'HK Needs 200,000 Tech Talents Within 20 Years'

Science park chief Albert Wong on Sunday said Hong Kong will need at least a five-fold increase in the number of tech talent it now has over the next two decades if it is to grow into an international technology and innovation hub.

Wong – CEO of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation – told a radio programme that while the city only has around 30,000 to 40,000 tech workers at present – this is far short of what it needs to compete in the international arena.

“We are looking at 100,000 to 200,000 in the next 10 to 20 years. This is a big commitment,” he said.

He noted that there are currently far more I&T companies in Shenzhen than in the SAR, and the city needs to develop both short- and long-term strategies to beef up its talent in this area by luring in overseas workers, and by nurturing the next generation.

“We need local people,” Wong said. “We have local youngsters in Hong Kong who are very strong in Stem [Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] subjects and we need to give them the hope that there are career opportunities in Stem.”

Wong said he is confident that both the government and local universities are already putting a lot of resources into training people up in artificial intelligence, but added that embracing new tech is not just important for students, but businesses too.

“Traditional industries, like doctors and lawyers, they should also embrace technology because this is the future,” Wong said.

“The important part is not just about technology becoming an industry, but industries should embrace technology.”