AI or Empathy? Hong Kong’s Future Doctors Now Need Both to Stay Competitive
Hong Kong’s medical leaders are warning that the city’s next generation of doctors must pair artificial intelligence (AI) skills with genuine empathy, or risk losing patients to cheaper cross-border care.
During a panel at the inaugural Global Education Summit, co-hosted by the *South China Morning Post* and HSBC Premier, experts argued that medical schools must overhaul training to produce doctors who can lead change, not just follow protocols [236308]. The discussion highlighted a growing trend of Hong Kong residents seeking medical services across the border in Shenzhen, which one panellist framed as a challenge to keep the local system competitive [236308].
The experts stressed that AI should support—not replace—human judgement, but technical fluency alone is insufficient. Future doctors must pair that skill with emotional strength and genuine empathy, because patients still need to feel heard and understood [236308]. The panel called for courses that push students to question old practices, adapt to new technology, and stay resilient under pressure [236308].
The goal, they said, is to produce doctors who can reshape the entire healthcare sector in a fast-moving global environment [236308].