Threat from artificial intelligence sees Hong Kong education fund doubled as city workers are urged to prepare for world of the future
- Labour secretary Law Chi-kwong announces upgrade to Continuing Education Fund
- Changes will include raising of cap level from HK$10,000 to HK$20,000
An enhanced subsidy for adults in Hong Kong to acquire new skills is the government’s latest effort to prepare workers for redundancy as artificial intelligence and technology develop, the city’s welfare minister said on Sunday.
In his regular blog post, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong said the upgraded Continuing Education Fund starting this month was part of the strategy to respond to the potential impact of AI development on future demand for labour.
“The future development of AI and technology may massively replace many existing job types,” Law said. “One of [the bureau’s] responsibilities is how to make good preparation for the changes in the future labour market.”
The enhancement on the fund includes an increase of the cap of the subsidy from HK$10,000 to HK$20,000, a raise of applicants’ upper age limit from 65 to 70, and an expansion of courses covered by the fund.
The lower age limit is 18. That means that before they reach 71, all Hong Kong adults can use the subsidy multiple times until the amounts reach the cap.
But the subsidy can only be used to cover up to 80 per cent of course fees, meaning the applicants need to pay for at least 20 per cent of the costs.
