Hong Kong to launch 2 AI forums aimed at bridging China and the world amid US tech war
The government-owned Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), which manages HK$62 billion (US$8 billion) of funds, plans to debut a conference for young emerging artificial intelligence (AI) scientists, as the city strives to become a bridge between China and the world amid growing Sino-US technology rivalry.
HKIC on Wednesday said it was organising an International Young Scientist Forum on Artificial Intelligence as part of its push to facilitate interactions and knowledge-sharing between technology companies and local primary and secondary school pupils.
The event will be hosted with the support of the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence. Also known as the Zhiyuan Institute, the non-profit organisation promotes nationwide AI research collaboration and was visited by Chinese Premier Li Qiang last year.
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Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, who unveiled his latest fiscal plan on the same day, said the forum sought to "promote research of AI technology and its development as an industry, including open-source technology, in particular, the design and application of the open‑source chip architecture RISC‑V".
China has doubled down on RISC-V to cut reliance on foreign technologies, as the US tightens semiconductor-related export restrictions to curb AI advancement by its geopolitical rival.
A robot dog seen at an exhibition in Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse alt=A robot dog seen at an exhibition in Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse>
HKIC is also set to launch an International Conference on Embodied AI Robot, which aims to bring together leading technology companies, academic institutions and investors to showcase research outcomes and potential application scenarios.
Embodied AI refers to the application of AI in physical systems, such as robots, that can perceive and interact with the environment through sensors.
The AI and robotics forums would help enhance Hong Kong's international influence in AI applications and relevant areas, and facilitate traditional industries to explore how to leverage technology more broadly to enhance productivity and launch new services, HKIC said.
HKIC did not immediately respond to a request for further details about the forums on Thursday.
As tensions grow between Beijing and Washington, Hong Kong is shifting towards a technology-driven economy to align with national strategic goals, with major investments planned for AI.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, left, and Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui attend a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: Sam Tsang alt=Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, left, and Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui attend a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: Sam Tsang>
Recent breakthroughs achieved by mainland Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek have also renewed hopes that the country could change its fate in spite of US hostilities.
"Hong Kong has been a key point for engagement between the global and Chinese AI ecosystems," said Choi Joon-nak, an adjunct associate professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology who studies the intersection of business and technology.
"Such events create rare opportunities for local, mainland and international leaders in AI to discuss key issues such as AI governance with each other, which is important because these issues potentially extend beyond the borders of any one country."
Hong Kong, which is struggling with an estimated deficit of HK$87 billion in the 2024-25 financial year, announced it had set aside HK$1 billion to establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute. The institute is slated to open by the 2026-27 financial year, according to a source.
Technology development and applications would not only drive economic growth, but also "provide increased support to the long-term development of AI, benefiting the public and society directly", said Clara Chan Ka-chai, chief executive at HKIC.
HKIC was established following the 2022 policy address by the city's leader John Lee Ka-chiu. One of its goals is to encourage technology companies to use Hong Kong as their development base. The team has identified three key investment themes, with hardware technologies such as AI and semiconductors, including RISC-V, being one of them.
This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
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