Hong Kong picks 3 departments to test if AI can boost government efficiency
Three key government departments have been picked to test the use of AI to improve efficiency without incurring additional costs, Hong Kong’s innovation chief has said, urging the public not to equate its usage with job cuts. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong revealed on Saturday that the Companies Registry, the Transport Department…
Three key government departments have been picked to test the use of AI to improve efficiency without incurring additional costs, Hong Kong’s innovation chief has said, urging the public not to equate its usage with job cuts.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong revealed on Saturday that the Companies Registry, the Transport Department and the Buildings Department would be tasked with applying artificial intelligence (AI) to administrative procedures.
In his policy address last week, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced that a high-level “AI Efficacy Enhancement Team” would be set up, led by senior officials and including private sector experts, to steer a citywide digital transformation and offer advice and solutions to various government departments.
Under the sweeping plan, at least 200 administrative procedures will incorporate AI by the end of 2027 in a bid to boost efficiency and create a more responsive, tech-driven bureaucracy.
AI tools will be integrated into 100 procedures in 2026 alone, covering areas such as data analysis, customer service and speeding up the approval of licences and permits.
Sun, the team’s deputy leader, said the group had conducted an initial review of AI applications across various government departments.
“We have essentially reached agreements with these three departments. For example, the Companies Registry spends a lot of time and manpower annually processing new company registration applications and annual review reports. We hope to use AI to help increase efficiency and shorten processing times,” he said.
