Manulife Hong Kong has been named a Core Participating Insurer in the Insurance Authority's AI Cohort Programme, the company announced on 17 June 2026. The designation places the insurer at the centre of a regulator-led effort to drive responsible AI adoption across the industry and strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional AI hub.
Programme builds shared AI infrastructure and talent
The AI Cohort Programme brings together insurers and technology partners to accelerate AI adoption through collaboration. As a Core Participating Insurer, Manulife Hong Kong will help establish AI Centres of Excellence in the city, support capability-building initiatives for AI talent, and promote knowledge sharing between industry participants and regulators.
These centres are designed to create common resources and standards that benefit the wider insurance sector. The programme reflects a growing push to move AI from isolated experiments to systematic, industry-wide application. For insurers, building AI capabilities requires both technical infrastructure and skilled people - areas where structured programmes like this can shorten the learning curve. Professionals looking to understand how AI is being applied across the sector can find relevant resources on AI for Insurance.
CEO: AI is reshaping customer service and efficiency
Manulife Hong Kong and Macau CEO Patrick Graham said the programme aligns with the company's strategic priority to become an AI-powered organisation. "AI is rapidly transforming the insurance landscape, enabling insurers to reimagine how we serve customers while driving greater efficiency and resilience," he said.
Graham added: "We are honoured to participate in the AI Cohort Programme. Through this initiative, alongside our continued investment in AI capabilities and talent, we aim to scale the responsible adoption of AI across our business, deepen collaboration and knowledge sharing with industry partners, and contribute to the broader application of AI across the sector."
Why this matters for insurance professionals
Regulator-backed AI programmes signal where the industry is heading. For underwriters, claims specialists, and distribution teams, the creation of AI Centres of Excellence and formal talent initiatives means AI skills will become a baseline expectation, not a niche specialism. Professionals who build AI literacy now - understanding how models affect pricing, risk assessment, and customer interactions - will be better placed as carriers embed these tools into daily workflows.
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