{
  "id": 6861085,
  "title": "Hong Kong is lagging in the AI race – can it raise its game, and how?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/hong-kong-is-lagging-in-the-ai-race-can-it-raise-its-game-and-how-6861085",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-12T04:00:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367250/hong-kong-lagging-ai-race-can-it-raise-its-game-and-how"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the third installment of their preview series on the five-year plan and policy address, set to be unveiled on September 16, Leopold Chen and Theodora Yu explore how Hong Kong can boost its adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). The city's efforts to integrate AI into public services, including the 1823 complaint hotline, were highlighted following a resident's frustration over the hotline's failure to record his complaint about illegal construction waste dumping. Hong Kong's AI roll-out has been slower than regional counterparts, such as Singapore, which launched its Pair smart search chatbot in 2023 and has since gained significant traction. The Hong Kong government has taken initial steps, introducing AI tools like HKChat, HKPilot, and HKMeeting, but faces challenges like a strong privacy-focused legal framework that hinders data sharing. Experts urge the government to refine its data governance, develop a risk-based AI classification mechanism, and encourage more AI experimentation. They also emphasize the importance of a clear \"trial-and-error\" policy to boost public support for AI adoption. Beijing's priorities mirror those of Hong Kong, with China's 15th five-year plan focusing on AI chip development and its application in various scenarios.",
  "summary": "In the third of our series of previews on the five-year plan and policy address, to be announced on September 16, Leopold Chen and Theodora Yu look at how the city can raise its game and expand the adoption of artificial intelligence. Read part one here and part two here. Spotting bags of construction waste illegally dumped near a temporary refuse collection point in Hong Kong’s Southern district…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "Hong Kong is lagging in the AI race – can it raise its game, and how?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/hong-kong-is-lagging-in-the-ai-race-can-it-raise-its-game-and-how",
        "published": "2026-09-12T04:00:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}