Hong Kong bankrolling China’s bid for global AI reach

Hong Kong plans to establish an "AI city brain" system to enhance disaster response, public safety, and governance. This initiative will be led by an interdepartmental task force and overseen by a newly created role of Artificial Intelligence Commissioner. The AI city brain will integrate data from various departments and use advanced analytics to predict extreme weather risks, improve interdepartmental collaboration, and optimize emergency responses.

The system will be launched in the second quarter of the next year and will draw data from departments such as the Observatory, Drainage Services Department, and Fire Services Department, as well as from the 999 emergency hotline and 1823 public inquiry and complaint hotline. Early warnings and trend forecasts will be generated to help authorities prepare for and react to extreme weather, major incidents, and public order management more efficiently.

A traffic management platform, which will use big data and real-time traffic information, will be a key component of the AI city brain. A trial of this platform is expected to launch in Aberdeen next year and will help formulate contingency plans for extreme weather. The government will also study overseas examples and assess the computing power requirements of the entire system before putting it out to tender. It will ensure that the system uses only internal computing resources and a private cloud to maintain security.

In addition to disaster response, AI will also be applied in various other areas, including site supervision for public works, property management at public housing estates, hospital service arrangements, and identifying high-risk patients. The government will also introduce a commission for AI risk governance, responsible for seven key areas such as combating AI-related crimes, removing online content linked to financial fraud, and developing guidelines for AI agent management.

The creation of this role and the allocation of HK$1 billion to the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme aims to foster innovation and address potential risks associated with AI technology.