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Hong Kong halves environmental impact review times with AI in efficiency drive
Government rolls out first batch of 30 projects across 13 departments to improve services such as food licensing, leisure facility bookings
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Hong Kong authorities have slashed the time required for environmental impact assessments by up to half using artificial intelligence, with an official saying that AI adoption reduced wait times for some public services by up to 90 per cent.
The first batch of 30 projects aimed at enhancing efficiency was announced on Monday. It involves 13 government departments, covering transport and food business licensing, leisure and sports facilities, environmental hygiene, complaint handling, and environmental protection. These projects are being rolled out this year and next.
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, who chairs the government’s AI Efficacy Enhancement Team established in last year’s policy address, said the adoption of AI had reduced processing and waiting times by up to 90 per cent for select public services.
Among the projects, the government identified 10 high-impact flagship initiatives, including the Environmental Protection Department’s adoption of AI in environmental impact assessment (EIAs).
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