closely at this year’s policy address, where measures need additional resources, we increase them; where services need to expand, we expand them accordingly – this is evident to all.”
On the innovation side, besides the AI lab, the government will soon launch what the industry calls a “winter fair”, which pools private funds with welfare-sector ideas. It has also started piloting “publicly funded, privately operated” models, inspired by visits to mainland China, which the secretary believes are worth trying in Hong Kong.
The secretary praised the welfare sector for its growing unity and eagerness to try new methods, saying that once a new approach succeeds, word spreads quickly. He concluded by wishing the nation prosperity and strength, and congratulated all participants and winners of the competition.