The Legislative Council Secretariat released its latest Feature Brief on August 21, 2026, titled “AI+: Empowering Hong Kong’s Smart Future,” outlining the Hong Kong SAR Government’s key policy measures in advancing “AI+” and summarizing recommendations raised by Legislative Council members on related issues. The brief also offers a “one-click listen” feature, allowing the public to listen to the full text, selected sections, or a summarized version read aloud by an AI voice.
The brief is framed around the dual priorities of moving “fast” and “steadily,” describing how the government aims to accelerate AI infrastructure and industry development while balancing risk management and governance. Topics covered include computing infrastructure, embodied intelligence, AI governance frameworks, AI training for the public, and collaboration mechanisms within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Computing Infrastructure: Sandy Ridge Data Park
The brief notes that the government is accelerating the development of the Sandy Ridge Data Park. According to a government press release, the park’s computing capacity is expected to reach 180,000 PFLOPS (i.e., 180,000 quadrillion floating-point operations per second) by 2032, equivalent to 36 times Hong Kong’s current total computing capacity.
Based on government press releases and Legislative Council question responses, the specific plans for the Sandy Ridge Data Park are as follows:
The park has a total gross floor area of approximately 250,000 square metres, of which about 88% will be used for high-end data centre purposes.
The successful tenderer estimates a cumulative investment of HK$23.8 billion from project development through the first three years of operation.
The successful tenderer projects that the first three years of operation will generate approximately HK$4.6 billion in economic output and around 180 technical jobs.
The project is being developed by Hong Kong Runjiang Intelligent Computing Technology Company Limited. According to a Hong Kong Commercial Daily report, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 28, 2026, with operations expected to begin in 2029; the government’s tender announcement states that the successful tenderer expects operations to commence within 42 months of land grant.
Industry Strategy: AI+ and Industry Development Strategy Committee
The 2026-27 Budget announced the establishment of the “AI+ and Industry Development Strategy Committee.” The committee was formed in June 2026 and held its first meeting on June 29, chaired by Financial Secretary Paul Chan, with members including experts, academics, and representatives from chambers of commerce, enterprises, and park operators. The committee’s initial focus is on life sciences and embodied intelligence, and it will also study strategies for applying AI in transportation, culture and creative industries, and sustainable development.
The brief also cites two international rankings:
In Part 5 of the Global AI Competitiveness Index published by Deep Knowledge Group, Hong Kong scored 76 points in the city/financial hub AI financial capability ranking, placing third behind New York (99 points) and London (81 points). This ranking primarily assesses AI capability, application maturity, deployment readiness, and market connectivity from a financial, economic, and financial services perspective.
Hong Kong rose from 7th to 4th place in the 2025 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), marking a second consecutive three-place jump following a similar rise the previous year.
Embodied Intelligence Ecosystem
Legislative Council members recommended in the brief that the government accelerate the development of a local embodied intelligence ecosystem, using a “Hong Kong R&D + Greater Bay Area Validation” model to speed up the translation of research outcomes into practical applications.
According to a Legislative Council question response from June 2026, the government stated that there is currently no legislation in Hong Kong specifically regulating the development or application of embodied intelligence; relevant organizations and personnel are required to comply with existing laws applicable to their respective fields.
AI Governance and Regulation
The brief notes that the government has established relevant frameworks and guidelines for AI technology projects to identify and manage risks.
Legislative Council members raised the following recommendations in the brief:
In response to issues arising from AI-generated content, such as deepfake pornographic images, disinformation, and online impersonation, the government should refer to experience from the Mainland and other jurisdictions to study the introduction of dedicated legislation and strengthen regulation of online platforms.
The government should accelerate the development of the embodied intelligence ecosystem.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam convened a steering committee meeting on March 6, 2026, for the establishment of an inter-departmental working group to “review the legal support required for wider AI adoption.” The working group, comprising representatives from various policy bureaux and government departments, will examine whether gaps or deficiencies exist in current legislation and study feasible legal approaches to accommodate AI development.
AI Training for the Public
The 2026-27 Budget allocated HK$50 million to invite public bodies, together with technology enterprises and tertiary institutions, to organize AI application learning courses, seminars, and competitions. Financial Secretary Paul Chan subsequently stated that the initiative is expected to hold over 200 activities across this year and next, benefiting approximately 50,000 participant-instances in total. The Employees Retraining Board will also be upgraded to the “Skills Upgrading Board,” providing skills-based training including AI applications.
Greater Bay Area Collaboration and the “Super-Connector” Role
The brief describes Hong Kong’s role in connecting the Mainland and the international community in the AI field using the terms “super-connector” and “super value-adder,” noting that Hong Kong leverages the advantages of “One Country, Two Systems” and its internationalized data governance capabilities to serve as a bridgehead for “bringing in and going global.”
Legislative Council members raised the following recommendations in the brief:
The government should work with relevant units to establish an “Enterprise ‘Going Global’ AI Database,” building a dedicated AI database covering legal and commercial matters to provide enterprises with market insights and compliance guidance.
The government should actively pursue more convenient and free cross-border data flow mechanisms in the Northern Metropolis to promote joint research and development in frontier industries such as embodied intelligence.
The government should deepen collaboration mechanisms between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Smart Government Services
Legislative Council members recommended in the brief that the authorities expand the application of the “iAM Smart” electronic certificate function and integrate mobile applications across different departments to achieve “one-stop government services.”
