Hong Kong authorities to install AI tech at country parks to spot wildfires, tally visitors. But can it see the wood for the trees?

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department say using AI-based systems can ensure effective management of protected areas and save manpower

‘Management of these areas involves labour-intensive monitoring and surveillance work, such as land and sea patrols, as well as stationing of staff on-site,’ it adds

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A Government Flying Service helicopter drops water on a hill fire in Yuen Long in March. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 11:25am, 8 May 2024Updated: 4:34pm, 8 May 2024

Hong Kong environmental authorities have said they plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) to better detect wildfires and record the number of country park visitors in an effort to conserve manpower.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on Tuesday said that using new technologies could ensure more effective management of protected areas, as past efforts involving physical surveillance used too many staff members.

“Country and marine parks … cover an extensive area of protected natural habitats, mostly at remote locations,” Country Parks Officer Lee Ying-ming told a board of government advisers.

“Management of these areas involves labour-intensive monitoring and surveillance work, such as land and sea patrols, as well as stationing of staff on-site.”

The use of AI-based technologies would allow authorities to more accurately tally the number of visitors entering country parks, better detect wildfires, as well as countering illegal fishing and boat-based speedsters, he added.

The topic was raised when the department’s Country and Marine Parks Board on Tuesday held a meeting to discuss the management of the city’s 32 parks.