‘2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit’ Makes Hong Kong Debut HKSTP As Exclusive Strategic Partner

(Hong Kong, 16 January 2026)— The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) arrives in Hong Kong for the first today with the launch of the “2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit” at Hong Kong Science Park. The event brings together leading scientists, industry pioneers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers worldwide to explore cutting-edge advances and accelerate AI’s transition from research to real-world deployment.

As the exclusive strategic partner, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) plays a pivotal role in advancing this international innovation showcase. By leveraging Hong Kong Science Park as a platform for exchange, demonstration and collaboration, HKSTP aims to drive “AI+” across industries—strengthening cross-sector synergy, boosting productivity, and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global innovation and technology hub.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; The Honourable Duncan Chiu, Legislative Council member Technology and Innovation Functional Constituency and HKSTP Board Member; and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP. The event also featured an Innovation Showcase, presenting frontier solutions from three Science Park companies—Digital Domain Holdings Limited, Innovation Team Co. Ltd., and IG Inno Limited—all specialising in AI and robotics, to foster technical exchange and business collaboration.

AI: A Driving Force for the Future – HKSTP Showcases Hong Kong’s “From Lab to Market” Strength
In his remarks, Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: “Artificial Intelligence is a driving engine of the future and a new frontier in global competition. For more than two decades, HKSTP has cultivated a vibrant innovation ecosystem with scale. As China embarks its 15th Five-Year Plan, national priorities clearly support Hong Kong’s deeper integration into the national innovation agenda and underscore the importance of technological self-reliance. These priorities chart a focused path for Hong Kong’s innovation development—catalysing original research, strengthening core technologies, and accelerating industrial transformation. WAIC’s Hong Kong debut powerfully reflects our city’s growing innovation momentum.”

Catalysing “AI+” Applications – Transforming Innovation into Impact
HKSTP is advancing the practical adoption of “AI+” across industries, translating scientific breakthroughs into measurable productivity gains. Home to nearly 2,600 technology companies, including around 500 AI-focused firms, HKSTP supports a thriving community of over 5,000 AI professionals. The ecosystem continues to propel smart city development and enable cross-disciplinary innovation.

Meanwhile, HKSTP is progressing the INNOPOLE project at the San Tin Technopole in the Northern Metropolis—a visionary initiative designed to harness “AI+” capabilities to upgrade industries and diversify the economic growth.

Advancing the “Last Mile” of AI Commercialisation
Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and technology showcases, the Summit serves as a global platform for dialogue on AI development, industrial integration, and governance. A key highlight, the “Business and Industry – Corporate Roundtable”, focused on the “last mile” of AI commercialisation. Professor Hongbin Liu, Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, joined business leaders to discuss how enterprises can overcome challenges related to computing resources, funding, deployment, and global expansion, unlocking AI’s full value amid rapid technological change.