The survey reveals a workforce that has enthusiastically embraced generative AI, but also exposes a sharp divide: while overall adoption soars, deeper, more transformative use remains limited, and junior employees carry a heavier burden of anxiety about their future in an AI-driven workplace .

The AI Adoption Gap: Hong Kong vs. the World

The headline figure — 72.7% of Hong Kong professionals using AI tools daily or weekly — is striking . Some reports round this to about 73% . However, the contrast with the global picture is even more dramatic. The HKUST study cites a 2025 KPMG study showing a global average of just 31%, meaning Hong Kong's rate is more than double the international norm . This places Hong Kong far ahead of most developed economies in integrating AI into daily work routines .

Most Common Generative AI Tools and Their Primary Uses

Among those who use AI, the tools of choice are household-name generative AI platforms. ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini are the most widely adopted by Hong Kong professionals .

These tools are primarily used for three core productivity tasks :

• Drafting and organising documents — the most common application.
• Summarising and analysing information — a close second, helping workers process large volumes of data.
• Supporting creative content work — including brainstorming and ideation.

This pattern shows that AI adoption in Hong Kong is heavily focused on general-purpose, text-based tasks rather than specialised or technically complex applications .

Advanced AI Adoption: The Untapped Potential

While initial adoption rates are high, the survey highlights a significant drop-off when it comes to more sophisticated uses. Only about a quarter (25%) of respondents regularly use advanced AI applications . These include:

• Data analytics — using AI to extract insights from structured data.
• Image and video generation tools — creating visual content.
• Agentic AI systems — AI that can execute multi-step tasks with minimal human oversight .

This gap between basic and advanced usage points to a workforce that is comfortable with AI as a helper but has not yet integrated it as a core driver of strategic or technical work . The lack of formal training may be a contributing factor — the HKUST researchers noted that nearly 60% of survey respondents had not received any AI training .

Anxiety Over Job Security: Junior vs. Senior Employees

The survey reveals a clear generational and hierarchical divide in how workers feel about AI's impact on their careers. More than half of junior-level employees expressed concern that wider AI adoption could erode the value of their skills . This deeper anxiety among junior staff contrasts sharply with senior employees and management .

The difference is linked to usage patterns: The survey found that business owners, professionals, and management personnel not only use AI more frequently but also express less concern about its impact on their roles . Those in more senior positions may feel more secure in their ability to steer AI use rather than be displaced by it .

This finding aligns with broader trends observed in related studies. A McKinsey survey from June 2026 found that while over 90% of Hong Kong white-collar AI users engage with the technology daily, only 14% of executives are frequent users — a rate 4-5 times lower than the rest of their organisations . This suggests the people who are most anxious about AI may also have the least influence over how it is deployed.

What This Means for Hong Kong's Workforce

Hong Kong's AI adoption rate is a testament to its tech-savvy workforce and competitive business environment. However, the data also tells a story of uneven progress. High basic adoption coexists with limited advanced use and significant anxiety among junior employees.

The path forward likely involves addressing the training gap. With nearly 60% of workers lacking formal AI training, targeted upskilling programmes could help close the gap between basic and advanced AI use, while also alleviating the job-security concerns that weigh most heavily on younger, less senior employees .

The survey reveals a workforce that has enthusiastically embraced generative AI, but also exposes a sharp divide: while overall adoption soars, deeper, more transformative use remains limited, and junior employees carry a heavier burden of anxiety about their future in an AI-driven workplace .

The AI Adoption Gap: Hong Kong vs. the World

The headline figure — 72.7% of Hong Kong professionals using AI tools daily or weekly — is striking . Some reports round this to about 73% . However, the contrast with the global picture is even more dramatic. The HKUST study cites a 2025 KPMG study showing a global average of just 31%, meaning Hong Kong's rate is more than double the international norm . This places Hong Kong far ahead of most developed economies in integrating AI into daily work routines .

Most Common Generative AI Tools and Their Primary Uses

Among those who use AI, the tools of choice are household-name generative AI platforms. ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini are the most widely adopted by Hong Kong professionals .

These tools are primarily used for three core productivity tasks :

• Drafting and organising documents — the most common application.
• Summarising and analysing information — a close second, helping workers process large volumes of data.
• Supporting creative content work — including brainstorming and ideation.

This pattern shows that AI adoption in Hong Kong is heavily focused on general-purpose, text-based tasks rather than specialised or technically complex applications .

Advanced AI Adoption: The Untapped Potential

While initial adoption rates are high, the survey highlights a significant drop-off when it comes to more sophisticated uses. Only about a quarter (25%) of respondents regularly use advanced AI applications . These include:

• Data analytics — using AI to extract insights from structured data.
• Image and video generation tools — creating visual content.
• Agentic AI systems — AI that can execute multi-step tasks with minimal human oversight .

This gap between basic and advanced usage points to a workforce that is comfortable with AI as a helper but has not yet integrated it as a core driver of strategic or technical work . The lack of formal training may be a contributing factor — the HKUST researchers noted that nearly 60% of survey respondents had not received any AI training .

Anxiety Over Job Security: Junior vs. Senior Employees

The survey reveals a clear generational and hierarchical divide in how workers feel about AI's impact on their careers. More than half of junior-level employees expressed concern that wider AI adoption could erode the value of their skills . This deeper anxiety among junior staff contrasts sharply with senior employees and management .

The difference is linked to usage patterns: The survey found that business owners, professionals, and management personnel not only use AI more frequently but also express less concern about its impact on their roles . Those in more senior positions may feel more secure in their ability to steer AI use rather than be displaced by it .

This finding aligns with broader trends observed in related studies. A McKinsey survey from June 2026 found that while over 90% of Hong Kong white-collar AI users engage with the technology daily, only 14% of executives are frequent users — a rate 4-5 times lower than the rest of their organisations . This suggests the people who are most anxious about AI may also have the least influence over how it is deployed.

What This Means for Hong Kong's Workforce

Hong Kong's AI adoption rate is a testament to its tech-savvy workforce and competitive business environment. However, the data also tells a story of uneven progress. High basic adoption coexists with limited advanced use and significant anxiety among junior employees.

The path forward likely involves addressing the training gap. With nearly 60% of workers lacking formal AI training, targeted upskilling programmes could help close the gap between basic and advanced AI use, while also alleviating the job-security concerns that weigh most heavily on younger, less senior employees .