Hong Kong unveils first five-year plan with major AI push
Hong Kong's innovation chief briefed lawmakers on the first five-year plan and 2026 policy address, outlining measures to boost AI, digital government and cybersecurity. Key initiatives include a 10-billion-dollar AI fund, massive computing power expansion and new AI oversight.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Innovation, Science and Technology, speaking at a Legislative Council panel briefing on 6 October 2026, outlined major artificial-intelligence, digital-government and cybersecurity initiatives under the city's first five-year economic and social development plan (2026–2030) and the 2026 policy address.
The five-year plan aims to make AI a key industry through an 'AI+' action plan, expanded computing infrastructure and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Sha Ling data-centre park has broken ground, with a target to deliver 18 exaflops of computing power by 2032 – 36 times Hong Kong's current capacity – backed by at least 23.8 billion Hong Kong dollars in investment.
The government will inject an additional 1 billion Hong Kong dollars into the AI funding scheme to support frontier research. It will also assess market demand for computing power, focusing on 'efficient computing, stable power supply and low-carbon transition' to optimise data-centre operations and city-level computing layout.
For SMEs, the government will expand the digital-transformation support pilot programme with matching grants for AI and cybersecurity solutions. The Hong Kong Productivity Council will extend its 'Digital Without Borders' platform, integrating AI-assisted SME advisory services on cybersecurity and technical support. The 'AI with HKPC' programme will offer training and exhibitions to boost AI awareness and adoption.
On AI risk governance, the Digital Policy Office will appoint an AI commissioner to assist the Chief Secretary and policy bureaus. Pilot departments will require bidders for public-facing AI services to make AI safety and ethics compliance declarations. The office will also promote industry-specific AI guidelines, certification and governance frameworks, and issue AI agent safety management guidance with the Hong Kong AI Research Institute.
Under the 'AI for All' programme, the government will offer over 200 training courses and activities, and launch a 'Robots in the Community' pilot to raise public awareness of embodied intelligence. Cross-border data flow will be eased through the Greater Bay Area standard contract for personal-information transfers, while the 'iAM Smart' platform and a 'Digital Corporate Identity' platform will be enhanced.
Cybersecurity measures include a defence plan offering local institutions certification, shared defence tools and a threat-intelligence sharing mechanism. The Digital Policy Office will use AI to analyse repetitive queries at the 1823 contact centre, shifting from reactive complaint handling to proactive problem-solving.