For the over 90% of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the growing number of One-Person Companies (OPCs) in Hong Kong, AI often feels like a double-edged sword. On one hand, there is a strong desire to boost competitiveness; on the other, businesses face the frustrating reality of limited capital, high technical barriers, and not knowing where to start.
To bridge this digital divide, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) of the HKSAR Government has allocated HK$50 million to launch the “AI for All” scheme, aiming to let technology benefit all Hong Kong citizens and sectors. Leveraging its extensive experience in industrial and enterprise transformation, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) serves as the core executor for the third tier—”Practical Enhancement.” The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry highlighted that AI should become a “super bonus” for SMEs and the public.
What is the “AI for All” Scheme?
When faced with government initiatives, business decision-makers care most about one question: “How does this directly relate to me?” To make AI truly inclusive and accessible, the Government designed a three-tiered collaboration structure:
| Tier Level | Responsible Entity / Role | Core Mission & Target Audience |
| Tier 1: Basic Awareness | Community & Science Outreach Groups | To promote public understanding of basic AI concepts and narrow the social digital divide. |
| Tier 2: Advanced Application | Cyberport, etc. | To train talents and startups with a technical foundation to deepen practical technology integration. |
| Tier 3: Practical Enhancement | Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) | For SMEs, OPCs, working professionals, and labor groups. Offers tailored industry solutions, practical workshops, and corporate enablement courses focused on immediate application and productivity gains. |
As the key driver of Tier 3, HKPC does not teach complex algorithms or underlying models. Instead, it focuses on practical deployment and commercial conversion. The two-year initiative is expected to cover tens of thousands of local enterprises and professionals, achieving widespread AI adoption and business efficiency.
Three Core Highlights of “AI with HKPC Corporate Enablement”
To help SMEs overcome the fear of AI, HKPC has planned the “AI with HKPC Corporate Enablement” series, building a holistic AI ecosystem spanning enterprise upgrades, talent training, and public education.
▪ Enterprise & Industry Upgrades: Actionable Solutions over Theory
HKPC addresses daily operational pain points in Hong Kong’s key industries—including education, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, retail, food and beverage, and logistics. It offers hands-on “AI Project Action Workshops” covering:
Generative AI Copywriting & Marketing: Using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Midjourney to create brand-aligned social posts, press releases, and ad copy.
Automated Data Analysis & Decision-Making: Processing complex Excel spreadsheets with AI to automatically extract sales trends and customer profiles for precise management decisions.
Workflow Automation: Integrating AI chatbots, automated email replies, and internal knowledge bases to reduce repetitive administrative tasks by over 60%.
▪ Talent Development & Leadership: Publishing Industry Trends for Talent Strategy
Beyond basic operations, management needs “AI Leadership.” HKPC regularly publishes survey reports on Hong Kong enterprise AI adoption trends. These reports analyze regulations, organizational structures, and talent gaps, helping SME leaders formulate forward-looking talent strategies.
▪ Public AI Education: Launch of the Free “AI Quick Study” Platform
For busy professionals, HKPC developed the “AI Quick Study” online platform. Open to all Hong Kong citizens, it progresses from basic AI concepts to office productivity tools, emphasizing “Responsible AI” to ensure data security and privacy.
How One-Person Companies (OPCs) and Micro-Enterprises Use AI to “Multiply Productivity”
In Hong Kong, many entrepreneurs operate as OPCs or micro-teams. However, solo founders must wear multiple hats—acting as CEO, Marketing, Customer Service, and Accountant—often leading to severe time constraints.
“AI for All” targets OPCs as a key support group. Through HKPC’s practical guidance, solo founders can build a dedicated “AI Virtual Team”:
AI Assistant 1 (Marketing): Generates a week’s content calendar and copy drafts within 5 minutes using Generative AI.
AI Assistant 2 (Customer Service): Deploys AI Chatbots to handle 80% of routine inquiries 24/7.
AI Assistant 3 (Data Analyst): Uploads monthly financial data to generate health diagnostic reports and budget recommendations automatically.
HKPC also collaborates with tech giants such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Huawei Cloud to share real-world business cases on building enterprise-grade automated operations using low-cost or free tools.
From “Tool Usage” to “Productivity Conversion”: 3 Key Dimensions for SME Transformation
Many business owners note: “Our team uses ChatGPT, but why hasn’t operational efficiency improved significantly?” HKPC stresses that mastering AI tools does not equal productivity; the key lies in Process Redesign.
Problem Definition: Avoid using AI for the sake of using AI. Identify the top 3 most time-consuming tasks daily (e.g., summarizing meeting notes, answering inquiries, drafting tenders).
Standardization (Prompts & SOPs): Standardize top-performing prompts into an internal prompt library to ensure consistent, high-quality output.
Human-in-the-Loop: Generative AI is a draft generator; final strategic judgments and compliance checks still require human expertise.
HKPC also aligns the initiative with other government funding programs (such as TVP and DTSPP) to help SMEs secure financial support for hardware and system upgrades while building soft skills.
Action Guide for SMEs and Professionals
Taking advantage of this opportunity is straightforward. HKPC has streamlined the application process:
Step 1: Enable “iAM Smart”: Use the government’s “iAM Smart” mobile app for fast login to HKPC and the “AI Quick Study” platform without tedious registration.
Step 2: Browse Free Courses on “AI Quick Study”: Spend 15 minutes daily on micro-learning modules covering AI basics and office productivity tools.
Step 3: Register for “AI with HKPC” Workshops: Enroll key staff or management in online or in-person deep-dive workshops tailored to your industry.
Step 4: Conduct AI Health Checks & Process Redesign: Apply the learned skills directly to real business operations, iterating step by step.
Technology should not be an exclusive privilege for large corporations, but an inclusive tool that empowers society. The HKSAR Government’s HK$50 million allocation, combined with HKPC’s practical execution, offers a valuable opportunity for Hong Kong SMEs and working professionals to leap ahead. Now is the time to embrace AI and transform it into true commercial productivity.
