Hong Kong is witnessing a surge in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) professionals, with more than 2,000 jobs available as the city speeds up its drive to become an innovation and technology hub. The vacancies will be showcased at the upcoming Cyberport Career Fair on Friday and Saturday, where over 580 organizations, including start-ups, technology companies, government departments, and big corporations such as Hang Seng Bank and Centaline Property, will be hunting for talent.
Almost 70 percent of the recruiters at the fair are in need of AI talent, and 60 percent of the jobs directly involve AI applications, according to Ricky Choi, Cyberport's smart-living director. Choi reported a shift in business direction, with 67 percent of the employers coming from the smart-living sector, which covers environmental technology, retail, healthcare, robotics, Internet of Things, and education technology. Significantly, the education technology industry represents 29 percent of the job postings, the highest percentage across industries.
As AI gains more prominence, Hong Kong professionals are becoming more attracted to the industry. A poll conducted by digital job platform TechJobAsia showed that one out of three city professionals is looking to shift to AI-related professions. Pay for AI jobs is also keeping pace with increasing demand, with some jobs paying up to 24 percent more than non-AI jobs. Entry-level AI engineers can look forward to a monthly salary between HK$24,000 (US$3,088) and HK$31,000.
Industry experts stress the need for new blood in order to fuel AI innovation. DefyPay blockchain start-up CEO Perry Chan pointed out that job applicants do not necessarily require a particular academic background. Rather, employers are seeking individuals with analytical skills and a willingness to adapt to new technologies.
The Hong Kong government has also committed significant investment in AI research. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, in the 2025-26 budget, stated that the government would spend HK$1 billion to set up a Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, as well as other multi-billion-dollar tech initiatives. In an address at the Technology for Change conference, Chan highlighted five core areas of focus: talent, supercomputing power, algorithms, data, and capital.
In addition to capital investments, the government also wants to create an environment that promotes AI research, development, and application. Supported by both public and private funds, Hong Kong is quickly establishing itself as one of the dominant players in the global AI sector.
