Hong Kong’s government is in the process of testing an AI program similar to ChatGPT designed for its employees. Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry Sun Dong mentioned that the tool, named “document assistance application for civil servants” in Chinese, is being trialed by the government with plans to expand its usage to all departments by the end of the year. The program was developed by a research and development center led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in collaboration with other universities. Sun shared that the program is expected to offer functions like graphics and video design in the future, although its full capabilities compared to ChatGPT are still uncertain. The bureau has not provided further details on the functions of the model.
Sun highlighted the collaboration between industry stakeholders and the government in the development of the AI model, citing the challenges Hong Kong faces in securing support from major tech companies like Microsoft and Google. This initiative comes as part of a broader global race for AI dominance, with China aiming to lead in AI by 2030. However, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, does not support China, including Hong Kong and Macao, among its list of approved countries and territories. The reasons for this exclusion were not explicitly stated by OpenAI, but reports indicate they have reinforced measures to block connections from unauthorized regions starting July 9.
In mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macao, websites and applications like ChatGPT are typically inaccessible due to strict internet censorship. Despite this, determined individuals can utilize virtual private networks to bypass these restrictions. Chinese tech giants such as Alibaba and Baidu have developed AI models akin to ChatGPT with a focus on the Chinese market, adhering to the country’s censorship regulations. Recent reports suggest that China’s cyberspace academy is training an AI chatbot on President Xi Jinping’s ideology, emphasizing the ideological constraints that govern AI models in the country.
