Enhanced DTSPP: An SME Guide to Planning AI
In 2026 the Hong Kong government announced that it will enhance the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP), using matching grants to help more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity solutions. Many businesses are watching the new round closely; some already call it "DTSPP 2.0". What has been announced so far is the direction of the enhancement. Eligibility, funding ceilings, application dates and supplier arrangements remain subject to official updates.
For SMEs, preparing for digital transformation does not have to start with buying a large system. The first step is to identify the processes that take the most time, cause the most errors, or affect customer experience the most, and then assess whether technology can solve the actual problem.
Start with the real business need
A company can begin by reviewing the following situations:
Customer enquiries are repetitive and staff spend hours answering them one by one
Product, service or internal documents are scattered, so staff struggle to find the right information quickly
Quotations, orders, bookings or follow-up work depend on manual handling
The website or online shop does not capture and organise customer enquiries effectively
The company lacks basic account management, data backup or cybersecurity measures
Once the problems are listed, set a clear goal for each one: shorter response times, less duplicate entry, better customer records, or faster internal information search, for example.
AI should fit the workflow
Common AI applications among SMEs include AI customer service, internal knowledge search, document classification, content drafting and organising operational data. When choosing a solution, first establish what data it will handle, which staff will use it, and how errors will be checked or taken over by a person.
AI can take on repetitive work, but the business still needs data permissions, review steps and usage rules. Where customer personal data, payment data or trade secrets are involved, confirm in particular how the solution stores data and who can access it.
What to prepare now, in case applications open
Before the details of the new round are announced, companies can prepare:
Basic company information and business processes
The operational problems to improve and the results expected
The likely solution and the number of users
The types of data involved and the access permissions
An initial budget and implementation timeline
This information helps a company compare solutions, and makes it easier to supply further details when the formal application requirements are published. The documents and steps actually required should follow the official guidelines once released.
Do not stop at "it has AI"; ask whether it can be put to work
When comparing solutions, find out whether the supplier will help with needs analysis, system setup, data preparation, staff training and ongoing support. Companies should also confirm how the solution fits existing websites, customer management or internal systems, and who will manage it day to day after the project is completed.
The enhanced DTSPP already names AI and cybersecurity as its direction, but a business should plan around its own needs rather than adopt tools with no real use simply to chase funding. While waiting for the official announcement, setting out pain points and goals first makes it easier to judge which solutions are worth the investment.
Want to assess which digital process your company should start with? Contact us to review your business needs and sketch an initial direction. Eligibility and funding arrangements are subject to the latest official announcement.