Hong Kong's Cyberport has secured $125 million in funding to expand its research in artificial intelligence and Web3, promoting blockchain development and AI talent initiatives. Cyberport is a government-supported business hub focused on Web3, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, aiming to position Hong Kong as a global technology leader. On February 27, Cyberport hosted the "AI Safety, Trust, and Responsibility" forum, discussing AI governance, security, and responsible innovation initiatives with international AI academic institutions. Cyberport is home to over 270 blockchain technology-related companies and more than 350 startups focused on AI and big data research and development. The Hong Kong government has specifically highlighted emerging technologies in its budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, allocating HKD 1 billion ($125.50 million) to establish the Hong Kong AI Research Institute. This institute is dedicated to promoting upstream R&D, translating midstream and downstream research results, and expanding application scenarios. Cyberport's artificial intelligence supercomputing center will expand to a computing capacity of 3,000 petaFLOPS. Additionally, the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA) announced the establishment of the "WDTA Asia-Pacific Research Institute (provisional)" at Cyberport. The Hong Kong government has also allocated HKD 3 billion ($385.60 million) for Cyberport's three-year AI subsidy program to support innovation.

Hong Kong’s Cyberport, a government-backed business hub focused on Web3, blockchain and artificial intelligence, is ramping up its investment in emerging technologies to position the city as a global tech leader. On Feb. 27, Cyberport hosted the “AI Safety, Trust, and Responsibility” forum with international AI academic institutions to discuss AI governance, safety and responsible innovation initiatives. The Cyberport hub hosts over 270 blockchain technology-related enterprises and more than 350 startups specializing in AI and big data research and development. A day prior, on Feb. 26, the Hong Kong government’s 2025–26 budget paid special attention to emerging technologies, aiming to “seize the critical opportunities presented by technological reform and artificial intelligence development.” The Chinese Special Administrative Region allocated 1 billion Hong Kong dollars ($125.5 million) to establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced during the Hing Kong budget speech. Related: Hong Kong regulator unveils ‘ASPIRe’ roadmap to become global crypto hub The institute is dedicated to “facilitating upstream R&amp;D, transforming midstream and downstream R&amp;D outcomes, and expanding application scenarios.” To fuel the Web3, blockchain and AI innovation, Cyberport’s Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre (AISC), which launched on Dec. 9, 2024, will grow to a computing power of 3,000 petaFLOPS and will be able to process 3,000 quadrillion floating-point operations per second. Additionally, one of the co-organizers of the AI forum, the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA), also announced the establishment of the “WDTA Asia-Pacific Institute&nbsp; (preparatory)” at Cyberport. Yale Li, the executive chairman of WDTA, highlighted the institute’s three core initiatives. These include building a “safety-native” technological framework, establishing a “human-oriented” value system and commitment to “responsible innovation.” Cyberport has signed numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with universities and institutions to help students with internship and employment opportunities. Lastly, the Hong Kong government allocated $3 billion Hong Kong dollars ($385.6 million) to Cyberport for the launch of a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme to support the innovations. Magazine: Elon Musk’s plan to run government on blockchain faces uphill battle

Hong Kong Cyberport secures $125 million investment to expand AI and Web3 research