Google’s Gemini AI app debuts in Hong Kong

Tech giant Google has introduced a mobile version of its Gemini AI chatbot to Hong Kong users, with the service swiftly topping Apple’s app store chart.

The roll-out on Thursday followed Google’s announcement last week that it would gradually bring its generative AI services to Hong Kong, starting with Gemini web services before launching a mobile version.

The popular AI product was previously unavailable to the general public in Hong Kong, with access limited to some local businesses, developers, educators and students.

The ban had driven many residents to use virtual private networks or third-party platforms to bypass regional geofencing, as companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic blocked local IP addresses due to regulatory and compliance uncertainties.

Gemini is a multimodal AI tool that allows users to interact through text, images and audio. It includes generative tools for multimedia content – including images and music tracks – that Google has said will empower creators and students to “easily express their creativity”.

The app was the most downloaded product on Apple’s app store as of Friday morning.