Core Insights - The Hong Kong government has allocated HKD 30 billion for an "Artificial Intelligence Funding Program," with HKD 300 million already granted to approximately 10 projects as of June 30, 2023 [1][2]. Group 1: Funding and Projects - The AI Funding Program aims to support local institutions, research organizations, and enterprises in utilizing the supercomputing resources at the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Center to drive AI innovation and application [2]. - The program has received around 20 applications since its launch, with research areas including local large language models, new materials, synthetic biology, and medical large models [2]. - One of the funded projects has been selected as a top 30 finalist for the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference's Excellence in AI Leadership Award [3]. Group 2: Supercomputing Center Utilization - The Cyberport AI Supercomputing Center has utilized over 90% of its computing power, indicating a strong demand from the research and industry sectors for computational resources [2]. - The center is expected to officially commence operations in December 2024, enhancing the AI ecosystem in Hong Kong [2]. Group 3: Research Achievements - A research team from Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed projects that utilize the supercomputing center's resources, achieving a 28% increase in information accuracy through efficient training of large models [3]. - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has successfully developed the first large model in Hong Kong, significantly reducing experimental time and improving research efficiency by over 50% [3]. Group 4: Competitive Advantages - Hong Kong possesses unique advantages to become a global model for AI applications, including its status as the only region with a sovereign AI system, supported by a robust legal framework and social values [4]. - The Hong Kong government is the largest user of AI, actively promoting and implementing AI applications across various sectors [4]. Group 5: AI Ecosystem Growth - The Cyberport AI ecosystem has attracted over 400 leading AI companies and startups, with more than 120 new AI enterprises established in the past year [6]. - Collaborations with major companies like Baidu, Huawei, and Cisco are being fostered to enhance AI research and innovation [6].

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong government is actively promoting the development of artificial intelligence (AI) through a funding program, with a total allocation of HKD 3 billion, of which HKD 300 million has already been granted to approximately 10 projects, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering an AI ecosystem [2][4]. Funding Program Overview - The "AI Funding Program" was launched with a budget of HKD 3 billion to support local institutions, research organizations, and enterprises in utilizing the supercomputing resources at the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Center [4]. - As of June 30, the program has received around 20 applications and has approved about 10 projects, covering areas such as local large language models, new materials, synthetic biology, and medical large models [4]. Project Highlights - One of the funded projects has been recognized as a top 30 finalist for the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference Excellence AI Leader Award [2][7]. - The projects funded have begun utilizing the supercomputing services, with over 90% of the computing power already in use, indicating a high demand for computational resources in research and industry [4]. Research Achievements - The research team from Hong Kong Polytechnic University reported a 28% increase in information accuracy by enhancing edge foundational models for advanced reasoning [7]. - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology developed the first large model, HKGAIV1, which reduced experimental time from 6 weeks to 3 weeks, improving research efficiency by over 50% and decreasing the relative error rate in speech recognition by 20% [7]. Ecosystem Development - The Cyberport AI ecosystem has attracted over 400 leading AI companies and startups, with more than 120 new companies established in the past year [10]. - Collaborations with major companies like Baidu, Huawei, and Cisco have been formed to leverage their strengths in computational development, large model construction, algorithms, and data science [10]. Unique Advantages of Hong Kong - Hong Kong is positioned as a global AI application model due to its unique advantages, including a strong legal framework, a high density of talent with five universities ranked in the top 100 globally, and the government's role as a major user of AI technologies [8].