The annual Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival is returning next week with a sharpened focus on artificial intelligence and an expanded entertainment line-up aimed at attracting a broader public audience.
The four-day event runs from 21 to 24 August at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and will occupy about 140,000 square feet. Organisers say the festival will feature more than 600 booths and around 200 exhibitors, framed under the theme "AI Connect: Let's Link the Future".
AI for business — and for the crowd
In partnership with the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the festival will host a dedicated zone on AI and digital transformation designed to demonstrate practical, easy-to-use tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The zone will include hands-on workshops and professional guidance aimed at helping businesses integrate AI into everyday workflows across sectors such as banking, finance, legal and accounting.
"Hong Kong is at a critical stage of AI acceleration... integration into business operations is the key to transformation," HKPC Chief Technology Officer Lawrence Cheung Chi-chong said.
Organisers have lined up more than 20 AI forums and free workshops for the public, covering topics that range from practical implementation to consumer protection — including sessions on how to identify AI-generated scams. A two-hour, hands-on workshop on the open-source AI project OpenClaw has already attracted over 500 registrants, underscoring strong interest in advanced AI applications.
Entertainment and esports to widen appeal
To broaden the festival’s appeal beyond the traditional tech audience, organisers have added a heavier entertainment programme. The event will feature performances by the Taiwanese cheerleading squad Fubon Angels alongside local underground idol groups, while a VALORANT Hong Kong Open tournament will bring a competitive esports element to the main stage.
Leung Ding-kau, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Computer Association, said this year’s event has introduced full-on entertainment to enrich the attendee experience.
The VALORANT tournament carries a total prize pool of HK$30,000, with the semi-finals and finals scheduled for 22 and 23 August respectively on the main stage in Hall 1.
- Dates: 21–24 August
- Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Space: 140,000 sq ft
- Exhibitors/Booths: ~200 exhibitors, 600 booths
- AI programming: 20+ forums and free workshops
- Esports prize pool: HK$30,000 (VALORANT Hong Kong Open)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Theme | AI Connect: Let's Link the Future |
| AI workshops | Hands-on sessions, OpenClaw workshop (500+ registrants) |
| Entertainment | Fubon Angels, local idol groups, live stage performances |
What this means for the industry
By combining business-focused AI programming with visible entertainment and esports fixtures, the festival aims to do double duty: serve as a practical marketplace where SMEs can see tangible use cases for AI, while drawing in younger and entertainment-oriented audiences who might not otherwise attend a tech fair. For performers and local creative acts, the festival offers exposure to a sizeable crowd and potential commercial partners; for the tech industry, it provides a testing ground for public-facing demonstrations of AI tools.
For South African readers and industry watchers, the event is a useful barometer of how regional tech hubs are blending culture, commerce and emerging technologies to broaden adoption. The inclusion of consumer-protection content — such as sessions on AI-generated scams — also signals growing concern about the societal impacts of rapid AI deployment.
Organisers advise prospective visitors to check the festival schedule for workshop registration details and to note that the VALORANT event will host its decisive matches on the weekend of 22–23 August.
