Hong Kong’s pivot to hi-tech development gets boost as city hosts global AI summit

Hong Kong took another big step in its journey to become an international tech hub on Friday, as the city basked in its inaugural turn as host of a summit under the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).

In his video address to the conference held in the Hong Kong Science Park, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said: “We must harness the power of AI, not just to innovate, but to build – to build more inclusive economies, more resilient communities and a more sustainable future for all.”

“The Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for formulating the 15th five-year plan for National Economic and Social Development supports Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology centre, as well as an international hub for high-calibre talent.”

Hong Kong’s turn to host an event under WAIC, the main conference held annually in Shanghai since 2018, reflected Beijing’s confidence in the city’s strategic development goals.

“Today’s conference is not only a milestone, but also a new starting point,” said Hendrick Sin, a Hong Kong deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress. He said at the event that the WAIC organisers had committed to hold the summit annually in Hong Kong.