Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme opens for application
The Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme was officially launched today (October 7). Eligible organisations are welcome to submit applications to Cyberport.
To promote the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem in Hong Kong, the 2024-25 Budget announced an allocation of $3 billion for the launch of a three-year Subsidy Scheme, mainly to support local universities, research institutes, enterprises, etc, in leveraging the computing power of Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) to achieve scientific breakthroughs.
Under the Subsidy Scheme, eligible users may generally be subsidised up to 70 per cent of the service list price of Cyberport's AISC. The Committee of the AI Subsidy Scheme appointed by the Government will vet and approve subsidy applications, including the specific amount, duration and conditions of use.
The first-phase facility of Cyberport's AISC is expected to commence operations within this year. The computing power of Cyberport's AISC will progressively increase to reach a level of around 3000 petaFLOPS.
A hybrid information session for the Subsidy Scheme will be held on October 10. For more information about the Subsidy Scheme and application details, please visit the thematic page of Cyberport ataisc.cyberport.hk/aiss. For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the Subsidy Scheme (email: aiss_enquiry@cyberport.hk).
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre
Hong Kong Customs detected a trafficking case involving air cargo and a drug trafficking case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport, and shut down a suspected dangerous drugs distribution centre in Tai Po, seizing a total of about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine, 1kg of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules of suspected etomidate, 660 grams of suspected liquid etomidate, 8g of suspected cannabis oil and 1.7kg of suspected heroin, with a total estimated market value of about $8.9 million. Three males were arrested.
In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers on December 4 inspected an air parcel, arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium declared as carrying an office display product, at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, about 15kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $6.1 million, was found concealed inside the parcel.
After follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (December 11) and arrested two male consignees, aged 46 and 29, in Sha Tin and Tai Po respectively. Customs officers then escorted the 29-year-old arrested man to his premises in Tai Po for a search and further seized about 1kg of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules of suspected etomidate, 660g of suspected liquid etomidate and 8g of suspected cannabis oil, with a total estimated market value of about $2.1 million.
The second case involved a 25-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today (December 12). During customs clearance, Customs officers found 1.7 kg of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $680,000, concealed in his carry-on suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
The investigation of the first case is ongoing. The arrested person in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and he will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 13).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
