AI Forum Explores Workflow Revolution for Enhanced Government Efficiency at Cyberport Event

Digital Policy Office holds third AI+ Civil Services Technology Forum

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) held the third Technology Forum in its AI+ Civil Services series at Cyberport today (February 4). The forum, themed "Workflow Revolution - Smarter Processes, Greater Efficiency", was held in a hybrid mode and attracted over 900 professionals from nearly 100 government departments, as well as public and private organisations, to jointly explore and promote the use of AI in optimising government processes and improving work efficiency.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, stated that AI has become a global development driving force. He said that the Government must actively utilise AI in public administration to enhance service efficiency and quality, thereby benefitting more citizens. Mr Cheung also appealed to the Government and industry to work together to strengthen the development of the AI ecosystem and achieve the vision of developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre.

At the forum, a number of government departments, public organisations and technology companies were invited to share and exchange technical insights on the application of AI under the two themes "Document Management and Processing" and "Workflow Management and Automation". Among the sharing sessions, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department shared its new AI initiatives; Cyberport outlined government AI application in practice; while the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute showcased their related AI solutions. The forum also featured a number of booths showcasing latest-use cases from the industry, allowing government colleagues to gain a deeper understanding of how AI can be applied to transform public services.

This forum was organised by the Smart Government Innovation Lab (Smart Lab) under the DPO in collaboration with Hong Kong Cyberport, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. The Smart Lab has been committed to connecting the Government with the I&T sector, actively fostering close partnerships between local start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and government departments. Through regularly organising promotional activities and technology exchange workshops, the Smart Lab supports and assists government departments in accelerating the introduction of local innovative technology products and solutions to facilitate business matching and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

To promote the wider adoption of AI across government departments, the DPO will continue to launch various promotional activities and technology forums. Interested parties are encouraged to stay engaged and participate in the upcoming events. For more details, please visit Smart Lab website (www.smartlab.gov.hk/en/).

Digital Policy Office holds third AI+ Civil Services Technology Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mr Daniel Cheung, Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mr Daniel Cheung, Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

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 dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases