(Hong Kong, 9 October 2026) — Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced expanded support for “Talent Foundry”, a comprehensive talent development and workforce-readiness programme, under the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). AWS will provide learning resources for 500 program participants, supporting the HKSAR Government’s inclusive “AI for All” initiative to accelerate local AI talent development and adoption.
Under the HKSTP partnership framework, AWS is introducing enhanced services for Talent Foundry participants. These include the AWS Academy Generative AI curriculum and 500 12-month AWS Skill Builder subscriptions, with total educational resources valued at over US$200,000.
AWS today held the “Future Builders: The AI Career Dialogue” event at the Hong Kong Science Park. The event brought together tertiary students, fresh graduates, and startup founders to explore career development opportunities in the AI era. Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, and Dr. Werner Vogels, Chief Technology Officer of Amazon, delivered keynote speeches on-site, with Dr. Vogels also engaging with young participants on cutting-edge technology trends and AI career opportunities. In addition, Mr. Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, delivered remarks, while Mr. Chris So, Managing Director of AWS Hong Kong, announced the deepened collaboration with HKSTP to strengthen support for the Talent Foundry programme.
Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said, “The HKSAR Government is promoting AI as a core industry for Hong Kong's future development and empowering different sectors of the economy through AI technology. A key to this vision is our "AI for All" strategy championed in the 2026 Policy Address. AI should be an open floor for the general public, university students, young researchers and professionals for their daily life and professional empowerment. In this process, partnerships amongst the Government, industry, academia and investment sectors are important. This is why we are thrilled to see global tech champions like AWS collaborating with HKSTP, our ecosystem catalyst, giving our talents the practical runway to transform bold AI concepts into real-world solutions that benefit our entire community.”
This initiative marks the latest milestone in the partnership between AWS and HKSTP under their Joint Innovation Center (JIC), underscoring their shared, long-term commitment to developing AI talent. The Talent Foundry programme guides participants through a three-stage framework— “Cultivation, Industrial Practice, and Realisation”. AWS will continue to work closely with HKSTP to equip emerging talents with practical skill training and industry resources, helping them translate AI knowledge into practical capabilities and accelerate their career journey in I&T.
Since its launch by HKSTP in 2025, Talent Foundry, supported by local tertiary institutions and corporate partners, has conducted more than 50 workplace skills bootcamps as of August this year. It has trained nearly 2,000 university students, with cumulative learning hours exceeding 11,000. Under the Government's “AI for All” initiative, Talent Foundry will deepen its focus on “AI+” and emerging technologies, supporting university students, researchers, and young professionals in pursuing professional transitions and creating a more sustainable I&T talent pipeline for Hong Kong.
Chris So, Managing Director of AWS Hong Kong, said, “AWS and HKSTP have built a deep partnership over years of collaboration in cultivating Hong Kong’s tech talent. With 250 Talent Foundry students already enrolled in AWS courses, the results have been truly encouraging. By expanding our Joint Innovation Center partnership and boosting our support for Talent Foundry, we are excited to bring industry-leading generative AI training and cloud resources to local youth. This will equip them with essential skills, speed up their transition from the classroom to a tech career, and solidify Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub.”
Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, said, “Talent is the foundation of every thriving technology ecosystem. Through a series of interconnected initiatives, such as internship opportunities and job fairs, HKSTP is creating a seamless pathway from campus to career for young talent. With the support of the HKSAR Government and industry partners, Talent Foundry serves as a strategic catalyst for the ‘AI for All’ initiative, further sharpening its focus on ‘AI+’ to help university students and young innovators master AI knowledge and translate it into real-world industrial applications. We will soon be launching an AI Masterclass, offering multiple workshops and technical training sessions to nurture talent who will lead the AI-driven future and to strengthen Hong Kong’s I&T talent pool.”
