30pc of financial firms now employ agentic AI

The survey, conducted between July and August this year, covered 20 large financial firms with 78 affiliated licensed corporations in Hong Kong. Together they accounted for over 75 per cent of securities transactions reported by licensed corporations in the six months ended June.

Notably, agentic AI – which can autonomously determine and execute steps to achieve an objective – is gaining traction, the survey showed. Thirty per cent of surveyed firms already use it in their business operations, and 25 per cent are piloting it with varying degrees of autonomy and human involvement.

The SFC said the findings will inform its supervisory approach to AI, with priorities including protecting investors, strengthening cybersecurity and operational resilience, and ensuring effective AI governance.