Media OutReach
HKPC Releases “AI Readiness in Workplace Survey 2025” AI Adoption Approaches 90%, Talent Shortage is the Biggest Challenge; Eight Key Recommendations to Deeply Integrate AI with Industry Digital Transformation
As AI emerges as the core engine of a new wave of industrial transformation, the HKSAR Government’s latest Policy Address explicitly designates AI as a pillar industry for Hong Kong’s future development. In light of this trajectory, local enterprises face mounting urgency to accelerate AI deployment, embed AI into core operations, and build sustainable, AI-driven competitiveness. To assess the current state of adoption, the HKPC Academy, under HKPC, conducted a survey in September 2025, successfully interviewing around 800 local companies. The major findings are as follows:
AI Applications Enter a New Phase: From Tool Trials to Full Integration
AI technology is moving from initial trials to comprehensive integration and has become an important support for enterprises’ digital transformation and strategic upgrades.
- Widespread use of AI tools: 88% of employees in surveyed companies have already used AI tools in their day-to-day work, mainly in customer service, data analysis, and marketing.
- Integrating AI into Formal Workflows: 92% of respondents plan to gradually introduce AI into related workflows in the future, with 24% planning to fully implement it within one year, indicating a strong willingness to drive adoption.
- Institutional and Governance Framework Development: 45% of the surveyed enterprises already have officially recognised AI platforms for employees to use, and more than half (54%) of them said they do not have a complete or ongoing AI governance framework or policy for the time being.
- Recognition of application benefits: Respondents believe that AI can help increase productivity, reduce production costs, improve decision-making, and enhance customer experience.
Enterprises Face Five Major Challenges in AI Application: Talent Gap and Data Security as Core Obstacles
Despite the increasing popularity of AI technology applications, enterprises still face multiple challenges in practice:
- Lack of AI Expertise and Training: Talent development lags technology, becoming the top hurdle to AI rollout.
- Data Privacy and Security Concerns: Enterprises have concerns about data handling, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
- Difficulty in Integrating with Existing Systems: Incompatible technical architectures leads to complex and costly deployments.
- Employee Resistance or Readiness Gaps: Weak digital culture and limited awareness of transformation contribute to slow implementation.
- High Implementation Costs: Cost pressures are particularly significant for SMEs with limited resources, impacting their willingness to adopt.
“Three Directions and Eight Actions” Lead Enterprises to Accelerate the Implementation of AI Applications
To address the above challenges, HKPC has put forward eight recommendations to plan a systematic AI transformation roadmap for enterprises, from human resources, strategic layout to organisational culture:
Establishing AI Foundations:
1. Develop a clear AI development strategy and long-term plan.
2. Strengthen leadership from the top and cross-departmental collaboration to establish a top-down transformation promotion mechanism.
3. Establish a data governance and security compliance framework, along with a trusted AI application foundation
Deepening Operational Integration:
4. Implement AI skills training for all employees and cultivate a digital organisational culture.
5. Promote the integration of AI systems with internal corporate systems to lower technical barriers.
6. Deeply embed AI tools into business processes to improve operational efficiency.
Achieving Sustainable Impact:
7. Implement the “One Enterprise, One AI Coach” Scheme to empower AI professionals to continuously promote AI training and application within the organisation.
8. Establish an AI investment return assessment and optimization mechanism.
Dr Lawrence CHEUNG, Chief Technology Officer of HKPC, said, “In the digital economy era, AI has become an indispensable core pathway driving digital transformation for enterprises. Its application has shifted from being the domain of the technical department to a necessary skill for all employees. We encourage enterprises to craft a clear AI development blueprint and systematically plan their future technological roadmap and talent strategy. Top-level design should lead business innovation to build sustainable competitiveness. HKPC will continue to play the roles of ‘promoter, connector, implementer, and gatekeeper’ to facilitate the deep integration of AI with industry. In the future, we will connect the four key elements of ‘standards, technology, talent, and scenarios’ to ensure that AI applications are responsible, scalable, and sustainable. Through demonstrative guidance, we aim to drive intelligent upgrades in the industry and help Hong Kong become a global AI+ model city, achieving dual enhancements in the economy and people’s livelihoods.”
HKPC Empowers Enterprises‘ Digitally Transformation with the “AI for All” Initiative
To accelerate the adoption of AI technology, HKPC has officially launched the “AI for All” initiative, which comprehensively enhances the AI application capabilities of enterprise employees and the public through training empowerment, technical support and industry collaboration, and assists enterprises in their digital transformation. Internally, HKPC is leading the way in cultivating an AI culture, providing over 6,000 hours of AI training to employees, with an average of 5.5 hours of training per person. Various departments have actively promoted over 100 internal AI application projects and developed the innovative AI tool “HKPC Picasso”, which has effectively improved internal work efficiency and provided a transformation model for the industry.
In terms of enterprise AI skills support, HKPC assists enterprises in establishing AI governance frameworks and compliance guidelines, providing clear standards for data security, privacy protection, and ethics across the industry. On the other hand, the HKPC Academy systematically promotes talent cultivation, provides professional courses, qualification certifications, and capacity improvement programs, and continues to provide AI professionals to the industry to improve the industrial ecosystem. Over the past two years, HKPC Academy has provided over 500 AI-related training activities, training approximately 22,000 people, reflecting the high demand for AI skills in the market. Currently, HKPC Academy offers more than 20 AI courses, teaching practical AI combat skills from simple to deep. In order to support the learning of corporate employees, those who enroll in designated online courses can receive an additional nine online courses. HKPC Academy will also collaborate with leading technology companies to invite instructors with practical experience to teach and launch a series of free AI activities to help corporate employees and the public master AI skills.
In terms of industrial applications, HKPC actively aligns with Government policy objectives, formulates a clear roadmap for AI+ development for enterprises, and verifies the effectiveness of the technology through scenario pilots. To lower the entry threshold for enterprises, HKPC not only provides “lightweight, low-threshold” AI solutions covering applications such as customer service automation, document intelligence, and demand forecasting, but also integrates around 250 digital solutions from the Mainland and Hong Kong , along with numerous application cases through the “Digital DIY” platform, providing SMEs and individuals with around intuitive technical references and implementation paths, helping enterprises quickly achieve initial transformation. At present, AI technology has achieved concrete results in three major areas: the introduction of visual inspection and predictive maintenance in the field of smart manufacturing to improve production capacity and yield; In the field of cyber security, AI attack and defense drill platforms are used to strengthen enterprise protection capabilities; In the field of smart city, data analysis is used to optimise the efficiency of transportation, environment, and public services.
In conjunction with the release of this survey, the HKPC Academy held the “HR + L&D Mixer” event on the same day, with the theme of “Redesigning Work and Employee Experience in the Age of AI”. The event invited 100 leaders from human resources, technology, and industry to discuss the impact of AI on job design, talent development, and future skills, promoting companies to strengthen employee experience and cultural construction during transformation.
For High resolution photo and presentation deck, please click here
Hashtag: #HKPC
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About the Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity through relentless drive of world-class advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises. As a nationwide leader in innovative, market-driven research and development (R&D), specialising in leading technologies and all-rounded manufacturing services, HKPC promotes new industrialisation in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland and facilitates the development of new productive forces, leveraging innovation and technology (I&T), as well as bolstering Hong Kong to be an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city. The Council offers comprehensive innovative solutions for Hong Kong industries and enterprises to enhance competitiveness. To further support businesses in expanding into global markets, HKPC has established “The Cradle – Go Global Service Centre”, providing essential services to address businesses’ needs in product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, empowering enterprises to successfully go global. The Council partners and collaborates with local industries and enterprises and world-class R&D institutes to promote technology transfer, product innovation, and commercialisation through product innovation, technology transfer, creating value for industries. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades.
In addition, HKPC offers SMEs and startups immediate and timely assistance in coping with the ever-changing business environment, and strengthens talent nurturing and Hong Kong’s competitiveness with FutureSkills training for enterprises and academia to enhance digital capabilities and STEM competencies.
For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.
About HKPC Academy
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has established the Productivity Training Institute in 2004 and upgraded to the HKPC Academy in 2018 to nurture local talent with FutureSkills. By offering innovative, diversified and value-added industry training activities, exhibitions, events and seminars, so as to upgrade the knowledge and skills of practitioners in the industry, enlarge the I&T talent pool, and accelerate Hong Kong’s transformation into an international I&T hub and a smart city.
To promote the I&T culture and overall I&T atmosphere in the community, HKPC Academy works closely with the academia and TechEd partners to offer a wide range of FutureSkills and TechEd training programmes.
For more information on training programmes, please visit: https://www.hkpcacademy.org/ or contact the HKPC Academy.
Media OutReach
Andrea Bocelli Celebrates 30 Years Anniversary Tour of Romanza with Two Spectacular Concerts in Indonesia
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – Shoemaker Live and Jakarta International Expo are pleased to announce an extraordinary celebration of music and legacy as the incomparable Andrea Bocelli returns to Indonesia with Bank SMBC Indonesia and BNI present: Andrea Bocelli Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour Indonesia. Two Wonders, One Voice, the concerts commemorate three decades of the world’s most celebrated classical crossover albums. The highly anticipated Indonesia leg will present two distinctive performances, beginning at the majestic Borobudur Temple in Magelang on October 31, followed by a second performance at Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) Kemayoran, Jakarta, on November 3. These two concerts will be Andrea Bocelli’s only public performances in the Asia Pacific region in 2026, making Indonesia the exclusive destination in the region to experience this milestone celebration. Together, the two performances will offer audiences an extraordinary journey through music, artistry, and Indonesia’s diverse cultural landscape.
These two concerts will be Andrea Bocelli’s only public performances in Southeast Asia in 2026, making Indonesia the exclusive destination in the region to experience this milestone celebration. Presented across two remarkable settings, the concerts offer audiences from Indonesia and across Southeast Asia a rare opportunity to witness one of the world’s most celebrated voices live.
“It is truly an honor to bring a world-class maestro like Andrea Bocelli to Indonesia. Music and craftsmanship share a deep connection, both shaped by dedication, patience, and attention to detail. Romanza concert is especially meaningful as it brings this timeless artistry to two remarkable settings, Borobudur and Jakarta, creating moments audiences can cherish long after the music ends,” said Prajna Murdaya, Founder of Shoemaker.
Released 30 years ago, The Romanza album became a defining milestone in Andrea Bocelli’s illustrious career, introducing audiences worldwide to his signature voice and timeless repertoire, including the iconic “Con Te Partirò.” The anniversary tour celebrates the enduring legacy of an album that continues to resonate with audiences across generations.
More than a celebration of an iconic album, Bank SMBC Indonesia and BNI present: Andrea Bocelli Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour Indonesia brings together two remarkable destinations and one legendary voice to create an immersive cultural experience. From the historic grandeur of Borobudur to the dynamic atmosphere of Jakarta, the performances reflect the meeting point between global artistry and Indonesia’s rich cultural identity, also to celebrating 30 years of Andrea Bocelli’s musical legacy and creating an unforgettable night that will be remembered and talked about for years to come.
The Indonesia tour also marks an important moment for the country’s growing cultural and entertainment landscape, demonstrating its ability to welcome internationally acclaimed artists while offering audiences The Borobudur performance is envisioned as a once in a lifetime cultural experience, continuing the tradition of Andrea Bocelli’s landmark performance staged at globally renowned heritage sites around the world, from the Pyramids of Giza, the Acropolis, to the Vatican, where extraordinary music, iconic locations and historic settings come together to create truly memorable experiences.
As part of the Borobudur experience, audiences will also discover a cultural village showcasing the best of culturally rich Magelang and Central Java, bringing together the region’s cultural heritage, traditions, and local character. Ticket holders will receive exclusive access to the cultural village on the day of the concert, allowing the experience to extend beyond the performance and into the cultural landscape surrounding Borobudur.
“InJourney plays a strategic role in connecting Indonesia’s aviation and tourism ecosystem from airport and aviation services to hospitality, destinations, and retail to create a seamless, world-class journey for every traveler. International events such as Andrea Bocelli at Borobudur demonstrate the power of this integrated ecosystem to bring Indonesia’s heritage, hospitality, and global connectivity together on the world stage, while strengthening Indonesia’s nation branding through culture and tourism. For us, Borobudur is more than a destination. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a powerful national asset to elevate Indonesia’s position in global tourism. Our ambition is to develop Borobudur as a world-class spiritual, cultural, and pilgrimage destination, also creating meaningful, high-value experiences while preserving its legacy for generations to come,” explained Maya Watono, President Director of InJourney, PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero).
The Borobudur performance comes amid a growing calendar of cultural experiences around the destination, following Orchestra Month by InJourney and Borobudur Moon, organized by the Magelang Regency Government. Together, these initiatives contribute to a broader effort to position Borobudur and Central Java as destinations where cultural heritage and world-class artistic experiences can come together.
Bank SMBC Indonesia supports Andrea Bocelli’s Landmark Indonesia performance as presenting partner. Commenting on the partnership, Deputy President Director of Bank SMBC Indonesia, Michellina Laksmi Triwardhany, explained that the collaboration reflects Bank SMBC Indonesia’s commitment to bringing together meaningful experiences for its customers and the Indonesian community.
“As Presenting Partner, Bank SMBC Indonesia is proud to support Andrea Bocelli’s performance in Indonesia, particularly at Borobudur, one of Indonesia’s most significant cultural heritage sites. We believe in bringing together masterpieces, moments, and experiences that are meaningful to the Indonesian people. This collaboration is a celebration of extraordinary music, Indonesian’s rich cultural heritage, and the experiences that connect us, “said Dhany
She added that the partnership is aligned with Bank SMBC Indonesia’s commitment to continuously delivering meaningful services, experiences, and innovations that create a positive impact for customers, businesses, society, and the broader Indonesian economy.
Alexandra Askandar, Deputy President Director of Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BNI), said, “The arrival of Andrea Bocelli’s Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour in Indonesia is a special moment that further strengthens Indonesia’s position as a destination for world-class cultural experiences. We are proud to be part of bringing this exceptional international performance to audiences in Indonesia.”
Beyond the concert itself, BNI believes an international event of this caliber can create a meaningful multiplier effect for Indonesia’s tourism and creative economy, benefiting sectors ranging from hospitality, transportation, and culinary businesses to MSMEs, while further strengthening Indonesia’s position as a destination for world-class events.
“For BNI, supporting this event is also about creating greater value for our customers. Through various exclusive offers and seamless payment solutions, we aim to make this world-class performance more accessible and enjoyable for BNI customers. We are also pleased to offer our Priority customers special privileges that reflect our commitment to providing a more personalized experience when enjoying this exceptional performance,” said Alexandra
Tickets range for Bank SMBC Indonesia and BNI present: Andrea Bocelli Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour Indonesia starts from IDR 1,000,000 to over IDR 15,000,000 for premium categories. The highest priced ticket categories will also include access to an exclusive pre-event VIP lounge, offering guests a more elevated concert experience. An exclusive 72-hour presale for Jenius and BNI debit and credit cardholders will be held from Friday, August 21, 2026, at 1:00 PM WIB to Monday, August 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM WIB, offering up to 20% off. Tickets are available exclusively via Tiket.com during this period.
To complement the concert experience, ticket purchasers can also access travel bundles combining concert tickets with transportation and hotel stays through Tiket.com. Visitors can further explore curated experiences around Borobudur through InJourney’s MyCandiGuide app and website, making it easier to extend their visit into a broader cultural and destination experience.
Bank SMBC Indonesia and BNI present: Andrea Bocelli Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour Indonesia invites audiences to celebrate three decades of timeless music across two extraordinary destinations in Indonesia. More than an evening of iconic songs, it is an experience to be deeply felt, as Bocelli’s voice brings people together through moments of emotion, connection and wonder. Long after the final note, audiences will not only remember the performance, but carry the feeling of that extraordinary night with them for years to come.
For more information, please visit the official websites andreabocelli.id, and Instagram @shoemakerstudios.
Hashtag: #ShoemakerStudios
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About – Andrea Bocelli
Proclaimed around the world as the icon of the highest Italian vocal tradition, Bocelli has sold in-excess of 90 million albums to date. He improved his singing skills under the guidance of his mentor, Franco Corelli, and initially became widely famous for winning the Sanremo Music Festival in 1994 as the Newcomers section. At the same time, he started his dazzling classical career, performing masterpieces from the opera repertoire on stage – conducted by Lorin Maazel, Seiji Ozawa and Zubin Mehta. The more recent recordings of the Tuscan tenor include Manon Lescaut conducted by Plácido Domingo, Turandot and – released in 2016 – Aida conducted by Zubin Mehta. In 2017, Bocelli recorded La forza del destino and in 2018 he recorded – and performed in theatre – Lucia di Lammermoor.
About – Shoemaker Studios
Shoemaker Studios was founded by Prajna Murdaya, Harmoko Aguswan, and Nikita Dompas and Melon Lemon as a recording studio for world-class artists. It has since grown into a creative platform spanning live event production and live session content, bringing high-caliber music and cultural programming to Indonesian audiences.
In 2019, Shoemaker produced Yo-Yo Ma: The Bach Project Jakarta, the cellist’s first-ever Jakarta concert, setting a new benchmark for international performances in Indonesia. Its live session series, Hearafter, captures artists in unedited, one-take performances: no cuts, no retakes, just a song as it’s actually played.
Shoemaker is now expanding beyond recording and content production into live music, creative lifestyle experiences, and original IP — a shift anchored by its role in Andrea Bocelli’s Romanza 30th Anniversary Tour. The goal: spaces where artists, audiences, and communities meet, exchange inspiration, and experience creativity’s transformative power.
About – Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BNI)
PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI), one of Indonesia’s leading banks, is committed to offering a wide range of financial solutions for individuals and supporting the growth and success of businesses—both domestically and globally. Dedicated to building long-term partnerships, BNI provides a comprehensive suite of financial services, including capital loans, trade finance, cash management, project financing, and treasury services. BNI supports Indonesian companies in expanding their global reach while also assisting multinational corporations in entering the Indonesian market.
To learn more about BNI’s products and services, please visit: 
https://www.bni.co.id/
Mr Munafò joined Allianz Trade in 2015 as part of the Multinationals team and has spent over a decade shaping the company’s commercial strategy across four regions. Rising through key account management roles spanning MMEA, APAC, and Northern Europe – including his appointment as Regional Account Director for Northern Europe in 2021 – he was named Group Head of Broker Management and Partnerships in 2025, where he was responsible for defining and executing Allianz Trade’s global commercial and distribution strategy and strengthening broker partnerships across multiple regions. Mr Munafò holds an MBA from POLIMI Graduate School of Management (Politecnico di Milano) and a degree in Law from Università Bocconi with a major in Public Sector and Law.
On this appointment, Rodrigo Jimenez, Regional CEO at Allianz Trade in Asia Pacific, says: “Over the past decade, Scott has built extensive experience across various regions, demonstrating a strong track record in growing commercial portfolios, building strategic partnerships, and maintaining exceptional customer retention. His international experience, commercial leadership, and deep understanding of our business make him exceptionally well positioned to lead our China operations. I am confident that, together with the local management team, Scott will successfully drive our growth ambitions and deliver continued success in this important and fast-growing market.”
Mr Munafò remarks: “Allianz Trade has been part of China’s trade story for nearly two decades – built on the strength of our team, our partners, and our customers who have trusted us through every cycle. I am honoured to be entrusted with what so many have built together. My commitment is simple: to keep listening, to keep creating lasting value and to ensure the next chapter sets a new standard.”
Hashtag: #allianztrade #tradecreditinsurance
https://www.allianz-trade.com/en_HK.html
https://www.linkedin.com/company/allianz-trade-apac/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Allianz Trade
Allianz Trade is the global leader in trade credit insurance and a recognized specialist in the areas of surety, collections, structured trade credit and political risk. Our proprietary intelligence network is based on instant access to data of 289 million corporates. We give companies the confidence to trade by securing their payments. We compensate your company in the event of a bad debt, but more importantly, we help you avoid bad debt in the first place. Whenever we provide trade credit insurance or other finance solutions, our priority is predictive protection. But, when the unexpected arrives, our AA credit rating means we have the resources, backed by Allianz to provide compensation to maintain your business. Headquartered in Paris, Allianz Trade is present in over 40 countries with 5,900 employees. In 2025, our consolidated turnover was EUR4 billion and insured global business transactions represented EUR1,400 billion in exposure. For more information, please visit allianz-trade.com.
A Broader Range of Functional Jelly Concepts
This year, Wel-Bloom will show how varied jelly can be, with examples including visible fruit pieces, whole chia seeds, and high-calcium and collagen-rich formulations. As gummies remain popular, jelly offers greater flexibility in serving size, sweetness and active-ingredient loading, while also allowing for lower-sugar concepts using natural flavoring ingredients.
Taking Jelly Beyond Conventional Formulations
Wel-Bloom’s patented Tri-Safe Jelly Technology forms the foundation of its functional jelly development, demonstrating 97.8% active-ingredient retention and a shelf life of up to two years without added preservatives.
Building on this foundation, Wel-Bloom expanded into oil-based nutrients through NutriOne® Micronized Oil-Fusion Technology. Oil-based nutrients are commonly delivered in capsules or softgels, but swallowable formats may not suit every consumer. NutriOne® provides another option by incorporating oil-based ingredients into a stable, easy-to-consume jelly. The technology received a Gold Award at the World Genius Convention 2026.
Supporting Development with Trusted Manufacturing
As a Taiwan-based CDMO, Wel-Bloom supports projects from formulation and sensory development through stability assessment, pilot testing, scale-up and commercial manufacturing. For brands, choosing a CDMO affects product reliability and the responsibility of their supply chain. Wel-Bloom’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory provides technical assurance, while its LEED Silver-certified facility, ISO 14064-1 greenhouse gas management and 2026 B Corp certification reflect its commitment to responsible manufacturing.
At Vitafoods Asia, visitors will be able to sample selected products and discuss product concepts, formulation possibilities and CDMO opportunities with Wel-Bloom’s sales team.
Vitafoods Asia 2026 will take place September 2–4 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. Wel-Bloom will exhibit at Hall 2 Booth #F01.
Hashtag: #WelbloomBioTech
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About Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech
Wel-Bloom is a globally recognized CDMO expert in the health food industry, dedicated to delivering innovative, one-stop solutions. Guided by forward-looking market insights and supported by robust R&D capabilities, Wel-Bloom empowers clients to develop highly competitive, differentiated health food products.
For partnership opportunities and functional ingredient solutions, visit 
https://welbloom.com/ or search for Wel-Bloom online.
See Wel-Bloom in action — watch the latest highlights from our Malaysia forum on market insights and industry conversations: https://youtu.be/Y0VVoyV-NXU?si=lo9JbaI_Cjw5Cb4B
