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Hong Kong Pledges $6.4 Million to Expand AI Training Across City

Published: Feb. 25, 2026 11:07 p.m. GMT+8

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Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan (second left) and Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui (second right) attend a press conference on the new budget in Hong Kong on Feb. 25, 2026. Photo: VCG

Hong Kong’s government unveiled a sweeping initiative to prepare its population for the age of artificial intelligence, earmarking HK$50 million ($6.4 million) in its annual budget to help the workforce adapt to the disruptions of automation.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said Wednesday that the funding would support public agencies, technology firms and tertiary institutions in organizing AI courses, lectures and competitions. The program is designed to raise public understanding of the technology and ensure that residents can use AI responsibly.

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Hong Kong allocated HK$50 million for an AI workforce adaptation initiative, including public AI education and mandatory university AI courses from 2025.
Eight universities will launch 27 new STEAM bachelor’s programs; HK$2 billion is set for digital education and AI teacher training in schools.
A new Skills Upgrading Board will focus on AI training, and a Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research Institute will open in 2026.

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Who’s Who

Microsoft: Microsoft is one of the major U.S. technology companies that have been cutting jobs since 2025. This trend aligns with the broader shift in the tech sector towards greater automation efficiency, a structural reshaping of the global labor market driven by artificial intelligence.

Amazon: Amazon is mentioned in the context of major U.S. technology companies that have continued to cut jobs since 2025. This trend reflects the sector's shift towards greater automation efficiency, a significant factor in the global labor market's structural reshaping driven by Artificial Intelligence.

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What Happened When

January 2025：: A World Economic Forum report projected that technology could displace 92 million jobs worldwide by 2030.

Since 2025：: Major U.S. technology companies including Microsoft and Amazon have continued to cut jobs as the sector pivots toward greater automation efficiency.

Since September 2025：: The University of Hong Kong began requiring undergraduates to complete a course titled Artificial Intelligence Literacy. Hong Kong Baptist University adopted a similar requirement.

Late 2025：: Eight government-funded universities in Hong Kong will begin launching 27 new bachelor’s degree programs in STEAM-related fields (initiative to take place over the subsequent three academic years).

By 2026：: The Quality Education Fund set aside HK$2 billion to promote digital education in primary and secondary schools and provide AI training for teachers.

In 2026：: Paul Chan will chair a new committee on AI+ and Industry Development.

February 25, 2026：: Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced the HK$50 million funding initiative to help Hong Kong's workforce adapt to AI and automation.

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