Hong Kong’s government plans to introduce an integrated artificial intelligence (AI) management system known as the “AI city brain,” with initial testing targeted for the next typhoon season, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki announced. The system is intended to unify disparate government databases to provide a comprehensive overview of the city’s conditions, particularly in emergency situations.
Chan outlined that the AI city brain will link data from various sources, including traffic management, flood and drainage monitoring, landslide warnings, weather updates, and public inquiries logged through the 1823 hotline. By consolidating this information, the government expects to move away from the current manual coordination among departments, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making during crises such as typhoons.
The project will be built on the government cloud platform and will utilize the Security Bureau’s Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) as its primary operating hub. Chan emphasized that the system would automate data analysis and interdepartmental communication, which presently rely heavily on manual processing.
A task force headed by Chan, comprising members from the Security Bureau, Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, Development Bureau, and Transport and Logistics Bureau, is set to be established by the end of the year. It will oversee the AI city brain’s development and implementation. The first phase of the project has an allocated budget of HK$200 million, which includes enhancements to the 1823 complaint system, aiming to streamline how multi-department complaints are handled using AI to assign lead agencies more efficiently.
Authorities plan to finalize the system’s basic design and begin construction in the first half of next year. The initial development phase is projected to conclude by the first quarter of 2028, with the 1823 system integrated by the third quarter that year. This integration will allow real-time data on emergencies such as fallen trees and floods to be synced directly with the AI city brain.
Chan highlighted that the platform will be trained on historical data to enable predictive analysis, helping identify potential risks and guide preventive actions. He cited extreme weather events as key scenarios where the system could expedite responses and potentially reduce harm.
The government intends for the AI city brain to eventually operate around the clock, not only during typhoons but continuously monitoring urban conditions. Although full operational capacity is expected to take six to nine years to develop, the initial rollout will mark a significant step forward in city management and emergency response.
Concerns over data privacy were addressed by Chan, who assured that the platform would not handle residents’ personal or movement data and would comply fully with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. The use of the government cloud without third-party involvement was described as a strong safeguard for data security.
The AI city brain was announced in Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address last month as part of broader efforts to use technology to enhance governance and emergency preparedness in Hong Kong.