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Hong Kong’s Gen AI project is spearheaded by a research and development centre at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with several other universities. One advantage of a locally developed AI is its ability to address regional language issues read more
 "Hong Kong testing its own ChatGPT-like GenAI tool, as OpenAI works on blocking services in several regions")
The development of Hong Kong's AI tool is part of a broader context of technological competition between China and the United States, with both nations striving for AI supremacy. Image Credit
Hong Kong’s government is developing its own AI tool similar to ChatGPT, aimed initially at government employees but with plans for public availability. This initiative comes in response to OpenAI’s recent decision to block access from Hong Kong and other unsupported regions.
Sun Dong, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry, announced the development on a Saturday radio show. The AI tool, known in Chinese as “document assistance application for civil servants,” is being tested and is expected to be rolled out to the entire government by the end of the year.
The project is spearheaded by a generative AI research and development centre at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with other universities. Future enhancements are expected to include functions for graphics and video design, though how these capabilities will compare to ChatGPT remains uncertain. Sun emphasized the need for local development due to the unavailability of support from global tech giants like Microsoft and Google.
The development of Hong Kong’s AI tool is part of a broader context of technological competition between China and the United States, with both nations striving for AI supremacy. China aims to become the global leader in AI by 2030. However, OpenAI has excluded China, Hong Kong, and Macao from its list of supported regions, leading to the need for local solutions.
OpenAI’s recent measures to block connections from unsupported regions have been part of ongoing restrictions, though the company has not provided detailed reasons for these actions. Local IT expert Francis Fong expressed cautious optimism about Hong Kong’s AI capabilities, suggesting that while it may not match ChatGPT, it could still achieve high standards with local input and tailored functionalities.
One advantage of a locally developed AI system is its ability to address regional languages and issues more accurately. However, given the political climate, there is an expectation that AI might conform to certain ideological constraints. This is particularly relevant in China, where internet content is heavily censored, and AI models must operate within these parameters.
Chinese tech companies like Alibaba and Baidu have already introduced AI models similar to ChatGPT, primarily for Chinese-language users, adhering to censorship rules. In May, China’s cyberspace academy announced the training of an AI chatbot on President Xi Jinping’s doctrine, underscoring the ideological boundaries within which Chinese AI operates.
In Hong Kong, SenseTime, a significant player in Chinese AI, launched SenseChat, which serves the Cantonese-speaking population. However, it avoids politically sensitive topics, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown and the 2019 Hong Kong protests, reflecting the constraints imposed on AI systems operating in China.
Hong Kong’s move to develop its own AI tool highlights the region’s drive to foster technological innovation while navigating the complex landscape of international politics and local regulations. The success of this initiative will depend on its ability to meet high technological standards and address local needs without running afoul of political sensitivities.
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English (US) ·