AI & Data Science, Blockchain/Smart Contract and Cybersecurity

Digital transformation relies on core technologies, and Cyberport fosters AI, Big Data, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity to drive innovation across industries. Beyond empowering start-ups and tech companies to advance solutions, we connect businesses and individuals to these vital capabilities, helping them stay ahead in the digital economy.

AI & Big Data

AI and Big Data are transforming industries worldwide. Cyberport’s AI community of more than 300 companies delivering innovations to boost productivity and competitiveness across diverse sectors.

To strengthen Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem, Cyberport provides comprehensive funding, incubation, mentorship, and professional support to nurture AI start-ups. Through networking events, conferences, and solutions-matching, we connect start-ups with investors and businesses to accelerate their growth. We have forged strategic alliances with industry leaders including Baidu, Biren Technology, Cisco, Hong Kong Inspur Cloud, Huawei, and iFLYTEK, expanding support for start-ups while driving talent cultivation, R&D advancement and technology adoption.

AI Supercomputing Centre

Cyberport has launched Hong Kong’s large-scale Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre (AISC), commencing its first phase of operations in December 2024. The AISC strengthens Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities in HealthTech, AI, data science, advanced manufacturing, and new energy technology.

To support AI ecosystem development in Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government announced in the 2024-2025 Budget that HK$3 billion were allocated to Cyberport to implement a three-year AISS, which mainly provides funding support to five categories of eligible entities, including local institutions, R&D centres and enterprises to utilise the computing power of the AISC to achieve more breakthroughs in scientific research.

For details, please check out our AISS website: https://aisc.cyberport.hk/aiss/

AI Lab

Cyberport AI Lab brings together the R&D capabilities of AI ecosystem partners in Hong Kong, providing them with an interactive space to showcase AI solutions, launch service products and facilitate AI-related R&D and collaborations. Furthermore, the AI Lab provides AI ecosystem partners and enterprises with a platform to experience different supercomputing tools, explore product innovations, and converge technologies, which could be applied to different industries and use cases to promote the transformation and realisation of innovative technologies, thereby driving new quality productive forces to foster the development of digital economy and smart city.

Other Initiatives Driving AI Development

Shanghai-Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Industry Acceleration Alliance

Established in November 2024 by Cyberport, Lingang Group, and a leading Mainland AI company, this alliance facilitates AI industry development and cross-border collaboration between the two cities.

Cyberport-Cisco AI Networking Lab

Cyberport has joined Cisco to establish this Lab, demonstrating the transformative potential of AI network technologies. The facility offers high-calibre training through the Cisco Networking Academy, equipping engineers and industry professionals with essential skills for the future. Members gain access to advanced networking solutions and expert guidance, including hands-on threat-hunting workshops to help enterprises strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenA.I.) Sandbox

Launched in partnership with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, this sandbox provides a risk-controlled environment for start-ups and financial institutions to develop and test AI solutions, including generative AI. This is aimed at enhancing risk management, anti-fraud measures, and customer experience, with early supervisory feedback offered.

Launch of Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Educational Base cum Baidu AI Cloud Innovation Centre

The “Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Educational Base” is dedicated to the development of new quality productive forces through advanced technology and innovation. At the same time, the Base aims to popularize AI application knowledge among university students in Hong Kong, enabling young people to gain early exposure to AI and nurturing future technology talent within Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem.

Spanning 20,000 square feet, the Educational Base features an AI Exhibition Hall showcasing the latest AI technologies across various industries. It offers interactive experiences and training programmes focused on core topics such as product innovation and technology transfer, providing participants with foundational knowledge and practical skills. The Base plans to invite Baidu's research team, backed by its strong internet infrastructure, to launch a series of teaching and training programmes in 2025. Through partnerships with local tertiary institutions, the Base will offer five course series annually, aiming to equip Hong Kong students with valuable AI knowledge and practical skills to contribute to value-added industry innovation.

Blockchain in Applications

Blockchain technology is increasingly prominent in the digital economy, offering transparency, security, and efficiency across industries, including finance, supply chain management, digital identity, and cultural engagements. By enabling trustless systems, blockchain helps reduce intermediaries, lower costs, and improve transaction speeds.

Beyond digital assets, blockchain supports the use of smart contracts in various ways, including social applications and identity verification. Its development is crucial for driving innovation, empowering businesses, and building a future-ready digital economy.

Powering Hong Kong's Web3.0 Future

Cyberport is dedicated to advancing Hong Kong’s Blockchain and in turn Web3.0 ecosystem. Following the Hong Kong Government’s Policy Statement on Virtual Assets, Cyberport launched Web3 Hub@Cyberport in 2023 to promote Web3.0 growth and attract companies from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas.

Web3 Hub@Cyberport serves as a platform to foster innovation, attract enterprises, nurture talent, and promote industry growth. By providing resources and opportunities, it aims to position Hong Kong as a global leader in blockchain and decentralised technologies.

Blockchain & Web3.0 Community at Cyberport

Cyberport hosts one of Hong Kong’s largest Blockchain & Web3.0 communities, with over 280 companies from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and 20 other countries. These companies operate across key sectors, including green finance, tokenisation, payment systems, decentralised identity (DID), Web3.0 cybersecurity, and cross-chain protocols. The community also includes three unicorns, highlighting its strength and contribution to Web3.0 innovation.

Industry Development

Cyberport is actively promoting industry growth and facilitating the adoption of Blockchain & Web3.0 technologies through several initiatives:

1. Web3.0 Investors Circle (W3IC)
   W3IC operates under the Cyberport Investors Network and connects investors with opportunities in the Web3.0 space. Members participate in project showcases, exclusive events, networking forums, and deal-sharing sessions. To date, over 30 investors have joined the circle. For more information, contact: w3ic@cyberport.hk
2. Web3 Living Lab The Living Lab provides a platform for companies to demonstrate and exhibit Web3.0 solutions. This initiative promotes collaboration and encourages the adoption of innovative technologies across industries. For more information, contact: web3livinglab@cyberport.hk
3. Cyberport Blockchain Support Portal (CBSP) CBSP is designed to support blockchain protocols and related infrastructure. It aims to encourage the adoption of real-life applications in Hong Kong, with partners such as Polkadot and Avalanche already onboarded. For more information, contact: cbsp@cyberport.hk
4. Support for Global Web3.0 Enterprises Cyberport provides a range of services to help global Web3.0 companies establish a presence in Hong Kong. These include office space, funding, networking opportunities, and resources for business development.

Talent Cultivation

Cyberport is fostering a diverse and skilled Web3.0 talent pool to drive industry growth and innovation:

1. Web3.0 Academy
   Offers practical skills and insights through online/offline training, seminars, and industry-recognised certificate courses for developers, entrepreneurs, students, companies, and the public.
2. Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP) Supports university students with pre-camp training, industry mentorship, a week-long entrepreneurship bootcamp at Draper University, demo day, and seed funding opportunities.
3. Web3 Internship Scheme Partners with local and international universities and collaborate with local Web3.0 companies to provide internship opportunities to students.

Public Awareness

Cyberport actively enhances understanding of Web3.0 among the public and key stakeholders through collaboration with industry partners. It supports a wide range of events, such as technology summits, VC forums, academic discussions, esports tournaments, and gaming expos. These initiatives keep the industry updated on emerging developments, foster cross-sector collaboration, and introduce Web3.0 to a broader audience.

As of the end of 2024, Cyberport has supported over 70 industry events, engaging more than 250,000 participants, including Web3.0 founders, developers, industry practitioners, venture capitalists, companies, academia, and more.

Cybersecurity

Demand for cybersecurity is surging as the world goes digital and cities become smarter. From ensuring data privacy and securing transactions to defending digital infrastructure, cybersecurity is fundamental to Hong Kong’s digital transformation and prospects as a digital economy.

Building a Thriving Cybersecurity Ecosystem

Cyberport actively nurtures cybersecurity start-ups and connects their solutions to society. Our cybersecurity community, comprising of various companies delivering solutions in KYC/AML, human-factor security, infrastructure security, authentication, encryption and many other critical areas. These solutions have served banks, businesses, and organisations across sectors.

Embedding security in start-up DNA, we instill a cybersecurity mindset from day one through a “Secure by Design” requirement in the Cyberport Incubation Programme. Incubatees undergo training and conduct systematic product testing during incubation, ensuring fundamental security understanding and reducing potential vulnerabilities.

Strengthening Industry-Wide Cybersecurity

Cyberport organises seminars, workshops, and training sessions to strengthen cybersecurity readiness among start-ups and across society.

Notable initiatives include empowering start-ups with cybersecurity technologies from our Cyberport Technology Network members. We have also partnered with the Hong Kong Police Force on a bug hunting campaign for SMEs and signed an MoU with a Mainland cybersecurity enterprise to enhance Hong Kong’s cybersecurity infrastructure and I&T capabilities.