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A Message of Encouragement for DSE Students

This year’s DSE results will be released on Wednesday. For more than 58,000 DSE candidates, the release of their exam results marks not only the culmination of years of hard work, but also a pivotal moment when they must choose the path for the next chapter of their lives. Whether they decide to pursue further studies or enter the workforce, this is an important milestone in their life journey.

The wait for exam results can be unsettling. Yet many who have been through it come to realise that while exam scores may define a moment in time, they do not define one’s future.

Students today enjoy more diverse pathways. Even if they cannot secure a place in their preferred programme, there are many other options for pursuing further studies, including associate degrees, higher diplomas and applied learning courses, as well as vocational training. Those who complete such courses or training can then choose to articulate to bachelor’s degree programmes. While these pathways have long existed, it is worth noting in particular that artificial intelligence (AI) is opening up new branches further along these traditional routes. This will offer students more avenues for development and job opportunities in the future, whichever path they choose.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the LEAP East 2026 last week.

Attending the opening ceremony of the LEAP East 2026.

Today, even if one doesn’t know how to write code, large language models allow you to instruct computers to complete tasks using natural language. This means the threshold for adopting AI is getting lower. Whether you study business, design, nursing or the humanities, the key question is no longer whether you have programming skills, but whether you have the ingenuity to combine your interests and knowledge with AI tools.

For this reason, whether at innovation and technology (I&T) companies or traditional enterprises undergoing transformation, the most sought-after employees are cross-disciplinary talents—people who possess expertise in a professional field and know how to use AI tools to amplify their abilities. By identifying their interests, keeping a curious mind, and combining these with a knowledge of AI, students can find a breakthrough point for enhancing their own capabilities.

The development of AI applications is both expanding and deepening. Over the years, the HKSAR Government has stepped up its investment in this area, while continuing to strengthen two-way interaction with the Mainland and overseas markets. These efforts aim to create more opportunities for all sectors of the society amid this new wave of technology, and to provide broader points of access and entry for local young people and working professionals.

Take LEAP, the Middle East’s largest flagship I&T event, as an example. The event made its Asian debut in Hong Kong. The three-day exhibition attracted more than 25,000 participants, over half of whom came from outside Hong Kong. Investors attending the event represented US$6.5 trillion in assets under management. One key feature of this Saudi Arabian event is that it brings together cutting-edge I&T enterprises, technology parks, and investment and financing communities from more than 30 countries and regions. It will continue to be held in Hong Kong over the next three years.

Touring an exhibition booth while attending the opening ceremony of the LEAP East 2026.

In fact, after several years of deeper exchanges and engagement with the Middle East, the two sides have gradually built stronger mutual trust and friendship. We have also forged closer ties in trade and the economy, finance, innovation and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Trade between Hong Kong and the Gulf Arab states grew by about 5% last year, and in the first five months of this year, it rose by more than 35% year on year. Bilateral trade with the United Arab Emirates, in particular, surged by more than 52%. In terms of capital flows, Gulf sovereign wealth funds invested mainly in the European and US markets in the past. Yet of the tens of billions of US dollars they allocated globally last year, about 40% went to Asia. This reflects a clear shift in their asset allocation, with a more diversified investment strategy gradually taking shape.

For young people, world-class technology events and related activities held in Hong Kong offer a valuable window onto the latest cutting-edge developments around the world, especially the application of AI in areas such as healthcare, finance, energy and industrial production. Hong Kong is a hub that connects the world, and the exploration of personal interests and career directions has never been confined to the city alone. The Mainland and international markets also offer rich platforms for career development.

AI is set to define the future competitiveness of every economy across a wide range of fields. The HKSAR Government is deepening its work on all fronts to enhance local AI literacy and promote AI training for all. On the academic side, universities and post-secondary institutions are progressively increasing the number of relevant programmes, while primary and secondary schools are promoting school-based AI education. For working adults, professional bodies across various sectors are offering more courses on AI applications. The Employees Retraining Board will also be upgraded and renamed Upskill Hong Kong to provide the public with greater support for AI training.

For DSE candidates, no matter where your interests lie—whether in business, design, nursing or the humanities—and regardless of whether you gain direct admission to your preferred field of study at the next stage, you can still seek to combine those interests with AI tools, with the aim of exploring unique applications that benefit both yourself and the society. Identifying pain points and finding practical uses for them can lead to new solutions. This journey of exploration may even unlock new horizons, new imagination and new possibilities for the future.

In the face of rapidly evolving technology, human interests and preferences are constantly shifting, and new challenges keep emerging. Yet one thing is certain: no one can navigate an entire career on the strength of a single result slip alone. Continuous learning, perseverance and curiosity are the most essential qualities in this era—the qualities that will help you carve out a fulfilling career with no regrets.

July 12, 2026