HSBC plans to make its AI and Emerging Technology Institute operational in Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2027, with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as its anchor academic partner.
The bank’s chief executive, Georges Elhedery, announced the target at Hong Kong FinTech Week on 2 November. He did not disclose how many people would work at the institute, Reuters reported. Source: Reuters via ETEnterpriseAI
On 3 November, HKUST said it had signed a framework agreement with HSBC covering the partnership. The university said the institute’s areas of interest would include AI for banking and finance, cybersecurity, post-quantum cryptography, privacy-enhancing technologies and AI skills development. Source: HKUST
Elhedery said HSBC intended to move the institute to the Northern Metropolis when a suitable site was ready. No relocation date was announced.
The Hong Kong initiative follows HSBC’s announcement of an AI centre in Singapore earlier in 2026. Reuters reported that the bank had planned to hire more than 100 AI specialists there; it did not give a corresponding headcount for the Hong Kong institute.
Elhedery also described the institute as part of HSBC’s wider approach to AI. According to RTHK, the bank is testing how AI agents acting for clients might interact with the bank’s own agents on basic tasks, with security remaining an area of work. Source: RTHK
