Hong Kong Hosts Seminar on Generative AI for Civil Service Innovation and Efficiency

Innovation and Technology leadership series thematic seminar held to explore Hong Kong locally developed generative AI model technology and application

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) and the Civil Service College (CSC) jointly held the second Innovation and Technology leadership series thematic seminar on the topic "Hong Kong locally developed generative AI model technology and application" today (June 13). The seminar was delivered by the Provost of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Director of the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI), Professor Guo Yike. About 180 civil servants in the directorate and senior ranks from various bureaux/departments (B/Ds) attended the seminar today.

Professor Guo introduced the local large language model "HKGAI V1" developed by the HKGAI and its applications to participating government personnel during the seminar. Among the applications, the document processing copilot application "HKPilot" is currently in trial use in various government B/Ds to assist in handling document processing work, such as drafting, translation and producing summaries of documents. He also shared in detail various AI application scenarios for improving the efficiency of public services.

At the seminar, the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, shared the Government's latest initiatives in promoting AI, including the establishment of the AI Supercomputing Centre in Cyberport in December last year to support the local AI development with strong computing power. In addition, to promote the wider application of AI in government departments, the DPO will launch the "AI + Civil Services" initiative to drive the broader use of AI technology in various government departments.

As one of the strategies to accelerate the development of digital government and lead public service innovation, the DPO and the CSC collaborate to regularly organise thematic seminars and training to enhance the core skills of senior management of B/Ds in using digital technology, thereby promoting more effective use of digital technology by B/Ds to drive digital transformation.

Innovation and Technology leadership series thematic seminar held to explore Hong Kong locally developed generative AI model technology and application Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Innovation and Technology leadership series thematic seminar held to explore Hong Kong locally developed generative AI model technology and application Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Innovation and Technology leadership series thematic seminar held to explore Hong Kong locally developed generative AI model technology and application Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Innovation and Technology leadership series thematic seminar held to explore Hong Kong locally developed generative AI model technology and application Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 8) and today (September 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 14.3kg of suspected cannabis buds, two suspected alternative smoking products and one duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value over $15 million. Five persons were arrested.

The first case involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 29 and 45 respectively, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Manila, the Philippines yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $2.6 million in their two check-in suitcases. The two men were arrested subsequently.

In the second case, a 36-year-old British female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from London, the United Kingdom, via Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 30kg of suspected ketamine and two suspected alternative smoking products with a total estimated market value of about $12 million in her two check-in suitcases and carry-on baggage. She was subsequently arrested.

The third case involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 24 and 26, arrived in Hong Kong today from Xiamen and Bangkok,Thailand, respectively. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about of 3.3kg of suspected cannabis buds and one duty-not-paid cigarette with a total estimated market value of about $770,000 in the baggage of the 24-year-old man. The 24-year-old man and the 26-year-old man connected to the case were subsequently arrested.

The two arrested men in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 10). Investigations of the second and third cases are ongoing.

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 also 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.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

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 three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases