Cosa è successo
Grant Thornton Hong Kong’s 15th annual Corporate Governance Review surveyed the boards of 100 large listed companies on the Hang Seng Composite Index. The report found that just 0.26% of directors possess specialist artificial‑intelligence skills and 0.56% have cybersecurity expertise. Yet 59% of the firms consider AI or cyber threats a principal business risk. Only 11% have created dedicated board committees to oversee digital threats, and 37% of board seats are still held by executives from finance, accounting, business or economics backgrounds, leaving roughly two‑thirds of large‑cap companies without any director with IT or cyber expertise. The study also noted modest progress on gender diversity (22% female directors) and highlighted a rapid turnover of independent non‑executive directors (INEDs), whose average tenure fell from 6.8 years in 2025 to 5.8 years in 2026 as HKEX prepares to enforce a nine‑year cap on INED terms.
The Grant Thornton review, released in September 2026, examined 100 major listed firms on Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Composite Index.
Only 0.26% of directors reported having specialist AI skills, while 0.56% possessed cybersecurity expertise.
Despite 59% of firms identifying AI or cyber threats as principal business risks, merely 11% have formed board committees dedicated to these issues.
The report highlighted that 37% of board seats are still occupied by executives from traditional finance and business backgrounds, leaving a majority of boards without any director with IT or cyber credentials.
Board turnover is accelerating as HKEX prepares to enforce a hard nine‑year cap on independent non‑executive director tenures, with average INED tenure dropping from 6.8 years in 2025 to 5.8 years in 2026.
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Perché è importante
The gap between acknowledged AI and cyber risks and the scarcity of board‑level expertise raises concerns about companies’ ability to govern emerging technologies effectively. Without directors who understand autonomous AI systems or sophisticated cyber threats, firms may be ill‑prepared for operational disruptions, regulatory scrutiny, and investor pressure for stronger risk management. The findings also suggest that existing corporate‑governance reforms—such as HKEX’s updated code mandating director training and skills matrices—have not yet translated into substantive expertise on boards. This disconnect could impede the adoption of AI-driven initiatives, affect market confidence, and regulators to tighten oversight or require more stringent board composition rules.
The lack of AI and cybersecurity expertise at the board level creates a governance gap that could expose firms to operational, reputational, and regulatory risks.
Investors increasingly demand transparency on how companies manage emerging technology risks; boards lacking relevant skills may struggle to meet these expectations.
Regulators may interpret the findings as evidence that current corporate‑governance reforms are insufficient, potentially leading to stricter rules on board composition or mandatory training.
The ability to adopt AI-driven business models or to defend against sophisticated cyber attacks may be hampered, affecting competitiveness in a region where AI adoption is rapidly expanding.
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Cosa guardare dopo
Watch for HKEX’s next round of governance guidance, especially any mandates that tie board composition to demonstrated AI or cyber competence. Monitor how companies respond to the accelerating turnover of INEDs—whether they recruit directors with digital expertise or continue to fill seats with traditional finance backgrounds. Investor activism and shareholder proposals calling for dedicated technology committees may also increase. Finally, track any policy proposals from Hong Kong’s financial regulators that could impose minimum skill requirements for board members overseeing AI and cybersecurity risks.
HKEX’s forthcoming guidance on director skill requirements, especially any explicit AI or cyber competency criteria.
Corporate responses to the INED turnover, including recruitment of directors with digital expertise versus continuation of traditional finance appointments.
Shareholder activism calling for the creation of dedicated AI and cybersecurity board committees.
Potential regulatory proposals from Hong Kong’s securities regulator that could impose minimum technical qualifications for board members overseeing technology risk.