Government Launches 30 AI Projects to Enhance Public Services by 2026

AI Efficacy Enhancement Team announces implementation of 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects

The Government announced today (August 17) that the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team has so far facilitated and implemented the first batch of 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects (see Annex), which are being rolled out in phases starting from mid-2026.

The first batch of 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects involves 13 departments and includes 10 high-impact flagship projects covering areas closely related to the public and business, such as transport licences, leisure and sports facilities, food business licences, environmental hygiene, complaint handling and environmental protection.

These 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects mainly optimise the workflow of various application processing matters or public service queuing, to make them easier and faster, thereby enhancing users’ experience. For example, the adoption of AI has drastically reduced the processing or waiting time for certain cases by 90 per cent. Meanwhile, some projects have streamlinedinternal government procedures to improve work efficiency. For instance, through AI technology application and/or process re-engineering, the processing time for certain workflow has been compressed from several days to several hours, while the time required for case triage or analysis has also been shortened by half or more.

"The implementation of these projects resulted from the support and efforts by relevant departments. The Team has also established an AI dedicated task force comprising experts in AI and data science from the Digital Policy Office and the Census and Statistics Department. The task force collaborates with leading AI enterprises to assist government departments in taking forward projects in partnership by using AI technology. This arrangement ensures AI applications match with the actual operational needs of departments and new developments and trends of AI," said the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing.

"With the objectives of achieving pragmatic implementation and a swift rollout, we are striving to launch Efficacy Enhancement Projects progressively in 2026 and 2027. Launching these projects within a short period of time reflects the Government’s determination and execution capability in smart transformation.

"The first batch of the projects has also demonstrated the potential in promoting AI across departments. Despite the diverse functions and responsibilities of different departments, there are similarities in daily workplace scenarios, such as online reservations, license applications, audits and assessments, responding to enquiries and environmental monitoring. If a solution could be successfully applied in a pilot department, the relevant experience, technologies and operation models can be extended to other departments and similar work scenarios with suitable adjustments," he said.

The Government will continue to promote further AI adoption, explore more AI application scenarios, replicate and scale up the successful experience from the first batch of the projects to further improve government operational efficiency and service quality, and continuously optimise public services, so that citizens and enterprises can have a real sense of the convenience and benefits brought by digital intelligence transformation.

In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the setting up of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to co-ordinate and steer government departments to effectively apply AI technology to their work, explore process re-engineering, and promote technological reform in departments to improve efficacy. The Team is led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, with the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry as well as Legislative Council Member Mr Duncan Chiu as Deputy Leaders.

Source: AI-found images

Woman convicted of operating unlicensed employment agency

A woman was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for operating an employment agency (EA) without a valid licence in violation of the requirements under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) (EO). The woman was convicted at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (August 17) and was fined $7,000. The court also ordered the woman to refund the service fee of $26,388 to the employer concerned.

In March 2022, the LD received a complaint from an employer. As subsequent investigations revealed sufficient evidence that the woman was operating an EA without a valid licence, the LD took out prosecution against her.

All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining employment for another person or supplying personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations (Cap. 57A). Irrespective of the mode of operation or the types of jobs referred, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities. Except for the EA licence holder or his or her associates, no one shall operate, manage or assist in the management of an EA. Offenders may face prosecution.

The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of licence. The maximum penalty for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commissions from job seekers is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about suspected violations of EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon).

Source: AI-found images