Digital Innovation: Strategic Transformation in an Accelerating Future

Cover Story
Digital Innovation: Strategic Transformation in an Accelerating Future 

Driven by AI, big data, and machine learning, digital innovation has become a strategic necessity for Hong Kong banks striving to modernise systems, boost efficiency, and defend market share. The banking sector in Hong Kong is at a pivotal juncture, facing a myriad of challenges and opportunities.

Thought Leaders
Protecting Intellectual Property Rights Empowers Opportunities

In an era when knowledge-based industries increasingly drive economic growth, David WONG, Director of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Intellectual Property Department, explains how Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) help to protect and foster creativity, create strategic advantages and strengthen Hong Kong's economy. 

Fintech
From Agency to Agentic AI 

The concept of "agency" has long been a cornerstone in understanding human and organisational behaviour, particularly within the framework of agency theory - a perceptive based on the principle of relying on an agent to execute specific financial decisions and transactions that may lead to variable outcomes. While human beings inherently possess the capacity for agency, the emergence of sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) systems now extends the traditional lens for understanding agency to encompass "Agentic AI".

Change Horizons
The Growing Threat of Deepfakes to the Banking and Finance Industry 

In an era when AI is increasingly driving innovation, streamlining operations, and solving complex challenges, the threats posed by AI-generated deepfakes technology challenge the relationship between what is real and what has been digitally fabricated. As the deepfake threat landscape continues to expand both in scale and technique, banks are advised to focus on a multi-layered response that integrates AI-powered deepfake detection tools, robust fraud prevention processes, and human awareness training. 

GRC Corner 
Hong Kong's Sustainable Finance Landscape

Hong Kong continues to position itself as Asia's green finance hub by rolling out progressive measures to strengthen its sustainable ecosystem, introducing enhanced environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting frameworks, expanding the Special Administrative Region's taxonomy, and developing green finance initiatives. The following article explores these latest initiatives, developments and trends across Hong Kong's sustainable finance landscape as it sets the stage to lead the region in this important sector. 

Knowledge Plus
Could Stablecoins Become the Cornerstone of the World's Future Monetary System? 

Providing a bridge between traditional financial systems and the dynamic world of digital currencies, stablecoins - a form of digital cash issued as tokens on a blockchain - have become a hot topic in the realms of the digital currency world. In this article, the Publications Sub-Committee of The Hong Kong Institute of Bankers aims to dispel misconceptions while taking a conceptual view of the future potential utilisation of the digital currency.