Opinion | Hong Kong’s long road to being a smart city must be worth the cost
The government has made a firm commitment to becoming a smart city, but officials need to craft a convincing narrative that the result of their efforts will translate into a better quality of life for residents
The term “smart cities” refers to the use of technology to improve the quality and efficiency of urban public services. Hong Kong’s Smart City Blueprint 2.0 outlines a commitment to becoming a smart city, including in transport, health, education and the environment. With nearly US$200 billion expected to be spent on smart city platforms worldwide this year, it is appropriate to ask whether the idea is worth the price tag.
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The first generation of “smartness” focused primarily on technology applied to government operations and infrastructure functionality. The purpose was efficiency and, in some cases, data collection. The second generation saw a blending of technology and lived experience. In Hong Kong, programs such as “iAM Smart” and Covid-19 tracing apps showed how smart city ideas can be brought directly to people’s daily lives.
In a recent survey, I explored Hong Kong residents’ perceptions about quality-of-life improvements that could be gained from smart cities. Looking across common urban service sectors, I found that trust in the technology is higher than trust in the related policy systems. I also found that respondents’ faith in smart cities was higher for rudimentary issues such as mobility and transport than for more complex issues such as governance transparency and participation.
These findings are common around the world. There is also rising scepticism in some countries about smart city technology itself, particularly where it is seen as an instrument of government control. These trends come at a turning point in technology history. We have now moved to a third generation of smart cities – urban governments using artificial intelligence.
As with most waves of technological advancement, this one did not appear overnight. Versions of AI have operated for years in spaces that are not as visible or useful to the general public. As AI has broadened its applicability, its purpose has evolved from the traditional objectives of engineering optimisation and data collection to improving people’s lives.
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ChatGPT competes with Japanese prime minister for best responses to National Assembly questions
ChatGPT competes with Japanese prime minister for best responses to National Assembly questions
One example of AI is ChatGPT. The effects have been immediate, and – in the case of education, for example – universities are scrambling to establish protocols for what is acceptable use in research and student assignments.
