According to a recent survey conducted by the consultancy firm Accenture, Hong Kong businesses are falling behind mainland China in the integration of generative artificial intelligence. The data shows that only 10 percent of surveyed Hong Kong firms have successfully implemented generative AI across multiple business functions. In contrast, approximately 21 percent of mainland Chinese enterprises have achieved similar levels of integration.

Robert Hah, the Hong Kong office lead at Accenture, identified two primary factors contributing to this gap. First, many Hong Kong companies are hindered by entrenched legacy systems—older software and infrastructure that are difficult to update or integrate with modern AI tools. Second, Hah noted that a risk-averse corporate mindset in the city is slowing the pace of digital transformation. While mainland firms appear more aggressive in their adoption strategies, Hong Kong businesses are reportedly more hesitant, potentially due to concerns regarding implementation costs, data security, or the operational disruption associated with replacing long-standing systems. The report suggests that unless Hong Kong firms address these structural and cultural barriers, the gap in technological competitiveness may continue to widen.