A recent study by Grant Thornton Hong Kong, titled the 15th annual Corporate Governance Review, highlights a significant technological skills gap among the leadership of Hong Kong’s largest publicly traded companies. After surveying 100 firms listed on the Hang Seng Composite Index, researchers found that fewer than 1% of board directors hold dedicated expertise in artificial intelligence or cybersecurity.

The report underscores a disconnect between corporate perception and internal capability. While 59% of the surveyed companies formally classify AI and cybersecurity as principal business risks, the lack of board-level proficiency suggests that many organizations may be ill-equipped to manage these challenges effectively. The findings indicate that while corporate governance frameworks are beginning to acknowledge the importance of digital transformation and security, the actual composition of leadership teams has not yet evolved to match these priorities. This study serves as a benchmark for the current state of corporate governance in the region, pointing toward a need for increased technical literacy at the highest levels of management to navigate the risks associated with modern technological integration.