Hang Seng Indexes Company and Cyberport have announced the launch of the "Thematic Index Exploration Plan" on June 30, 2026. The initiative aims to collaborate with technology and innovation firms to develop artificial intelligence solutions, thereby accelerating the design process for thematic indices.
This plan represents the second-phase project of the "Index Innovation Lab," which was established by Hang Seng Indexes Company and Cyberport in 2024. The lab's purpose is to explore the use of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence to support the index operations of Hang Seng Indexes and to provide index solutions that better meet market demands. The first phase was completed in 2025. A highly scalable generative AI solution, co-developed with a member of the Cyberport community, was successfully implemented for calculating the Hang Seng Index Series.
Building on the success of the initial phase, the second phase will focus on the rapidly developing thematic investment sectors in mainland China and Hong Kong. As investor demand for allocations to emerging growth sectors increases, so does the need for thematic indices, driving the market requirement for faster and more scalable development of such indices.
To address this growing market need, the plan is designed to develop AI solutions that assist in speeding up the thematic index design workflow, shortening the overall cycle from theme identification to index launch. With more efficient processes, Hang Seng Indexes can help investors capture market opportunities earlier while maintaining robust and consistent index operation standards.
In a speech, Deputy Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Zhang Manli, stated: "The 'Thematic Index Exploration Plan' is not only a platform converging tech innovation talent and financial expertise but also marks a significant step forward for Hong Kong in promoting the integrated development of 'finance + technology' and 'AI + industry.' This initiative focuses on using AI technology, through more refined and evidence-based classification models, to more effectively identify emerging industry trends, accurately map listed companies to the Hang Seng Industry Classification System and various thematic categories, and discover companies with potential. This supports the development of thematic indices and investment decisions. It is not merely a technical challenge but a crucial exploration in driving innovation in financial data application."
"The HKSAR Government has been advancing 'AI+' initiatives in recent years across multiple fronts including infrastructure, institutional frameworks, data elements, and talent cultivation. We are also accelerating the practical application of AI in fields such as finance and healthcare, while actively refining related data governance and ethical frameworks to promote safe, reliable, and responsible AI development. Simultaneously, we are continuously nurturing the local startup ecosystem through various innovation and technology parks, including Cyberport, leveraging local technology to advance AI industrialization and industrial AI application," she added.
Executive Chairman of Hang Seng Indexes Company, Li Wenlong, commented: "The generative AI solution developed in the first phase of the 'Index Innovation Lab' is now used to calculate the publicly available free float of shares for over 2,600 Hong Kong-listed companies, comprehensively covering the Hong Kong market's listed firms. The time required for these calculations has been reduced by two-thirds. Based on the success of the first phase, we look forward to further enhancing our index operations through the 'Thematic Index Exploration Plan' and providing more suitable index solutions for the market."
"Hang Seng Indexes Company will continue to work closely with long-term partner Cyberport and the broader tech innovation community to accelerate innovation in financial services, helping to consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial center and a hub for innovation and technology," he said.
Chairman of Cyberport, Chen Ximing, stated: "Cyberport is delighted to partner once again with Hang Seng Indexes Company to promote the practical application of artificial intelligence in financial markets through the 'Thematic Index Exploration Plan.' The plan leverages the power of AI to accelerate the construction of thematic indices and shorten the entire cycle from theme identification to index launch, enabling investors to capture emerging opportunities earlier."
"By combining the professional data expertise of Hang Seng Indexes with Cyberport's AI ecosystem, we anticipate discovering more innovative solutions with market value, accelerating the development of thematic investing, while also facilitating the transition of startups from proof-of-concept to commercial implementation. This will further strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international financial and innovation and technology hub," he added.