{
  "id": 10815995,
  "title": "Hong Kong’s executives are ‘ill prepared’ for AI era, report finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/hong-kongs-executives-are-ill-prepared-for-ai-era-report-finds-10815995",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-30T00:00:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SCMP Business",
    "slug": "scmp-business",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3369229/hong-kongs-executives-are-ill-prepared-ai-era-report-finds"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new report by Grant Thornton Hong Kong reveals that executives at the city's largest listed companies lack the necessary technological expertise, particularly in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Surveying 100 major firms on the Hang Seng Composite Index, the firm's 15th annual Corporate Governance Review found that just 1% of directors possess AI or cybersecurity skills. While 59% of companies view cybersecurity and AI as primary business risks, only 11% have established specialized board committees to address these threats. Despite updated Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) Corporate Governance Code standards mandating director training and stricter oversight, a significant gap remains between acknowledged risks and the technical expertise at the top. Barry Tong, head of advisory at Grant Thornton Hong Kong, stated that while overall disclosure quality on HKEX has improved, there is a disconnect between recognized risks and the relevant expertise among executives. Only 0.56% of directors have cybersecurity expertise, and just 0.26% have AI skills. Traditional backgrounds in finance, accounting, and economics still dominate board seats, leaving nearly two-thirds of large-cap companies without a single director with technical information technology or cyber expertise. However, director turnover is accelerating in preparation for HKEX's nine-year cap on independent non-executive director tenures, with the average tenure dropping from 6.8 years in 2025 to 5.8 years in 2026. Female representation among directors has slightly increased to 22%, but it still lags behind European benchmarks of 34 to 40%. Tong urged companies to use this director turnover to recruit digital talent and warned that the lack of capability in emerging risk areas could leave firms vulnerable to operational disruptions and increased investor scrutiny.",
  "summary": "Executives at Hong Kong’s largest listed companies have a severe lack of technological expertise, with fewer than 1 per cent of directors possessing dedicated artificial intelligence or cybersecurity skills, according to a new report by Grant Thornton Hong Kong. The firm’s 15th annual Corporate Governance Review – which surveyed 100 major listed firms on Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Composite Index –…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "AI, robotic arms power Hong Kong public hospital laundry and meal centre",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/ai-robotic-arms-power-hong-kong-public-hospital-laundry-and-meal",
        "published": "2026-09-29T11:11:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}