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HKMA launches ART framework for responsible AI adoption in banking
HKMA introduced its ART framework to guide responsible AI use in banking, alongside updated guidance, a data-sharing platform and Sandbox++ testing.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has announced an “ART” framework to support responsible artificial intelligence adoption in the banking sector, setting out new supervisory guidance, data-sharing infrastructure and further testing for agentic AI applications.
Evidence and context
In a statement dated 15 October 2026, the HKMA said the framework is intended to foster an AI-enabled banking ecosystem centred on Accountability, Resilience and Trust. The regulator said AI systems are becoming more autonomous and are gaining greater access to data, tools and workflows, which it said makes clear governance and operational resilience more important as banks expand their use of the technology.
The HKMA said the framework includes three main initiatives: the latest Supervisory Guidance for Responsible Adoption of Artificial Intelligence, informed by the second cohort of the Generative AI Sandbox; an AI training-data sharing platform developed with Cyberport and the University of Hong Kong, with data quality assurance described as a core design principle; and further testing of agentic AI applications through GenA.I. Sandbox++.
The authority also said it plans to publish an upcoming discussion paper on a proposed supervisory framework for agentic AI governance. The areas under discussion include intent-anchored accountability, a registry of material AI agents and intervention mechanisms. The HKMA said these are proposed discussion areas, not finalised requirements.
The announcement coincides with the two-day “Finance + A.I. Forum” co-hosted with Cyberport on 15 and 16 October 2026. The HKMA said the event marks the completion of technical trials under the second sandbox cohort, which it said delivered positive results.
Mr Arthur Yuen, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, said the shift from generative to agentic AI represents “an important new stage of innovation” for banking. He said the ART framework under the HKMA’s Fintech 2030 strategy is meant to provide a foundation for banks to develop and deploy AI responsibly, with human oversight alongside accountability and resilient operating models.
The HKMA said more than 60% of the use cases in the second cohort explored agentic AI, indicating active experimentation with automated planning and execution of multi-step tasks within defined boundaries and controls. No market impact, financial estimate or implementation timetable beyond the cited forum dates was provided in the announcement.