The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced on 15 October 2026 the “ART” Framework to support the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in the banking sector, fostering an AI-enabled banking ecosystem with Accountability, Resilience, and Trust. The same day, the HKMA began co-hosting a two-day Finance+A.I. Forum with Cyberport, marking the successful completion of technical trials under the second cohort of the Generative AI (GenA.I.) Sandbox.
Three pillars: Accountability, Resilience, Trust
The HKMA notes that AI systems are becoming more autonomous, with greater access to data, tools and workflows. The ART Framework aims to help banks seize AI opportunities while maintaining robust governance and operational resilience.
Key initiatives under the framework include:
- Updated supervisory guidance: Issuing the latest Supervisory Guidance for Responsible Adoption of Artificial Intelligence, drawing on insights from the second cohort of the GenA.I. Sandbox.
- Training-data sharing platform: An AI training data sharing platform in collaboration with Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) and the University of Hong Kong, with data quality assurance as a core design principle.
- Agentic AI testing and governance discussion: Further testing of agentic AI applications through the GenA.I. Sandbox++, and an upcoming discussion paper on a proposed supervisory framework for agentic AI governance, exploring intent-anchored accountability, a registry of material AI agents, and effective intervention mechanisms.
Sandbox evidence: more than 60% of use cases explored agentic AI
The Finance+A.I. Forum runs on 15 and 16 October, co-hosted by the HKMA and Cyberport. The HKMA says technical trials under the second GenA.I. Sandbox cohort delivered positive results. Notably, more than 60% of the use cases explored agentic AI, reflecting the industry’s pursuit of advanced applications such as automated planning and the execution of multi-step tasks within defined boundaries and controls.
Figure: Left — collaborative curation of shared training data (illustration); right — agentic pathways advancing through checkpoints under human oversight — editorial illustration with no text or logos; not an actual system or forum photo.
Fintech 2030: from generative to agentic
Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuen said the progression from generative to agentic AI represents an important new stage of innovation for the banking sector. Under Fintech 2030, the HKMA is introducing the ART Framework — Accountability, Resiliency and Trust — to provide a clear foundation for banks to develop and deploy AI responsibly. By pairing innovation with clear accountability, resilient operating models and effective human oversight, banks can realise the benefits of AI while maintaining trust and the stability of Hong Kong’s financial system.
The agentic-AI governance directions described in the discussion paper are framed as a proposed supervisory framework under exploration; this article follows the HKMA press release and Government press release wording and does not treat them as finalised rules.
Primary sources:
- Government press release (EN), “HKMA announces ‘ART’ Framework to promote responsible AI adoption”, 2026-10-15, https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/15/P2026101500186.htm
- HKMA press release, 15 October 2026, https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2026/10/20261015-3/
- Government press release (CHI), https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/15/P2026101500191.htm
