SITI: Hong Kong's Efforts to Promote AI and Digital Innovations for Community Empowerment at the APEC Digital Weeks High-level Dialogue

Speech by SITI at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Digital Weeks High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Community, in Chengdu

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital Weeks High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower the APEC Community, in Chengdu, today (July 24):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my honour to join this high-level dialogue today. Digital and AI technologies are advancing rapidly worldwide. Hong Kong, China (HKC) actively leverages these innovations to empower the community and enhance the well-being of our people.

In the public sector, we remain firmly committed to enhancing the efficiency of governance and delivery of public services through emerging technologies. Our Smart Government Innovation Lab serves as a vital platform connecting government departmental needs with innovative solutions from the industry, with a view to driving innovation and technology (I&T) adoption across the Government. We have also launched the AI Solution Catalogue and the AI Toolbox, which feature a wide range of AI solutions and tools that facilitate customer service, data analysis and prediction, and document drafting, thereby encouraging the wider use of AI technologies and tools across the Government.

At the community level, we are also mindful that the benefits brought about by technological advancements should trickle down to the general public. We have in place "iAM Smart", a one-stop digital services platform that consolidates more than 1 400 online public and private services on one single portal. Citizens may have access to digital services, ranging from renewal of driving licenses to making appointments at public hospitals to filing tax returns, through one single platform, which greatly enhances convenience and efficiency.

We are also extending this digital convenience to businesses through the upcoming Digital Corporate Identity or CorpID Platform, a business version of "iAM Smart". This platform will equip corporations with a secure digital identity and essential features such as corporate identity authentication, digital signing and form pre-filling. With CorpID, corporations will be able to access both government-to-business and business-to-business eservices easily, boosting operational and administrative efficiency.

Furthermore, an AI Assistant will be introduced on both the "iAM Smart" and CorpID platforms within this year. The AI Assistant is expected to enhance user experience by providing instant responses to enquiries and personalised services to users. For corporations seeking business upgrade and technological enhancement, the assistant will recommend information and services related to government funding schemes, industry support programmes and other public resources. These services are most crucial to small and medium enterprises and will significantly accelerate their digital transformation journey.

We have not forgotten the challenges digitalisation causes to the elderly. To this end, our "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders partners with non-profit-making organisations to help our seniors embrace digital life. We hope that our senior citizens may also enjoy the convenience and ease of the digital age.

The ultimate value of innovation lies in its ability to bring positive impacts to our society. Let us remain steadfast in empowering and harnessing technological advancement for the good of our people, while ensuring that technology powers a better future for the entire community. Thank you.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, speaks at the High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Community, in Chengdu, today (July 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SITI at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Digital Weeks High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Community, in Chengdu Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SITI at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Digital Weeks High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Community, in Chengdu Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning

As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.

Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

Source: AI-found images