Legacy systems, cautious mindset hinder HK firms' AI transformation: AI unicorn Wonderful

Hong Kong's established regulatory environment, particularly as a financial center, poses specific hurdles for companies deploying AI agents. These autonomous programs, which can manage tasks from customer service to commerce, lack clear guidance and formal approval procedures under existing regulations. This absence creates compliance uncertainty, slowing the integration of such advanced AI tools into business operations.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is working to bridge this gap through its GenA.I. Sandbox++ program. This initiative allows firms, such as payment operator Octopus, to build and test AI use cases, including those involving 'agentic commerce,' within a controlled environment. The sandbox provides regulatory oversight and infrastructure support, aiming to clarify compliance pathways and foster innovation.

Beyond regulatory issues, Hong Kong firms also struggle with internal adoption. Many companies acquire AI tools on a department-by-department basis, which Wonderful's Mirko Zhao notes leads to siloed systems that are difficult to connect. This approach results in wasted resources and increased costs for cross-system workflows, indicating a need for a more integrated, enterprise-wide strategy to leverage AI for broader operational transformation.