Hong Kong can serve as a ‘launch pad’ for AI firms, finance chief Paul Chan says Hong Kong should serve as a hub for the commercialisation of artificial intelligence and as a strategic base for mainland Chinese AI companies expanding overseas, the city’s finance chief has said, while noting the risks and challenges of the technology. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s comments followed a speech on Friday by Chinese President Xi Jinping in which he called for artificial intelligence (AI) to be made a key driving force for all countries to promote shared prosperity and safeguard common security. “In Hong Kong, we are committed to developing the city into a hub for AI research and development [R&D], a launch pad for global applications, a talent magnet and a source of end-to-end financial support,” Chan said in a blog post on Sunday. “[Hong Kong] serves as a centre for AI R&D and commercialisation, and as a strategic base for mainland AI enterprises looking to expand overseas, with the city helping to align cutting-edge technologies and business models with international standards and applications.” Chan said the efficient operation of the international financial centre provided the necessary financial backing for such explorations and commercialisation efforts, which could help attract more technology companies to Hong Kong. But he also acknowledged that while AI was a new engine for growth, it could also bring new risks and challenges to the global economy. No single economy could achieve all innovation on its own, nor could any single economy tackle all risks alone, Chan said, stressing that development and governance “must go hand in hand” and that cooperation and inclusive development should be prioritised. “We look forward to working together with all sectors to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes a new engine for high-quality development, a solid foundation for digital public welfare, and a bridge, pathway and stage for young people to pursue their dreams and for society to progress,” he said. On Friday, Xi addressed the opening of the four-day 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, the country’s largest annual event in the sector. He called for adherence to the principles of “openness” and “win-win” cooperation, underscoring the need to encourage open-source development and collaboration, and stressing that AI must be “secure and controllable”. Xi said the development of AI should not be a “solo performance” by one country, but a “symphony of global collaboration”, and referred to the World AI Cooperation Organisation, formed on Thursday, which involves 29 countries, including Russia, Pakistan and Indonesia. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3361110/hong-kong-can-serve-launch-pad-ai-firms-finance-chief-paul-chan-says?pgtype=live (ICE HONG KONG)

Fonte notizia: South China Morning Post