Hong Kong Boosts AI Learning With HK$500 Million Plan Giving Schools New Funding Opportunities
Hong Kong is implementing a huge new education program that will involve the use of AI-powered devices in classes all over the city. With a half-billion Hong Kong dollar plan made public in December 2025, every government primary and secondary school submitting an application will be entitled to a half-million Hong Kong dollars subsidy to go for AI-based teaching tools and materials. To make sure that young people have the skills required in a changing world where digital literacy and AI knowledge are gaining more and more weight in importance is the government’s objective.
The first step of the program is for schools to present their applications by February 2026. After getting the permission, a single payment of HK$500,000 will follow to each school which they are free to use for the purchase or subscription of AI-powered software and hardware. It might be the implementation in the learning space of some AI software, the platform to help the teacher tailor the lessons, or the tool to guide students in building up their AI skills. The money may also be used up by students who would like to join some activities where they get more of AI knowledge and applications.
Moreover, the education bureau has defined standards for the use of the appropriation. The schools involved in the program have to integrate AI-assisted teaching in more than three subjects. They have at least six examples or resources where teachers harness the AI tools to deepen students’ learning. This provision is meant to encourage real-life innovations rather than just handing over the technology for unclear use in the classroom.
The officials maintain the city allocation is only one part of a larger plan to upgrade digital education in the metropolis. Since early 2025, the Digital Education Development Steering Committee chaired by the education undersecretary has been engaged in the work of shaping a framework for digital learning and AI following the chief executive’s move in mid-2024 to prioritize digital skills for students in his policy address.
As for the schools which have already been testing the waters with digital tools, this sponsorship will enable them to widen their endeavors into what could be the next teaching standard. For the others, it might be the initial step of reconsidering the way learners get knowledge and interact with technology. Specialists say that it will be vital to have teachers’ backing while they adopt and use these tools. Since there are time constraints and objectives that have to be met, schools which want to make good use of the money need to come up with prompt plans and engage all the staff members.
To sum up, this funding shift clearly shows a major change in the priorities of the state concerning education. It plans to introduce AI as a usual learning tool and create a student generation who would be digitally literate. If everything turns out well, Hong Kong will be able to show the way for other public education systems on how to embrace technology while not letting down on teaching standards.