Innovation chief speaks of HK innovative development

Speaking on a TVB News programme, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong says authorities have greatly sped up efforts to boost the local innovative spirit over the past four years, particularly through the development of the Northern Metropolis.

This as the city's innovation chief stresses the government is determined to strike a balance between rapid AI development and implementing ethical guidelines on its usage.

As the development site at the Northern Metropolis' Lok Ma Chau Loop gradually takes shape, Hong Kong's goal of strengthening its role as a global innovative hub edges ever closer.

Speaking on TVB News, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong noted some of the government's achievements in the innovative sector over the past four years.

"The Hong Kong I&T (innovation and technology) ecosystem is getting vibrant. So, currently, our I&T development framework is anchored by five world-class universities. In particular, our Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park is becoming a beachhead for Hong Kong to better integrate and serve the overall development of our country."

Sun says, "These I&T activities have also been reflected in several international rankings. In the latest World Competitveness Yearbook, Hong Kong ranked No. 2 globally. I also believe, as the Northern Metropolis accelerates development in the future, the growth of Hong Kong and its industries will also gain momentum."

As AI has become a focal point of the government's developmental objective, Sun said authorities have successfully attracted a substantial amount of AI-related businesses to settle in the city.

Sun says: "The Hong Kong government attaches great importance to AI development. Actually we have identified AI as our core industry. In the past several years, we have rolled out a lot of {trim} policies to activate the AI development."

"For the industry application, we encourage a lot of companies to come to Hong Kong, to expand their businesses. So, in the past couple of years, we have attracted more than 1,000 AI companies gathering in Hong Kong for AI development."

Meanwhile, the innovation chief also emphasised the need to balance the development of AI and the implementation of measures to prevent its misuse.

He says: "In addition to providing the guidelines, we are also studying how to build a new legal framework that can {trim} balance the safe use of AI. We have to face the risk that arises from rapid AI development."