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Hong Kong environmental issues
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

As Hong Kong boosts governance efficiency with AI, balance is key

The use of artificial intelligence to speed up environmental impact assessments is welcome, but care must be taken to ensure accuracy and reliability

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Birds in Long Valley Nature Park on August 15. The Long Valley freshwater wetlands are the largest man-made freshwater wetland remaining in the city. Photo: Edmond So
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.

Hong Kong has never had the luxury of abundant land for development. A small territory supporting a large and highly urbanised population must constantly make difficult choices about housing, transport and infrastructure. This is especially true when every decision carries an environmental cost that is often irreversible. Yet the way forward is not to stand still, but to ensure that development is necessary, properly designed and compatible with the protection of the city’s natural heritage.

The government’s use of artificial intelligence to accelerate environmental impact assessments – a statutory requirement to evaluate and mitigate possible damage before major development projects can proceed – is therefore a welcome step. According to the Environmental Protection Department, the application of AI shortened the time frame for collecting environmental data and completing the process from 36 to 48 months to 15 to 24 months. The new technology has also enabled real-time surveillance for environmental and bird monitoring, and reduced the time for tree baseline surveys by 70 per cent.

The gain is substantial. However, speed alone should not be the ultimate goal. Equally essential is accuracy and reliability. There have been legal challenges against the findings of some key environmental impact assessments in the past, resulting in prolonged litigation and delays in implementing key infrastructure projects.

The real test is whether AI enables Hong Kong to reach decisions that are both efficient and environmentally sound. Unlike some policies and measures that can be tweaked or withdrawn, the damage caused by poorly designed and implemented infrastructure projects often cannot be undone. AI must therefore be used to strengthen scientific and objective assessments rather than to justify short cuts and administrative efficiency.

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