Hong Kong’s future doctors need AI skills and empathy, experts say

Medical leaders in Hong Kong say the city’s next generation of healthcare professionals must master more than clinical knowledge. They need emotional strength, a willingness to use artificial intelligence (AI), and the ambition to reshape the entire sector. The warning came during a panel discussion on the opening day of the inaugural Global Education Summit, co-hosted by the South China Morning Post and HSBC Premier. “We always talk about people going north, going to Shenzhen … for medical services. But I think the real question is how we keep our own system competitive,” one panellist said, referring to the growing trend of Hong Kong residents seeking cheaper or faster care across the border in mainland China. The experts argued that AI should be seen as a tool to support—not replace—human judgement. However, they stressed that technical fluency alone is not enough. Future doctors must pair that skill with genuine empathy, because patients still need to feel heard and understood. The panel called for medical schools to rethink their training. Courses should push students to question old practices, adapt to new technology, and stay resilient under pressure. The goal, they said, is to produce doctors who can lead change in a fast-moving global environment—not just follow protocols.