The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has partnered with Microsoft Hong Kong to launch the Microsoft AI Adoption Programme, aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity and operational efficiency. The programme includes three thematic workshops featuring industry experts who will share practical insights on applying AI in real-world scenarios to improve workflow efficiency. Additionally, exclusive AI solution offers will be provided to help companies accelerate AI adoption and drive digital transformation.
Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, emphasized the council's commitment to supporting companies through its Transformation Sandbox (T-box) in areas such as market expansion, brand building, operational upgrading, and digital transformation. Following a previous collaboration with Microsoft Hong Kong in 2022 on the Go Beyond Your Limits programme, which offered solution discounts to SMEs, this new initiative extends exclusive offers to T-box companies. Lau stated, "This collaboration will empower businesses to adopt AI technology at a lower cost and with greater efficiency, opening up new business opportunities."
Leo Liu, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau, expressed enthusiasm for continuing the partnership with HKTDC to support local SMEs in adopting AI in their daily operations and accelerating their digital transformation journey. Liu noted, "In this rapidly evolving era of AI, we are committed to empowering every company as they take steady steps toward becoming Frontier Firms." He looks forward to deepening collaboration with HKTDC to support more businesses in driving meaningful impact and sustainable growth.
The first workshop, titled “The Intelligence Chain - How AI Connects Every Workflow in Your Business,” was held two days ago. It featured Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Hong Kong; Frankie Lam, Go-To-Market Lead of AI Business Solutions at Microsoft Hong Kong; and Vincent Chak, Solutions Director – Modern Workplace at SOS Group Limited. Through product demonstrations and real-life case studies, the speakers introduced AI solutions for the modern workplace and provided insights into core strategies and best practices for effective AI adoption in business operations.
Two additional workshops are scheduled for March and April. The March session, “Building AI Applications and Intelligent Processes: Practical Experience with Azure AI,” will showcase how intelligent solutions can analyze data. The April workshop, “AI Leading a New Era of Operational Automation,” will explore how automation and predictive analytics can streamline workflows and enhance efficiency. The Microsoft AI Adoption Programme also offers exclusive Microsoft discounts to companies participating in T-box, making AI technologies more cost-effective for SMEs. For details, visit the programme website: https://smesupport.hktdc.com/en/s/sme-microsoft/.
