Hong Kong ranked 11th globally in digital and AI competitiveness

In the World Digital and AI Ranking (WDAIR) 2026 published November 11 by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Hong Kong ranked 11th globally among 70 economies, and ranked fourth in Asia.

Among the five factors in WDAIR 2026, Hong Kong ranked among the world's top 10 in "Workforce development" (2nd), "Efficiency" (5th) and "Technology & infrastructure" (10th). At the sub-factor level, Hong Kong ranked first globally in three sub-factors, namely "Technological framework", "Practices" and "Education & training", and also ranked among the world's top 10 in "Talent" (5th), "Societal attitudes" (6th) and "Regulatory framework" (8th).

A Government spokesman today said, "The IMD's WDAIR 2026 recognised Hong Kong as one of the world's most competitive economies in the areas of digital and AI developments. Our country supports Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Following the directions set out in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is fully committed to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. Among other things, Hong Kong will enhance the institutional framework for I&T development, expedite the alignment with key national strategies in technology, and develop the new 'three major I&T parks and five key research and development (R&D) institutions' paradigm. In particular, the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and San Tin Technopole will form a co-ordinated development at the upstream, midstream and downstream levels, creating a comprehensive industrial ecosystem covering R&D, commercialisation, pilot and mass production. Hong Kong will also advance new industrialisation having regard to local circumstances, with a view to establishing a framework with Hong Kong characteristics for the development of new industrialisation, as well as take forward the Artificial Intelligence+ (AI+) Initiative on all fronts, enhance the layout of computing infrastructure, support small-and-medium-sized enterprises in accelerating their adoption of AI, and empower different sectors of the economy through AI technology."

Reporter: Zeng Yi

Source: news.gov.hk