Hong Kong's AI access gap threatens financial hub status
JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs reportedly removed Anthropic's Claude generative AI tool from internal systems used by Hong Kong-based teams, while colleagues in Singapore and New York retain access. The move signals that AI is increasingly treated as a strategic asset rather than neutral infrastructure, with regional carve-outs excluding 'Greater China' from advanced systems. Anthropic has stated Claude is not officially supported in Hong Kong. This disparity weakens Hong Kong's position as a global financial hub, as tools considered routine elsewhere can disappear overnight for local employees.
Key facts
- Anthropic's Claude generative AI tool was removed from internal systems used by Hong Kong-based teams at JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs.
- Colleagues in Singapore and New York retain access to Claude.
- AI is increasingly treated as a strategic asset rather than neutral infrastructure.
- Some advanced AI systems include regional carve-outs excluding 'Greater China'.
- Anthropic has made clear that Claude is not officially supported in Hong Kong.
- The removal weakens Hong Kong's position as a global financial hub.
- Tools treated as routine elsewhere can disappear overnight for Hong Kong employees.
- The geopolitics of AI are shaping who can use which tools and on what terms.
Entities
Institutions
- Anthropic
- JPMorgan
- Goldman Sachs
Locations
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- New York
- Greater China