DistantNews
Support us
Over 90% of Hong Kong organisations use AI tools despite training and policy gaps, survey finds
🇭🇰 Hong Kong /Technology

Over 90% of Hong Kong organisations use AI tools despite training and policy gaps, survey finds

From Hong Kong Free Press · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A survey found that 94% of Hong Kong organizations use AI tools, but many lack internal policies and employee training.
  • Employees at nearly half of surveyed organizations have used unauthorized AI tools, posing security risks.
  • Initiatives are being launched to provide training, policy guidance, and cybersecurity awareness for AI adoption.

Artificial intelligence has rapidly permeated Hong Kong's corporate and institutional landscape, with a striking 94 percent of organizations now incorporating AI tools into their daily operations. This widespread adoption, revealed by a survey of 800 entities conducted by the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC), highlights the pervasive influence of AI across businesses, schools, and NGOs.

However, the survey also exposed significant gaps in governance and preparedness. A substantial 63 percent of organizations have yet to establish internal AI usage policies for their employees, while an even larger majority, 68 percent, have not provided any AI-specific training. This lack of formal guidance has led to concerning security risks, with employees at almost half of the surveyed organizations reportedly using unauthorized AI tools.

While the penetration rate of AI in the workplace is exceptionally high, most organisations still face security risks regarding governance, tool usage and training.

— Wilson WongHighlighting the dual reality of widespread AI adoption coupled with significant security and governance challenges in Hong Kong organizations.

Wilson Wong, CEO of HKIRC, emphasized these risks at a joint press conference on cybersecurity. He noted that some employees have used open-source AI tools to process sensitive information, such as meeting minutes, potentially leading to data leaks or errors. To address these vulnerabilities, HKIRC is launching the Secure AI@Work Enablement Campaign. This initiative will offer training, assistance in formulating AI policies, and guidance on suitable AI tools and data handling regulations.

Collaborating with bodies like the Hong Kong Police Force’s Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau and the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), the campaign aims to bolster cybersecurity awareness. Edmond Lai, chief digital officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, parent organization of HKCERT, stated that efforts will also focus on public education and talent cultivation in AI and cybersecurity through various publicity campaigns.

The campaign will assist organisations in plugging governance gaps through training, AI strategy and policy formulation tools and advisory services.

— HKIRC statementDescribing the objectives and offerings of the Secure AI@Work Enablement Campaign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hong Kong Free Press. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog