CEO-Insights, Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy，Executive Study Group, 研究報告- 亞太策略研究所，調研數碼中心，高級行政人員學習小組

APIFS 18th Anniversary Leadership Summit 2026 Successfully Concludes at HKCEC

“BEYOND THE AI HYPE” Brings Business Leaders Together to Address Strategy, Scale, People and Measurable ROI

Hong Kong, 10 September 2026 — The Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy (APIFS) successfully concluded its 18th Anniversary Leadership Summit 2026 – BEYOND THE AI HYPE on 8 September 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Featuring two Cantonese executive sessions together with interactive group discussions, the Summit brought business leaders together to explore one of the most pressing management questions of the AI era:

How can companies move beyond AI experimentation and translate AI investment into enterprise-wide business performance?

The discussions reflected an important shift taking place in boardrooms today. For many organisations, the question is no longer whether they should adopt artificial intelligence. Companies are already experimenting with AI across functions and workflows.

The greater challenge is execution — determining where AI can create meaningful value, scaling successful applications across the organisation, preparing people for new ways of working, and ensuring that investment ultimately translates into measurable business results.

Four Executive Challenges Beyond the AI Hype

The Summit approached AI transformation through four complementary leadership perspectives.

01 | STRATEGY

Dr. Conrad Wong,
Chairman, Hong Kong Metropolitan University

AI Dilemma: To Be or Not to Be

Dr. Wong opened the discussion by examining AI from a strategic leadership perspective, challenging executives to consider not simply the opportunities created by new technology, but the choices, implications and management judgement required as AI becomes increasingly embedded in business and society.

02 | SCALE

Mr. Keith Ip,
Chief Technology Officer, Li & Fung

From AI Pilot to Enterprise Scale

Mr. Ip addressed one of the most important barriers facing organisations today: moving from isolated AI pilots to enterprise-scale deployment.

His sharing highlighted the importance of connecting technology experimentation with business processes, organisational infrastructure and scalable execution. The discussion reinforced that successful AI transformation requires more than identifying promising applications — companies must develop the capabilities to operationalise them across the enterprise.

03 | PEOPLE

Mr. Raymond Choi,
Operations Director, Hongkong Electric

From AI Anxiety to AI Readiness

Mr. Choi focused on the human dimension of AI transformation.

As AI changes workflows and job responsibilities, organisations must address employee uncertainty while developing the skills, confidence and organisational readiness required for adoption. His session highlighted why workforce engagement and management leadership are critical to translating technological capability into sustainable organisational change.

04 | PRODUCTIVITY

Dr. Mark Lee,
Research Director, Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy

From AI Investment to Measurable ROI

Dr. Lee brought the discussion back to business economics: how management can connect AI initiatives with measurable productivity improvement and financial outcomes.

Rather than viewing AI adoption itself as a measure of progress, organisations need to identify where AI changes work, improves decisions, reduces cost, increases capacity or creates additional customer and enterprise value.

The central management challenge is therefore moving from AI activity to AI accountability — establishing a clear connection between technology investment, operational change and measurable returns.

From Technology Adoption to Leadership Execution

A key message emerging from the Summit was that AI transformation is increasingly a leadership challenge rather than simply a technology challenge.

Technology may enable change, but management must determine:

Where should AI be applied?
How should successful pilots be scaled?
How should employees' roles evolve?
And how should management measure the economic value being created?

The combination of speaker sharing and interactive group discussions allowed participants to examine these questions through both strategic frameworks and practical management experience.

The Summit's theme, BEYOND THE AI HYPE, reflects APIFS's continuing focus on helping business leaders move beyond technological enthusiasm toward disciplined execution.

The next phase of enterprise AI will not be defined by how many AI tools an organisation adopts. It will be defined by its ability to combine strategy, technology, people and performance to create sustainable business impact.

Celebrating 18 Years of Executive and Strategic Development

The Leadership Summit also marked the 18th anniversary of the Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy.

Over the years, APIFS has focused on connecting management research, executive education and practical business application, working with senior executives and organisations on issues including strategy, transformation, leadership and organisational performance.

As artificial intelligence reshapes competition and management, APIFS will continue to work with business leaders to explore how emerging technologies can be converted into practical strategic and economic value.

BEYOND THE AI HYPE represents this next chapter:

Scale AI. Mobilize People. Deliver Measurable Business Impact.

About Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy

The Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy (APIFS) is a regional academic and research organisation dedicated to advancing strategic management, leadership development, and organisational innovation. Through research initiatives, public lectures, executive forums, advisory projects, and corporate learning programmes, APIFS contributes thought leadership to the business and academic communities across Asia.

APIFS also operates the Executive Study Group, its industry-facing think tank and executive collaboration platform, which focuses on translating academic insights into practical strategies for senior leaders, multinational corporations, listed enterprises, family businesses, and high-growth companies.

Media Contact:

Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy

Email: cs@apifs.net

Tel: (852) 3970 1828

Website: www.apifs.org

Related Articles:

Hongkong Post Invites APIFS to Speak at e-Commerce & Logistics Synergy Forum 2026

APIFS ASEAN + China Council Hosts Executive Dinner at Singapore Cricket Club to Advance Regional Bus

[CEO INSIGHTS] Hong Kong’s Next Strategic Advantage Is Not Being a Middleman

APIFS Research Director Dr. Mark Lee Invited to Advise and Lead HKICPA Mentorship Programme Training

APIFS Hosts One of Hong Kong’s Largest Full-Scale AI Workshops for Executives

APIFS Research Director Dr. Mark Lee Invited to Speak at HR Tech Asia 2026 in Singapore