Hong Kong – The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has launched a two-year programme aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), working professionals and other groups develop practical skills in artificial intelligence (AI).
The “AI for All” Inclusive Programme was launched at a ceremony in Hong Kong on the 28th of August. The initiative is coordinated by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) and is aligned with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the HKSAR Government’s “AI+” initiative.
HKPC, one of the programme’s implementation partners, will lead the “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” sub-programme. It will focus on business applications, talent development, and technology adoption, with activities targeting SMEs, professionals, labour groups and underprivileged communities.
“AI has become a key factor in global industrial upgrading and driving the development of the digital economy. Helping SMEs to achieve digital transformation and enhance competitiveness through AI is one of the focal points of the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme. This time, HKPC, as the third implementing organisation for the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme, leverages its years of experience serving businesses to provide targeted and professional support to SMEs, helping them seize opportunities in the AI era,” said Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.
“I hope that through the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme, AI will not only serve as an empowering tool to enhance corporate value and competitiveness but also transform into a super dividend that benefits SMEs and the general public. Let ‘AI for All’ become Hong Kong’s vision for ‘Upgrading for All’ and ‘Opportunities for All’,” he continued.
“AI should not be a privilege reserved for large enterprises. It should become a productivity tool that every business, every employee, and people from all walks of life can leverage. HKPC has long been committed to helping enterprises, particularly SMEs, enhance productivity, drive digital transformation, and convert innovative technologies into tangible business value,” said Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC.
“We focus on integrating AI technologies across different industries by providing practical, scalable and replicable solutions that support smart transformation. As one of the implementation organisations of the ‘AI for All’ Inclusive Programme, HKPC will centre its efforts on ‘AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment’, connecting Government, industry, academia, technology partners and social service organisations to help enterprises, SMEs, professionals and underprivileged communities acquire AI capabilities and transform AI into real productivity and business value, thereby advancing Hong Kong’s high-quality development and digital inclusion,” Chen-on continued.
The “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” programme will cover three areas: business and industry upgrading, human resources and leadership, and wider access to AI education.
Under its business and industry focus, HKPC plans to run programmes including “AI+ Industry Boost Training” and “SME AI Connect”. Training will cover the use of generative AI for content creation, data analysis and workflow optimisation, as well as applications across industries including education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and logistics. Participants will also be able to take part in workshops focused on developing and implementing AI projects.
The human resources and leadership strand will include the “Hong Kong Enterprise AI Application Trends Survey” and “AI Talent Winning Tips”. Topics will include the impact of AI on career development, changing workplace skills requirements, AI talent management and strategies for organisational transformation.
For the wider community, HKPC will provide free online learning through its “AI BiteClass” platform. Courses will cover AI fundamentals, generative AI and responsible AI use, including data privacy, bias and transparency. The platform is intended to provide access to SMEs, professionals, senior citizens and underprivileged communities.
The “AI BiteClass” was also presented during the launch ceremony, with experts from HKPC and technology companies including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Lenovo, Samsung, Tencent Cloud and Microsoft sharing AI applications and case studies aimed at SMEs.
HKPC said future “AI BiteClass” courses would cover topics including generative AI, AI agents, workflow automation, data analytics and enterprise transformation. The courses will be available online and through iAM Smart.
According to HKPC, it has organised more than 600 AI training sessions since 2024, reaching more than 32,000 participants. The participants have included SMEs, large enterprises, human resources professionals, industry leaders, students, educators and members of the public.
Further “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” activities will be introduced progressively. Information on the programme and registration is available through HKPC’s AI for All programme.
