Enjoy benefits of AI, but limit the risks
- Hong Kong must ensure the healthy development of artificial intelligence while seeking to become an innovation and technology hub
The development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow rapidly around the world and the technology is now widely utilised in Hong Kong.
While the benefits of embracing systems such as generative AI tool ChatGPT have, rightly, been heralded, the risks must also be recognised. The world is scrambling to develop guidelines and regulations.
The United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution in March providing for global efforts to ensure AI systems are “safe, secure and trustworthy”. But much work needs to be done to achieve these worthy objectives.
Hong Kong, aiming to become an innovation and technology hub, is seeking to ensure healthy development of the technology, adopting an incremental approach.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has issued guidelines to help businesses ensure their use of AI complies with the law. This is welcome.
Studies have shown that AI usage in the city is higher than other parts of the world, with small and medium enterprises increasingly adopting the tools. There is a clear need for guidance to ensure data privacy is protected.
The privacy watchdog’s framework, compiled with the help of experts and after consultation with stakeholders, provides practical step-by-step measures. It includes advice on governance, risk assessment, management of AI systems, and communication with staff, suppliers, customers, and regulators.
The aim is to mitigate the risks and ensure both transparency and trust. Among the recommendations is the establishment by enterprises of an authoritative internal AI governance committee. Others aim to ensure human oversight and provide for risk assessments.
The guidelines are voluntary and will only prove effective if widely adopted and implemented. Steps will need to be taken by companies to ensure they have the right technology and sufficient expertise to deploy it in a responsible and ethical manner.
Hong Kong is gradually adapting to the new AI era. Amendments to copyright laws are in the pipeline. Other measures are being adopted. The privacy guidelines are a step forward. They form part of a developing framework of guidelines and regulations needed to ensure the city enjoys all the benefits of AI, while limiting the risks.
