Key facts
- Hong Kong has unveiled a four-step AI talent strategy to counter entry-level job shock.
- The government views AI as a catalyst for economic development.
- Around 36,200 young people in Hong Kong were classified as not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2025.
- By the 2026/27 academic year, 35% of students at UGC-funded institutions are targeted to study STEAM subjects.
- The Vocational Training Council is integrating AI content into compulsory IT modules for Higher Diploma programmes.
- AI-enabled job matching services are planned for the Labour Department's Interactive Employment Service website and mobile app.
Hong Kong has launched a four-step strategy to bolster its workforce's artificial intelligence capabilities, aiming to mitigate the impact of AI on entry-level employment and cultivate industry leaders. The government views AI as a crucial catalyst for economic growth rather than a threat.
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Kevin Choi Kit-ming acknowledged on Monday that AI's proficiency in routine tasks poses a real "entry-level shock" for graduates. To address this, the government, under the guidance of the Youth Development Blueprint released in December 2022, is implementing a series of initiatives focused on education, training, and employment support.
These measures include encouraging University Grants Committee-funded institutions to expand programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), with a target of 35% of students studying these subjects by the 2026/27 academic year. A Fund for Innovative Technology-in-Education, established in 2023 with HK$100 million, supports universities in integrating emerging technologies into teaching practices.
The Vocational Training Council is also incorporating AI into its IT modules for Higher Diploma programs starting in the 2025/26 academic year. Furthermore, the government plans to upgrade the Employees Retraining Board into a platform called Upskill Hong Kong, expanding courses on emerging skills.
In April 2026, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun detailed plans to use AI for enhanced job matching services through the Labour Department's Interactive Employment Service website and mobile application, with a phased rollout anticipated by mid-2027. The government is also drafting legislation to establish a compensation mechanism for digital platform workers injured or killed on duty.