Hong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ will not tap personal data, breach privacy: John Lee

Hong Kong's upcoming "AI city brain" will not involve personal data and does not raise privacy concerns, according to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. The system will enhance visitor management during peak seasons, such as the upcoming "golden week" holidays, by providing early warnings and trend forecasts. Lee emphasized the importance of AI education to prevent excessive reliance on technology, citing instances where adolescents became socially isolated.

During his annual policy address, Lee proposed the "AI city brain," which would consolidate scattered data from various departments, such as traffic, building plans, and community facilities, without incorporating personal information. The platform, set to launch in the second quarter of next year, will improve interdepartmental collaboration, particularly in responding to extreme weather and managing public order.

Any privacy concerns were addressed by explaining how the system would comply with privacy regulations and improve data sharing among departments. The initiative aims to foster proactive data sharing and encourage government departments to adopt a more collaborative approach.