DPO Hosted Exchange Session on "'AI+' Civil Service: Industry's Role in Reshaping the Government's Approach to Public Service Delivery"

DPO hosted exchange session on "'AI+' Civil Service: Industry's Role in Reshaping the Government's Approach to Public Service Delivery"

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) hosted an exchange session themed "'AI+' Civil Service: Industry's Role in Reshaping the Government's Approach to Public Service Delivery" at the Smart Government Innovation Lab today (August 17). The event brought together Member of the Legislative Council (Technology and Innovation Constituency), Mr Duncan Chiu, and industry representatives to discuss applications of AI in different public administration procedures, project implementation strategies, and innovative thinking in public services. They also explored how industry experience and technologies could be leveraged to support the digital and intelligent transformation of the Government.

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration and Leader of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team (AIEET), Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, said at the event that since its establishment, the AIEET has focused on optimising the workflow of application and waiting time of government services, expediting vetting and complaint handling by departments, strengthening data analysis, and streamlining paperwork, with a view to enhancing the speed, quantity, efficiency and quality of government work through the use of AI technologies. The AIEET has so far facilitated and taken forward the first batch of 30 efficacy enhancement projects across 13 departments aimed for roll-out this year and next year, demonstrating the Government's commitment and capability in driving digital and intelligent transformation. Mr Cheuk encouraged all departments to continue to promote service innovation and performance improvement by leveraging AI, benefitting the public and the society.

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, said that this exchange session helps strengthen communications between the Government and the innovation and technology sector, enabling departments to have a better grasp of the AI solutions available in the market and the experience and approach of implementation, as well as to inspire departments to reshape public services in a pragmatic manner. The DPO will continue to seize the opportunities brought about by AI development and fully align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the "AI+" initiative, supporting departments in leveraging AI and other technologies, while joining hands with the industry to bring better and more efficient public services to members of the public.

Mr Chiu exchanged views with industry representatives from Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud and Huawei Hong Kong & Macau at the event. They shared their experiences in supporting the Government and enterprises in promoting AI adoption and digital intelligence transformation, and introduced use cases across various areas of government services. Participants also had in-depth discussions on real challenges commonly encountered in AI adoption, and explored how suitable AI tools, complemented by technical support, could help departments accelerate the transition from proof-of-concept to practical application.

Industry representatives shared their experiences in promoting AI applications and digital intelligent transformation today (August 17) at the exchange session on "'AI+' Civil Service: Industry's Role in Reshaping the Government's Approach to Public Service Delivery". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, speaks at the exchange session on "'AI+' Civil Service: Industry's Role in Reshaping the Government's Approach to Public Service Delivery" today (August 17). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Digital Policy Office hosted an exchange session themed "'AI+' Civil Service: Industry's Role in Reshaping the Government's Approach to Public Service Delivery" today (August 17). Photo shows the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration and Leader of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing (third right); Member of the Legislative Council (Technology and Innovation Constituency), Mr Duncan Chiu (third left); the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (second right); and representatives from Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud and Huawei Hong Kong & Macao participating in the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing (front row, fifth left), joins a group photo at the exchange session on "'AI+' Civil Service: Industry's Role in Reshaping the Government's Approach to Public Service Delivery" today (August 17). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, speaks at the exchange session on "'AI+' Civil Service: Industry's Role in Reshaping the Government's Approach to Public Service Delivery" today (August 17). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH responds to media enquiries regarding "Heal Fertility Limited"

In response to media enquiries regarding "Heal Fertility Limited" (the centre), which was previously requested to stop accepting new cases for reproductive technology procedures following a Serious Untoward Event involving a mix-up in embryo biopsy specimens, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (October 5) that in light of the confirmation by the Council on Human Reproductive Technology (Council) that the centre has properly implemented all remedial and improvement measures, and has been approved by the Council to fully resume all 17 treatment services covered by its licence from tomorrow (October 6), the DH lifted its earlier directive suspending the centre from accepting new patients for assisted reproductive technology procedures. Starting tomorrow, the centre will be able to fully resume accepting new patients for assisted reproductive technology procedures.

Regarding the centre's failure to report the Serious Untoward Events to the DH within 24 hours of identification, as required by the Code of Practice for Day Procedure Centres (Code of Practice) under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633) (the Ordinance), the DH completed an investigation and issued a press release early last month stating that the centre had implemented a series of improvement measures as directed by the DH to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents and to ensure strict compliance in the future with the Code of Practice, which requires reporting any Serious Untoward Events to the DH within 24 hours of identification. If there is non-compliance to the Code of Practice by licensed private healthcare facilities, the DH will take regulatory action according to the risk level posed by the non-compliance to patient safety.

The DH once again reminded all private healthcare facilities holding licences from the Council to provide reproductive technology procedures that they must strictly comply with the relevant licensing conditions and the Codes of Practice stipulated by the DH and the Council. The DH will continue to monitor the compliance of licensed private healthcare facilities with the requirements of the Ordinance, the licensing conditions, and the Code of Practice, in order to safeguard public safety.

Source: AI-found images