Hong Kong’s digital policy body has called for a ban on generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems that pose threats to human safety and extensive supervision of such software if it must be used in critical infrastructure, as part of new guidelines.
Speaking at the second day of the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit on Tuesday, Commissioner for Digital Policy Tony Wong Chi-kwong announced the city had published the new technical and application guidelines for generative AI tools.
“Its primary objective is to balance AI innovation application and responsibility, thereby constructing a governance framework tailored to the Hong Kong context, with local characteristics for all stakeholders in the AI ecosystem,” he said in a speech.
“We hope the guidelines can facilitate the industry and the public in developing and applying generative AI in a safe and responsible manner, while encouraging innovative application of AI, mitigating risk and fostering the widespread adoption of generative AI in Hong Kong.”
The office earlier commissioned the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Centre, which falls under the government’s InnoHK innovation programme, to research the topic and propose guidelines.
The centre reviewed the technology’s application and the positions taken by various jurisdictions, in addition to gathering feedback from the innovation and technology industry to compile the guidelines covering technologies, developers, service providers and users.
